CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 21: Chase Elliott, driver of the #24 3M Chevrolet, and Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, battle for the finish in the third segment of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sprint Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 21, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
Sabates’ group for bid on NFL Panthers includes 2 race car drivers
Racing News
Two race car drivers are a part of a group looking to bid on Carolina Panthers; More interested
Last week, it was speculated that Brian France was leading a group to purchase the Carolina Panthers NFL team. The France organization denied that NASCAR CEO had any involvement.
However, Felix Sabates, part owner of Chip Ganassi Racing is certainly part of a high-profile group looking to place a bid on the Charlotte based NFL team.
He’s not the biggest investor in the group, per his own statement. However, the group does feature multiple personalities from the NASCAR world.
Felix Sabates has now approached Marcus Smith, the CEO of Speedway Motorsports Inc. His company, founded by Bruton Smith, operates 8 NASCAR tracks including Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Sabates is stacking his corner. He stated to the Charlotte Observer regarding Speedway Motorsports Inc, “they are very interested in joining our group.”
The high profile group includes five businessmen. Additionally, the group includes 2 race car drivers, which went unnamed.
You could assume those two race car drivers are from the NASCAR circuit. Sabates also has ties to the Verizon INDYCAR Series.
Sabates is a co-owner of Chip Ganassi Racing. The organization operates multiple team in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (as Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates), IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, World Endurance Championship and the Verizon IndyCar Series.
Though, one would assume that the two drivers would be from the Charlotte area, thus also from the NASCAR world.
Previously, Sabates owned a NASCAR team under the name SABCO Racing. In 2000, that team was absorbed as Sabates partnered with Chip Ganassi.
Sabates added that he was not the majority owner of the organization looking to place a big on the NFL team. In his words, ‘By a long shot.”