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INDYCAR: Kanaan Snubs Ganassi, Signs Five-Year AGR Extension
Robin Miller reports Tony Kanaan pulls out of negotiations with Ganassi to sign a five-year extension with Andretti Green Racing.
Robin Miller  |  Posted August 07, 2008   Indianapolis, IN

Chip Ganassi wanted Tony Kanaan and the 2004 IRL champion was frustrated with the apparent direction of Andretti Green Racing. But AGR avoided any chance of losing its leader Thursday by getting him to agree to a new deal.

"I went to bed on Wednesday night thinking about my career options but when I woke up Thursday morning I was convinced I wanted to stay with my guys at AGR," said Kanaan on Thursday night. "I decided to stay with AGR and 7-Eleven and it's a good contract that should be my last one in Indy cars."

Ganassi, who said he began negotiating with the 2004 IRL champion on Aug. 2, claims he was floored by the news.

"It's unbelievable," said Ganassi. "I talked to him (Kanaan) on Wednesday night and he said we were fine, we were great and we're a go.

"Then I get a call from his agent who says Tony has flipped and he's staying with AGR. He said something about Tony not liking one of the clauses in the contract but I didn't change anything."

SPEEDTV.com reported late Wednesday that Ganassi was poised to sign Kanaan for 2009. This news still leaves Dan Wheldon's status up in the air, as the 2005 Indy winner's contract with Ganassi is up at the end of the season. The IndyCar series begin practice this morning at Kentucky Speedway for Saturday night's race.
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