
via Getty
SONOMA, CA – JUNE 24: Team owner Chip Ganassi speaks at a press conference prior to practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 24, 2016 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Chris Trotman/NASCAR via Getty Images)

via Getty
SONOMA, CA – JUNE 24: Team owner Chip Ganassi speaks at a press conference prior to practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 24, 2016 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Chris Trotman/NASCAR via Getty Images)
tFor 24-year-old race car driver Devlin DeFrancesco, the Rolex 24 at the Daytona International Speedway brought back fond memories. He won the race in 2022 and was also looking to do the same this time. However, those memories were soon turned to sorrow as news emerged that his beloved dog, Lucky, had been killed in an accident. It was later revealed that NASCAR stalwart Chip Ganassi was the inadvertent culprit.
It was revealed that Lucky was run over in the motorhome lot. Upon hearing the tragic news, DeFrancesco shared a somber Instagram story, mourning the loss of his golden retriever puppy.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Chip Ganassi was being ghosted by Devlin DeFrancesco
It took some time before the unintentional wrongdoer’s identity was confirmed. According to the tweet shared by journalist Jenna Fryer, Chip Ganassi was the one who was responsible for the unfortunate incident. He reportedly spoke to police personnel at the Daytona International Speedway and even tried calling Devlin DeFrancesco several times, but to no avail.
It wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine the 24-year-old being too distraught to talk to anybody at the time, especially the person ultimately responsible. What is unclear is whether the two have spoken since the incident, but from what has been reported, Chip Ganassi has tried to do whatever he can to make up for his actions. It still may not be enough, though.
“Chip Ganassi has confirmed to me that he accidentally hit Devlin’s dog, says he did stop his car and is “terribly sad about it.” He says he spoke to four different police officers on site that evening. He said his multiple attempts to call the DeFrancesco’s have gone unanswered,” read the tweet by Jenna Fryer.
Chip Ganassi has confirmed to me that he accidentally hit Devlin's dog, says he did stop his car and is "terribly sad about it." He says he spoke to four different police officers on site that evening. He said his multiple attempts to call the DeFrancesco's have gone unanswered. https://t.co/PYnbHhLRGo
— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) January 29, 2024
Ganassi may be feeling a lot of guilt over his actions, but not all fans spoke up against the motorsports veteran. Some fans on X blamed Devlin DeFrancesco for leaving his puppy unsupervised in a place as chaotic as the Daytona International Speedway on the Rolex 24 weekend.
Trending
Devastated IMSA racer shares heartfelt post of lost friend
Losing a dog is tough, regardless of whose fault it may be. Some people may blame Devlin DeFrancesco for not keeping an eye on his pet but now would not be the appropriate time to do so. The 24-year-old driver shared a heartfelt post on Instagram after his beloved four-legged friend tragically left the world far too early. He shared three pictures, two of just Lucky and one of himself with his golden retriever.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“I’m going to miss you more than you know. Thank you for being my best friend. I love you more than anything in the world. I’ll see you on the other side, until we meet again,” the caption read. It touched the hearts of fans who expressed their condolences in the comments section of the post.
View this post on Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Devlin DeFrancesco must be devastated by how things transpired. Something like this will not be easy to get over but the Canadian race car driver will be hoping that it does not affect how he performs on track.
WATCH THIS STORY: Kenny Wallace thanks 66-year-old NASCAR veteran
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT