Ganassi goes for multi-series Road America sweep

Chip Ganassi's #ilikewinners feeling could reach a new level this weekend.

As the Camping World Truck and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series sit idle, the Xfinity Series will run its final road course race of the season. Sunday afternoon, all eyes will be on the four-mile, 14-turn course at Road America where Ganassi will closely watch No. 42 Chevy of Justin Marks and the No. 48 driven by Brennan Poole.

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A victory by either driver in the Johnsonville 180 will complete a season sweep for Chip Ganassi Racing at the facility. Scott Dixon won the IndyCar race for Ganassi on June 25. Joey Hand and Dirk Muller were victorious in the GTLM class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race on Aug. 6.

"I think this Katerra team has a lot to look forward to at Road America this week," Marks said ahead of what will be only his second start this season. "It took a bit for me to get my bearings again in the Xfinity car at Mid-Ohio [two weeks ago], but by the time we got into the race we had decent speed.  

"Road America is one of my favorite tracks and I think we can build on the speed and performance we had last year at this event. CGR has had an unbelievable year in Elkhart Lake with wins in IndyCar and IMSA. Hopefully, we can make it a clean sweep in 2017."

Last year, Marks was spun on the final lap at Road America while running inside the top five. In 31 Xfinity Series starts, Marks has one victory, which came at Mid-Ohio last season.

Marks put on a clinic on his way to the victory as the rain poured down. The good news for Marks is there is rain in the forecast this weekend.

As for series sophomore Poole, Sunday's race will be his 73rd career start. In the two road course races earlier this year, Poole was 17th at Watkins Glen and eighth at Mid-Ohio. Poole finished third at Road America last season.

"There's just something about Road America that I love racing at the place. It has this feel and energy that comes from the fans, which is great," Poole said. "I got my best road course finish of third last year, so I'm a little biased.

"It would huge for our team to sweep all of the major races at Road America this year. Everyone has worked so hard to have this opportunity to even be able to do this."

Chip Ganassi Racing enters the weekend with three Xfinity Series wins this year. All have come courtesy of Kyle Larson at Auto Club Speedway, Richmond and Dover.