Chip Ganassi apologizes for ‘unfortunate’ accident involving Devlin DeFrancesco’s dog at 24 Hours at Daytona

Chip Ganassi, owner and CEO of Chip Ganassi Racing, took to X Tuesday to apologize for the “unfortunate” accident which took place at the Rolex 24 at Daytona this past weekend.

Ganassi confirmed to Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press Monday that he accidentally ran over and killed Devlin DeFrancesco’s golden retriever puppy, Lucky, in the motorhome lot. The 65-year-old said in response he’s making a “generous donation” to the Indianapolis Humane Society.

The accident the other night with Devlin DeFrancesco’s dog was so unfortunate. I not only feel terrible about it I also feel terrible for Devlin, Katie and the DeFrancesco kids. On behalf of their dog Lucky and the DeFrancesco family I am making a generous donation to the…

— Chip Ganassi (@GanassiChip) January 30, 2024

“The accident the other night with Devlin DeFrancesco’s dog was so unfortunate,” Ganassi wrote. “I not only feel terrible about it I also feel terrible for Devlin, Katie and the DeFrancesco kids. On behalf of their dog Lucky and the DeFrancesco family I am making a generous donation to the Indianapolis Humane Society.”

Ganassi told Fryer he spoke to four different police officers after the accident. He attempted to reach out to DeFrancesco and his family, but all calls have gone unanswered.

“It was imperative for me to speak to Chip before I could responsibly give more details because it is my understanding this was a wildly chaotic scene, and very different versions from both sides about the moments after Lucky was struck,” Fryer said in her report.

Devlin DeFrancesco responds to Chip Ganassi’s apology

Andy DeFrancesco, Devlin’s father, wrote the following on X after Lucky’s death.

“It’s a crime that anyone has to go through this and Lucky had to suffer the way he did,” he wrote. “It’s unconscionable people don’t acknowledge their actions or show any remorse.”

Devlin DeFrancesco penned a response to Ganassi’s apology on his X account.

“I want to personally thank @GanassiChip for his apology to myself, my parents, my siblings and Katie,” he wrote. “Nothing will be able to bring Lucky back or make the pain go away but I would also like to say thank you to Chip for his donation to the Humane Society of Indianapolis. In support of other dogs/puppies in a city that is so important to me. Where I spend a lot of my time doing what I love with great people.”