(Jan. 2006)--Andy Graves was the first person Chip Ganassi hired after he purchased controlling interest of Team Sabco from Felix Sabates during the 2000 season. In 2000, Ganassi hired Graves to help oversee his open wheel program's return to the Indianapolis 500. Graves partnered with driver Juan Montoya, who dominated the race and captured the team's first Indianapolis 500 title.

In August of 2000, Graves was named the team manager for Ganassi's NASCAR NEXTEL Cup teams, overseeing the entire program along side team manager Tony Glover. During his tenure as team manager at Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, the organization has amassed five wins, six poles, 52 top-five and 134 top-10 finishes.

Graves made an immediate impact on the team as Sterling Marlin gave the newly formed organization its first NASCAR NEXTEL Cup victory in 2001 and finished third in the standings. Marlin kicked off 2002 with two wins and led the driver standings for 25 consecutive weeks before an accident sidelined him for the remainder of the season. The organization, led by Graves and Glover, didn't miss a beat. Jamie McMurray, who was picked to replace the injured Marlin for the balance of that year, won his first-career NASCAR race at Lowe's Motor Speedway in just his second Cup start, setting a NASCAR record by earning his first career victory in just two starts.

The team experienced growing pains during the 2003 season. With the addition of a third team and two rookie drivers, Graves worked to make all three teams successful. Rookie McMurray moved to the Texaco/Havoline Dodge, while Sterling Marlin returned to his Coors Light Dodge healthy and ready to race. Rookie Casey Mears was named the new driver of the Target Dodge, and for the first time in NEXTEL Cup history, a team had two rookies competing for Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors. The teams earned one pole, six top-fives and 25 top-10s that season while McMurray captured the rookie title.

The team had several successes during the 2004 season. Under the direction of Graves and Glover, McMurray and Mears came back strong for their sophomore seasons. McMurray finished 11th in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series standings with an impressive nine top-five and 23 top-10 finishes. McMurray also gave the team its first Busch Series win at Phoenix driving the No. 41 Discount Tire Dodge. Mears won back-to-back poles at Pocono and Indianapolis to become the first driver since 1964 to post his first two career NASCAR NEXTEL Cup poles in consecutive races. He accomplished this while also setting a new track record at the famed Brickyard. Marlin brought home the one victory for the team, winning the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Open at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May. The teams amassed two poles, 14 top-five and 40 top-10 finishes.

The 2005 season was an eventful one for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. The shop was busy preparing three NEXTEL Cup Dodges and a full-time Busch Series entry, as well as the occasional fourth NEXTEL Cup car for drivers David Stremme, Reed Sorenson and road course ace Scott Pruett. The No. 41 Busch Series Dodge, piloted by Sorenson, finished fourth in the standings with two wins, two poles, 12 top-five and 19 top-10 finishes. The NEXTEL Cup Series teams recorded one pole, nine top-fives and 25 top-10s that season.

Graves got his start in NASCAR in 1988 when he obtained his first full-time mechanic job working with NASCAR Modified driver Doug Heveron. He was paired with future NASCAR NEXTEL Cup champion Jeff Gordon in 1989 when he became the chief mechanic for Gordon's USAC Sprint car. Graves joined Hendrick Motorsports at the end of the season in 1990, and began an illustrious career at Hendrick that spanned 10 years. He launched the formation of the Hendrick Research and Development Department in 1991. Then in 1993 he joined the No. 24 team as chassis specialist, and was once again paired with his roommate and friend Jeff Gordon as well as crew chief Ray Evernham. Graves became assistant crew chief for driver Terry Labonte in 1994 and won the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Championship with him in 1996. He got his first opportunity to crew chief in 1997 working with Ricky Craven and the No. 25 car earning four top-five finishes. Graves reunited with Labonte in 1998 for two seasons to serve as crew chief for the No. 5. The team posted two wins, six top-fives and 21 top-10 finishes, as well as winning the 1999 Winston.