Racing's Area 51: Chip Ganassi's Secret Testing Tunnel

I recently covered this topic briefly on my NASCAR Iceberg series, however, I wanted to take a more in depth look at some of these dark stories and conspiracies around NASCAR. Today we're taking a look at Chip Ganassi's secret testing tunnel for his Indycar, NASCAR, and IMSA teams.
Racing's Area 51: Chip Ganassi's Secret Testing Tunnel - The Laurel Hill Tunnel
Special thanks to these websites for information, graphics, and images:
(Technical Deep Dive) www.racecar-engineering.com/t...
www.roadandtrack.com/motorspo...
sometimes-interesting.com/tun...
www.racecar-engineering.com/r...
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I do not own any of the footage in this video, all credit goes to the respective owners: NASCAR, NASCAR Media Group, Fox, NBC, NBC Sports, ESPN.

[@jesdavetravel8592]

Wow the sound inside that tunnel would be insane!

[@thomabb]

I've heard it from the outside. I can't imagine being inside.

[@TWOhype23]

I’d love to be in there!

[@404TVfr]

@@TWOhype23 you really wouldn't lol

[@corvettemode1556]

Props to Chip honestly. Doing absolutely anything he can to win

[@dalebrooks304]

It's called cheating

[@user-hr2zy7ct8h]

Causing people to get carbon monoxide poisoning?

[@jackwilbur9419]

@@dalebrooks304 how is that cheating

[@dalebrooks304]

@@jackwilbur9419 it's cheating because NASCAR has allotted test dates and times. Does one of the smaller teams have their own secret test tunnel? I think not. A big dollar operation probably does and how would that be fair?

[@corvettemode1556]

@@dalebrooks304 news flash. Everyone in nascar try’s to cheat. If you don’t try, you run in the back. Words from Dale Jr himself

[@xtlm]

I think that explains a lot with the Indycar dominance around those years. They had 6 championships from 08-15

[@ic3man]

Andretti 2012 Ryan Hunter-Reay Penske 2014 Will Power

[@threadtapwhisperer5136]

The Ilmor-Mercedes engine years? Those badass super grey area engines that made way WAY more powrr than all the other indycars? Or is this a different era?

[@nascarplanet9858]

Oh damn I did not know this.shit that's domination in my book.havent been watching indy forever like nascar but I recognize domination.

[@xtlm]

@@threadtapwhisperer5136 This is like 15 years after that (That was like 94, this was from like 05-15)

[@gullreefclub]

@@threadtapwhisperer5136 different era

[@FrostFire1310]

This is the most hilarious thing, I've never heard of this before. God I love Chip

[@TomM73]

The tunnel is actually being used by Chip Ganassi Racing, just don't know how frequent anymore.

[@IanTheMotorsportsMan_YT]

We must raid into Chip Ganassi’s Area 51 Tunnel

[@SUPRA23XI]

Yas

[@L9ne_Wlf]

They can't stop us all

[@carterhealy]

Lol

[@nascarplanet9858]

I'm a racecar driver with a felony I can't go but I'll help with the plan

[@ls_812]

@@nascarplanet9858 once you got one felony what's two felonies? Unless you're in the process of trying to get one expunged.!

[@LifeofSmickolas]

Matt Dibenedetto talked about the tunnel in his old podcast and testing for Chip Xfinity car years ago

[@Left-Foot-Brake]

I first read about that tunnel about 20 years ago. They had NASCAR Goodyear tires bundled together as crash barriers... all for coast-down testing.

[@zachschoeneman5638]

I've been exploring down that way at the abandoned Rays Hill and Sideling tunnels, unfortunately the Laurel Hill one you aren't allowed at but it's cool to know they did this stuff down there.

[@zachschoeneman5638]

also should mention this is in Southern Pennsylvania not Northern Pennsylvania, it's near the Maryland border

[@kyleschafer6275]

@@zachschoeneman5638 *southwest PA, I would like to visit but I live on the other side of the state.

[@liquidfiretibby]

@@zachschoeneman5638 i wouldnt call it near the MD border

[@TheBillybbaugh]

@@liquidfiretibby i live in MD and its less than an hour drivew from here.. most of that drive is in MD

[@liquidfiretibby]

@@TheBillybbaugh thats great but the PA Turnpike is NOT in MD. The majority of it is a solid 20+ miles NORTH of the border

[@kellystewart3468]

I worked for Nascar race teams for ten years. I took a car to this tunnel for Gannasi for testing. It was very interesting and the crew members had to be trained in rescue and wearing oxygen tanks in case of an accident during testing. It was mostly to collect data and learn about changes made to the cars.

[@SavouryLobster]

It must've been so loud in there. Cool story though! Pretty interesting idea from chip

[@kellystewart3468]

@@SavouryLobster the tunnel had roll up doors and turn tables on each end. The doors stayed closed and the tunnel had exhaust fans drawing out exhaust fumes. The car would be set up and readied for a run, open the roll up door and exit into tunnel. The car would run through the gears at speed through the tunnel, decelerate, turn around and run back. Once the door opened and car entered the set up area, computers were hooked up and download data collected. Sensors were placed all over the car collected travels and other data. Pretty interesting set up

[@SavouryLobster]

@@kellystewart3468 Wow thanks for the insight! Very interesting stuff.

[@baby-sharkgto4902]

That's awesome, I know I would love my own personal place like that for testing!

[@dakotaautosales9673]

@@baby-sharkgto4902 Yeah you would🧁

[@stevebuscemi3622]

Holy Shit I passed this tunnel several times and never knew....

[@sethp0411]

That sound through the woods wow. Goosebumps.

[@sithyarael6807]

Loved the JPM he is the only one in NASCAR that took out jet dryer and shut the race down for like 3-4 hours cleanup.

[@sandysmithvideos228]

Ganassi's Dad, Floyd, owned Davidson Sand and Gravel and sold out for 67 million in 1990 funding Chip's racing aspirations. Chip spent months in a coma following his 1983 crash at Michigan and bought into the Pat Patrick race operation. Of course he would have access to road maintenance equipment in the Pittsburgh area to get the tunnel road back in shape for high speed runs. Also the narrator says it is in Northern PA, CORRECTION, Southwest PA, about 50 miles from south and east of Pittsburgh.

[@mrc209]

And the connections with the State/Turnpike Commission to acquire the tunnel in the first place.

[@gregj831]

Whatever the case, Ganassi's Indy Cars are much faster than anyone else at Indianapolis. They'd have easily finished 1-2-3 if not for Dixon and Palou's pit miscues.

[@DaMurphMurph]

Correct, I’m from MD just south of this area. I was highly confused by the “Northern PA”, especially since I wouldn’t even consider Lancaster in Northern PA.

[@danielfoster3642]

This used to be one of seven tunnels on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. All the tunnels had one lane when the PA Turnpike opened in 1940. But as travel on the Turnpike grew, traffic jams became a problem. In the late 1960s, all the tunnels were either twinned or bypassed, which was the case of the Laurel Hill Tunnel. This resulted in this becoming "the lost abandoned Turnpike tunnel", unless your name's Chip Ganassi. He brought the tunnel back to life in the early-to-mid 2000s for tests of his racecars.

[@zacharywigans4738]

Anyone else perturbed by him calling OSHA O.S.H.A? Great video other than that, but tell me you've never worked manual labor in the US without telling me haha

[@chevyon37s]

Extremely! I almost didn’t know what he was talking about for a second.

[@TwoAMBlacktop]

Especially when he called them THE O.S.H.A. lol.

[@MrChrisalf2004]

Here in the UK if something has initials (eg M.R.S.A) we pronounce the letters rather than inventing a word ("Merrser").

[@DaMurphMurph]

He also incorrectly stated the location, this is in the very south western corner of PA, less than 30 minutes from MD. Also something less important but still notable, he said wind tunnels are just stationary, but there are many wind tunnels throughout the US that have a rolling belt to replicate actual driving, as well as adjustability of air temp and density.

[@AlanWiltsie]

This might be my favorite video you've ever done! Awesome job!

[@coldhardart]

It's funny cause if you look it up on Google maps you can still see all the steel shell building and all the race tires piled up outside

[@Twinspinner]

Please tell me I'm not the only one that thought "SECRET TUNNELLLLL, SECRET TUNNELLLLLL, THROUGH THE MOUNTAINNNNN"

[@MustangChuck]

No I thought about it too lol.

[@robinheil]

I didn't know this story. What a treat to hear it presented so well

[@u-wot-n8]

I grew up near this tunnel, and actually hiked the tunnel as a kid before ganassi started testing there, I've always heard rumors about it, this is super cool to hear

[@ssdandp]

Such a cool story! I remember that road and track article! Thanks for putting this together!

[@TheBillybbaugh]

i live near the tunnel, theres actually 3 tunnels there in that old stretch of the pa turnpike. ive even walked through one of them, it was over a mile long. they have a service tunnel that runs above the road tunnel and they were equipped with fans on the ends to move out the exhaust from the cars. very interesting place!

[@billiebobbienorton2556]

Because the tunnel floods so often, Ganassi announced after he'll close it so it can be re-decorated in a Venetian motif. He'll open restaurants, small shops and bring some of his family from Italy to guide the gondolas. Expect the grand opening in the spring of 2024. More details to follow.

[@billiebobbienorton2556]

@@RustBeltRailfan He said he'll use Ragu sauce. He said "authentic" Italian food does not go with Prego source...🤣. Thank you!

[@jlcritch3718]

I live really close to the location of the tunnel and have hiked to see it multiple times whereas its a short forest hike just off the Penn Turnpike. My most recent hike I did hear noise coming from inside not of racing engines but of equipment being moved with lifts.

[@thinkandrepent3175]

This is amazing, the wind tunnel has always been a component of any competitive team in motorsports but Ganassi took it to the next level!!

[@gregj831]

It's clearly paying off because his cars were WAY FASTER than anyone else at Indianapolis. They'd have easily finished 1-2-3 if Dixon and Palou hadn't been penalized and Ericsson blew by O'Ward and Rosenquist like they spots on the fence.

[@Ligmaengaged]

Very intriguing. Nice vid!

[@D3Vlicious]

Just a heads up, a similar tunnel testing facility now exists in the UK called the Catesby Tunnel. It borrows a lot from the Laurel Hill tunnel, also being built on an abandoned rail tunnel, though isn't built by a race team but look to be open to testing for various clients.

[@motojojo_]

100% correct

[@knuppy6902]

I grew up and still live right by the tunnel! I remember as a little kid riding quads and dirt bikes in the tunnel. Still take a ride down around the tunnel from time to time

[@yukikosugami1842]

So did Trackhouse gain access to the tunnel when they bought Chip's NASCAR operation?

[@stevejensen8874]

Probably not because Chip Ganassi racing still races in Indycar and IMSA they don't race nascar anymore but are still very much a legitimate business

[@bender7565]

I knew he had a facility in the tunnel but i assumed it was a 'private' wind tunnel. Blasting cars down that skinny little tunnel is insane! That would be some great video.

[@TrailsVonMudder]

0:24 - it is definitely not in northern PA, it is in southwestern PA

[@Jt7166]

I'm a western PA native and I've never heard of this until now. Very cool.

[@tedecker3792]

Mountain bikes through one of those tunnels in 91 or 92. It was quite long and slightly curved. So pitch dark that white socks would glow from the traces of phosphorus used in laundry detergent.

[@nathanjarrell6479]

Nice video. Thanks for sharing

[@stewpuddy4161]

Nice video bud. Never heard about this!

[@derek2380]

Been to these tunnels. Awesome experience.

[@rickcski8082]

I worked for Chip for a few years. I spent a weekend at the LHT testing a new system we built for the test car. Back then, the team had a car specifically used for testing. That was 15 years ago. Not sure how they test today.

[@keithqueen3554]

Spent 30 years trucking across the pa pike .saw trucks going into the tunnel on multiple occasions. Right past the 101 mm.pretty cool

[@craigbrown5359]

Brilliant and creative!!!

[@chrispraz877]

Cool stuff. Great story.

[@brobropro_]

This is awesome to learn about

[@nascarplanet9858]

Ya this is cool I watched it twice in a row

[@brunotulliani]

That is simply awesome.....I need me a tunnel!

[@Roestikrokette]

3:47 its always cool to see the sauber f1 team windtunnel as a example for windtunnels. these tunnel and the factory is just about 5miles away from my hometown :)

[@The_ZeroLine]

As a longtime F1 fan, I was blown away when that thing debuted. It was a major factor in convincing BMW to buy them. F1 has the most advanced engineers, but often lack the creative/make-do or out of the box thinking American racing teams often display. They can do a lot more for a lot less.

[@dr.jackkevorkian1119]

Subbed Dope vid

[@lucky-rowe2623]

Cool. Never heard about this.

[@tIhIngan]

That's pretty cool!

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

Driving those cars through the tunnel would be spine tingling

[@S_marengo]

I got to know Darren Manning a few years ago, he told me some wild stories about testing here

[@flintr6521]

VERY COOL!!!!!

[@OhItsThat]

This is so cool.

[@slipster17]

In regards to where in the state this is - it's pretty far west - almost to Pittsburgh. Laurel Hill Tunnel lies beside I-76 between Somerset, PA and Donegal, PA (The other two abandoned tunnels are muuuuch farther east between Breezewood, PA and Hustontown, PA). The Laurel Hill tunnel is roughly the same latitude as Philadelphia, so it's not really close at all to the MD border.

[@PDaddy44]

No biggie but it’s 41 miles from the MD border according to google maps. My Dad grew up in Reading, PA and relocated to Pittsburgh before I or my siblings where born. Used to go through the tunnel multiple times a year until the rerouted the PA Turnpike. Definitely South Western PA.

[@RollerCoasterLineProductions]

Southwest Pa - my neck of the woods.

[@RubenHernandez-lx1ej]

Does the ex-worker know that he’s allowed to get osha involved anonymously? And if they fire him for bringing osha to the facility, the owners can go to court.

[@minzahhh1]

Hahaha you just fire them for other reasons.... Co own a landscaping company and let me tell you one remark about osha kiss yah job goodbye mate I'll just have another guy say you swore at him to cover my ass haha

[@TWOhype23]

@@minzahhh1 haha no wonder people don’t wanna work

[@JC-dr8ev]

@@minzahhh1 yes! One mention of OSHA or union in a non union state, and you’re gone. Don’t like the conditions- work somewhere else

[@user-wz1qo1cn3i]

Within this decade, the Turnpike commission plans to bypass the Allegheny Mountain tunnels, there are 2 of them and they are more than a mile long. Could one reason for this bypass be that there is some kind of plan for those tunnels like there is with Laurel Hill? I would not be surprised if there was.

[@KinuGrove]

Would be nice to see some photos or video inside the tunnel.

[@captaintoyota3171]

Genius idea.

[@brandonemerick7372]

I used to go there twice a year and knock the weeds down on the bank with my buddy and his dad. Pretty cool place, never got to go inside though.

[@josephgooch1451]

Imagine you’re just chilling on a hike and all of a sudden you hear what sounds like crank it up on Fox echoing throughout the hills 😬🙂

[@NotProFishing]

Im almost positive that is the tunnel entrance from Who Framed Roger Rabbit

[@catdaddy2402]

The thing is, when OSHA is called in they are always going to find something wrong to fine you for. Nobody wants OSHA to come visit their facility for anything.

[@chesspiece81]

Wouldn't the tunnel have some impact on the aerodynamics since the air is more contained versus on the surface? I guess what I'm asking is being contained in a tunnel wouldn't the air perform differently since the wash off the vehicle was encapsulated somewhat. Just curious is all.

[@motojojo_]

It comes down to the size of the tunnel, if the tunnel is large enough then the pressure wave is minimised to the point of being negligible

[@liquidfiretibby]

ive been to the other tunnels on the TP that are abandoned

[@jerseyshoredroneservices225]

How did I never hear about this??? I never really thought that Chip was that dedicated to doing well. I guess he was more dedicated than I gave him credit for.

[@mabelpup8502]

Huh? He owns multiple cars in different disciplines. Do you think he half assed it?

[@jerseyshoredroneservices225]

@@mabelpup8502 I had the impression that he liked racing but primarily did it as a business to make money rather than putting more emphasis on winning.

[@ryancole7376]

@@jerseyshoredroneservices225I’ve heard pretty much the opposite from a few ppl who have worked on one of his indycar teams. Chip is a ruthless winner

[@MLV3645]

This has been known for YEARS !

[@jamesholcombe435]

Hmm there used to be a same hookup at DeI in Mooresville that earnhardt Sr developed. Must have been moved.

[@johndavenport5820]

Why? the annoying MUSIC.

[@launchtv3863]

I never knew chip had a doomsday tunnel. He could test during the apocalypse

[@AntiVaganza]

Great story but just a plea; consider not saying "we will never know" to bookend every instance of what you don't know right now;). I am sure you did your best to research this but some day, someone will spill the beans on who was there, what they did and how much they feel they benefitted in a podcast or book. Maybe Chip himself as most others may be under an NDA. Just a minor thing - besides that, great story:)

[@alexgiangreco3754]

I really don't see how much data can be gleaned from 400m at 130 mph for cars that regularly go faster for farther. I'm sure they picked up something but I just don't see how it could be a huge advantage for aero

[@jbuckshot01]

I thought the testing limitations is on active tracks they race on. .this is private property. And not a used racetrack. If I'm wrong please enlighten me so I know better. But if it's his private property can't he test there??? Again guys if I wrong let me know

[@ericandchocosluss5723]

wow real auto racing Area 51

[@xdashx4962]

seeecret tunnel!

[@thebwoah]

I’ve actually been through there. Being a person who loves nascar and abandoned stuff. I’m actually from PA, and biking through there is actually kinda creepy. You can’t really get far though, as you lose cell service. If you don’t know where I comes out, you will just be lost. It’s actually deemed to be haunted and stuff. Don’t know if you can still ride through there, but if you could, you should check it out.

[@TrailsVonMudder]

different location from the other accessible abandoned tunnels near Breezewood, but from the same era

[@jerseyshoredroneservices225]

Lost w/o cell service??? The kids these days LOL

[@miriamreiss]

I highly doubt that Toyota F1 would have used this tunnel. They had their own windtunnel, which was state of the art back then, in Cologne, Germany. And in the days Toyota was in F1, there hasn't been any time restriction to use it or to go to any track for testing. Also a few other, smaller teams, used that facility in Cologne for developing and testing new parts.

[@lewispaine4589]

Guy is a legend

[@TheNubimusic]

Take a drink every time he says "tunnel"

[@Slushiebop]

Isn't the tunnel unblocked now? I been thinking of riding with my dad down some old parts of Super highways that still exist so I can get good photgraphs

[@jpf1974]

Not this one

[@zane_meek7736]

1:51 that genuinely sounded like a cup car

[@theginganinja-_-7695]

I can’t believe how low key this was kept. I’ve known about this forever.

[@carterhealy]

Can you do more worst wreaks at a single track

[@scottyo64]

What?

[@jimardizoni3453]

A lot of teams have air flow testing ability, but who has one large enough to job out to aerospace and tractor manufacturers no Flys. On chip when it comes to making money

[@lenholloway4390]

Why is the sound level so low?

[@aszilagyi100]

I think your assessment at the end of the video is completely wrong. This is essentially a coast down test facility indoors. Although it’s a bit dangerous when it comes clean airflow for the drivers. The information gathered is extremely important and is a huge tool for both training employees and engineers. And provides an extremely important baseline for speed

[@HisBortness]

I love Chip so much.

[@jxetv5049]

I'd bet ALL my money that he aint the only one doing something like this hahaha...

[@toddduncan6591]

I reckon it was a 'poor mans' wind tunnel used to save costs. * i understand Chip is not poor.

[@Dexter-nw2fe]

Background piano song?

[@jimbodabimbo1483]

I've seen this location on Post 10's channel

[@TheBullet51]

this tunnel is not in northern PA......the turnpike crosses the southern part of state connecting Pittsburgh to the cities east......

[@aaronarcee]

The secret is this,.. inside a mountain really any mountain is a special kind of air and "energy" how this affects the telemetry not sure, but most certainly the sensitivities of the instruments are stronger whether they were manipulating temperature or not.

[@ChaosZero.]

I mean, being in a tunnel is like being underground, air is much cooler, so engine and tires work better. That's not a secret, that's basic physics knowledge.

[@Cjdanks448]

@@ChaosZero. it's not like being underground,it is underground but yes you are right 👍

[@pat36a]

Don't think there's any different energy, just the opposite. Inside a mountain would shield from any sort of interferences , instruments could be calculated more precisely, readings would be precise and repeatable. It would take a huge Air Handling system to be able to manipulate the environment inside of it though.

[@user-wz1qo1cn3i]

@@pat36a Maybe they used the original blowers located at the front of the tunnel, but they blew air into the tunnel to go out tunnel opening.

[@julo7138]

It looks like the same tunnel from the opening scene of "The road" with Viggo Mortensen?

[@jpf1974]

Not this tunnel but it was one on another stretch of the abandoned PA Turnpike.

[@amberhawke]

That was the Rays Hill Tunnel, which itself is close to Sideling Hill Tunnel, roughly around Turnpike mile-marker 166-170.

[@Billhatestheinternet]

Would have been cool had they deliberately attempted (and succeeded) to drive the car on the ceiling; kinda a Mythbusters thing after all of these years of pundits saying that it was physically possible. Imagine a car going full on Men In Black, like a bloody fighter jet. Looking at you Red Bull (this is the very kind of insanity they would try, especially considering there is a place for them to do it).

[@jonmancill6824]

I've been waiting for someone, as in a TV show, red bull team, stuntman exhibition, ect., to pull off or at least attempt this for 20 years ever since I heard it could be done. I've envisioned it in my head to see how awesome it would be for someone to build a straight away the length of say 10 miles. To have the straightaway sort of start twisting up so that the car would eventually be running on what we would say is the ceiling. How awesome would that be

[@OldStreetDoc]

It’s obviously NOT a ‘tube’. If anything it’s a ‘half-tube’. There is NO way Manning or anyone else “climbed up the wall” or “almost drove upside down”. They never removed the MASSIVE amount of material needed to have made the tunnel a true cylindrical or concentric circle shape. Photos that you showed illustrate a flat or relatively flat road surface with the half circle shape of a normal tunnel enclosing it. This means the wall of the tunnel’s road surface is met by a nearly vertical surface that is already curving towards the center. If anything, hitting the wall would force you back towards the road surface. It’s a fascinating thing Chip did here, and maybe not legal in the truest sense of the sporting regs… but no one drove up the wall of a tunnel there.

[@jpf1974]

Yes he did. Too me himself at a racing trade show. It doesn’t have to be a tube to climb the wall. His car rode up the vertical sidewall when he lost control and ended up at almost a 90 degree angle riding the wall for about 200 feet before coming back down and breaking the left front suspension and coming to rest against the opposite wall.

[@Indy1977TX]

Where did you get your 2004 Dallara story from because TCGR ran G-Force chassis in all of 2003 and 2004!? Also, the car at 3:05 is a Lola from IndyCar’s rival series, ChampCar. ChampCars did not have air boxes as they were turbocharged.

[@garypic4083]

Ohsa lol back in 1970 I was working in a factory Ohsa came in told my Italian boss he had to fix a bunch of things, boss told him you ever come back here I'll have you fixed lol. Never saw ohsa again.

[@tomjones4835]

Callin OSHA is basically threatening to have you shut down

[@gregj831]

Whatever is going on, Chip Ganassi's Indy Cars are WAY FASTER than everyone at Indy. Nobody can touch them.

[@jerredwayne8401]

The o.s.h.a? Never heard it spelled out like that. I've always heard ot called osha

[@fitchmultz]

upgraded mic would be great

[@Capydachi]

Wait, I actually know about this tunnel because of Post10