John Andretti gets Daytona ride; Front Row aligns with Earnhardt Ganassi
By Bob Pockrass – Associate Editor
Friday, January 30, 2009
Front Row Motorsports and driver John Andretti have formed a partnership with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing that will put Andretti behind the wheel of the No. 34 Sprint Cup car in the Daytona 500, Front Row Motorsports announced today.
The team will be guaranteed a spot in the Daytona 500 because it will have top-35 owners points from last year, although it was unclear whose points it will have. The Dale Earnhardt Inc.-Chip Ganassi Racing merger had resulted in six full-time teams being folded into three full-time teams.
“Anytime you get the opportunity to race in the Daytona 500, it’s a privilege," said Andretti, who has 358 career Sprint Cup starts. "I am honored to be able to do that this year through a relationship with Earnhardt Ganassi and Front Row Motorsports."
The team will have sponsorship from Window World. Steve Lane, who was crew chief for Dario Franchitti until Ganassi parked the Franchitti car for financial reasons midway through last season, will be Andretti’s crew chief for the Daytona 500.
Whether the alliance will continue beyond the Daytona 500 is still to be determined.
"We believe this is the beginning of a long-term partnership that will provide a technical platform for our team," Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins said. "After being in last year’s Daytona 500 with John Andretti, I realized that with the right alliance and adequate resources, we could put ourselves in a position to have a front-running car."
Front Row Motorsports also announced that it plans to run the entire Nationwide Series with driver Tony Raines.
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8 responses to "John Andretti gets Daytona ride; Front Row aligns with Earnhardt Ganassi". Post a Comment.
Duff 65 said:
Jan 30, 2009 at 10:47 PMI want to see Johnny get his old sponsor Taco Bell involved in this new venture with Earnhardt Ganassi. Pizza Hut, KFC, and the other brands associated with the restaurant chains formerly known as Yum Brands could come along as well and would be a great fortune 500 sponsorship for EGR and the 34 owned by Bob Jenkins. I am not sure how many people know but Andretti's top fuel car was sponsored by Taco Bell back in the 90s and last I knew my Father still has the Tshirt of it.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportHoward Englishman said:
Jan 31, 2009 at 11:54 AMJust another field filler
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» Confirm Abuse ReportHoward Englishman said:
Jan 31, 2009 at 11:57 AMDuff, that was the fastest John ever went 300mph in 93. I bet he would like to go that fast again!!!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportTim Hollister said:
Jan 31, 2009 at 12:17 PMHonestly...I respect Mario/Michael/John...but in the previous few years John really hasn't performed in NASCAR. I know he's a great driver, so must be equipment/setup? Consistent negative equipment situations would certainly erode confidence and thus mentally tell yourself this is impossible...? Anyway maybe this will get him back into racing instead of guessing? Before when ever John was racing I expected him to take someone out somewhere in the race...
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» Confirm Abuse ReportTim Hollister said:
Jan 31, 2009 at 12:33 PMLOL, like most of them...a little hot headed. :-))
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRoss A Peot said:
Jan 31, 2009 at 1:23 PMAnother bust
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» Confirm Abuse ReportAndrew Briscoe said:
Jan 31, 2009 at 8:09 PMI think the real loser in this deal is EGR. Say what you want about it being a sinking ship, they could have signed a lot of potential drivers for this ride- including Tony Raines, any of the Sauters, etc. I guess though having a technical alliance with a team that will likely attempt a lot of the races this year is their best options to have that 4th car out there at as many races as possible. I just don't see John Andretti being the sponsor-attractor that they need. Does anyone else find it odd that Window World signed to sponsor this car? They're already sponsoring the #66 Prism Racing Toyota- I guess this is just a way for them to get their name guaranteed in the 500, and potentially in it twice- but I still find it interesting.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportDuff 65 said:
Feb 1, 2009 at 3:07 AMEGR may be a one year band aid for both organizations; I honestly do not see the team surviving after Truex and Bass Pro Shops test free agency this coming summer. Who knows if Coleman or Davis do not pan out Truex could end up with Gibbs. Funny thing is EGR says this Front Row alliance will just be a one race deal but none the less Front Row wants to ride the crumbling team's coattails for the majority of the season. Bobby Hamilton racing folded last year and the same could be said of Dale Earnhardt Incorporated after this year.
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