Report: DEI-Ganassi in talks about partnership
Chip Ganassi Racing has been part of the NASCAR Sprint Cup merger rumor mill throughout the summer and fall, having been linked to several teams, including Michael Waltrip Racing and Petty Enterprises, and now Dale Earnhardt Inc. appears to be in the mix as well.
The two sides have talked about an alliance or merger, according to a report at FoxSports.com that cited sources.
Both Ganassi and DEI executives have said in the last few weeks that there have been talks going on in the garage but would not give specifics.
“There’s a lot of things that are possible still,” DEI Vice President John Story said during the Atlanta race weekend. “Partnerships. Alliances. A lot of teams are talking about ways they can work together more closely. There’s a number of opportunities, a number of ideas that we’re looking at. I don’t know that I can put my finger on which direction we’ll go.”
Right now, Ganassi has full sponsorship from Target for the No. 41 Cup car next year, but a driver has not been signed. The team has announced a half-season sponsorship for Juan Pablo Monotya and Is looking for another sponsor to fill out the schedule.
DEI has Martin Truex Jr.’s car fully funded but has not announced primary sponsorship for any of its other three cars. Aric Almriola is under contract next year to drive the No. 8 car, while the other two DEI cars do not have drivers signed for next year.
The maximum number of Cup cars an organization can have is four, meaning DEI likely would have to drop two of its cars if it links up with Ganassi.
The teams also use different manufacturers. DEI is a Chevrolet team, while Ganassi runs Dodges.
“Talks in the garage continue,” Chip Ganassi Racing President Steve Lauletta said last Sunday at Texas. “We are very comfortable going into next year as a two-car Cup team with a Nationwide team, and if something is going to happen, it’s got to happen in the next two weeks. Otherwise, nobody is going to be prepared.”
Montoya said Tuesday he knows nothing about a possible DEI-Ganassi merger.
“I haven’t really talked to Chip too much the last few days,” Montoya said. “I haven’t asked him who is driving the other car [next year]. Right now, our focus is to try to make sure we run better.
“At the end of the day, it’s very important to make sure that we have a good teammate. I am sure that whoever Chip decides is going to drive the 41 is going to probably be the best guy available out there. It’s up more to Chip than myself. As long as I do my part, I’m pretty happy. We need to make sure the whole company runs a little better, and it will be a matter of time to see what comes out. Merger, no merger, I don’t know. I just drive the car.”
