In the pits

Struggling economy impacts Sprint Cup teams

The dismal economic environment that has ravaged the trucking industry and working-class folks across the country has also dealt a body blow or two to NASCAR. Just ask Teresa Earnhardt and Chip Ganassi, owners of two of the best-known teams in motorsports, DEI and Chip Ganassi Racing, respectively.
     Earnhardt and Ganassi recently announced that they will combine their slumping race teams next season, an effort to stabilize their organizations in a tough economic time. The combined team will be called Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. Martin Truex Jr. and Juan Pablo Montoya will drive the Nos. 1 and 42, and Aric Almirola will be behind the wheel of the No. 8. The driver of the No. 41 has not been named.
     Both organizations struggled to secure sponsorship in 2008, forcing the teams to pool resources.
     “In this ultra-competitive era of NASCAR, it is necessary to build and sustain the strongest team possible, and our combining with the people and equipment at Dale Earnhardt Inc. will help create a strong four-car program for years to come,” Chip Ganassi said in a statement released by the team. “This is a win-win for both organizations, as well as all of our partners.”
     Truex and Almirola will come from Dale Earnhardt Inc.; only Truex’s car has full sponsorship for next season. Montoya has half a season of sponsorship, and Ganassi’s flagship No. 41 car has full sponsorship.
     DEI fields Chevrolets and Ganassi has a Dodge contract. Details of a manufacturer switch are being worked out as the team is expected to use General Motors.
     “Having a partner like Chip, who is heavily involved on the competition side of the business, is an ideal situation for DEI,” Teresa Earnhardt said. “He has a long history of managing championship teams in the IndyCar and Rolex Grand-Am Series, and I share his passion and goals of winning races and ultimately championships in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. I think this is a case where we are stronger together than we are apart.”
     DEI is losing the Menard’s sponsorship on its No. 15 Chevrolet. Driver Paul Menard is leaving the organization to drive a third car for Yates Racing in 2009. Ganassi shut down the No. 40 Dodge of Dario Franchitti earlier this year, and longtime driver Reed Sorenson is leaving the No. 41 to drive for Gillett Evernham Racing next year.
     Going into the final week of the 2008 season, the teams’ drivers had combined for 210 starts this year and have zero wins, 11 top-five finishes and 28 top-10s. DEI has only three wins in the past four seasons, while Ganassi drivers have four wins since 2002.
     NASCAR’s Sprint Cup series will roar back to life on Feb. 7, 2009 with the Bud Shootout at the Daytona International Speedway, followed a week later by the Daytona 500.