DEI picked up the 2009 option on #1-Martin Truex’s contract in August, but another rumor floating through the garage is that Bass Pro Shops, the primary sponsor of Truex’s car at DEI, may join Stewart-Haas Racing next year as the second sponsor for #39-Ryan Newman [Burger King is another rumored sponsor]. DEI has discussed merger possibilities with Chip Ganassi Racing and Petty Enterprises.(ESPN blog) Jayski update in mergers: hearing the possible DEI/Ganassi merger is not off [as was posted Friday, see #41 Team News page for the rumor] and is actually close to being done with Ganassi being the team ‘presence’ at the track with the deal waiting on GM’s [Chevy] approval. As for the Petty/DEI rumor? the manufacturer differences squashed that deal as Petty Enterprises would not switch to Chevy and DEI would not switch to Dodge.(11-8-2008) MORE – Ganassi talks: Chip Ganassi started 2008 with three Cup cars, but shut down the #40 team when no sponsor could be found. Reed Sorenson will leave the #41 after the end of this year to go to Gillett Evernham Motorsports, and even though Target is returning as that team’s sponsor no driver for 2009 has been named. Texaco/Havoline is also out after this year on the #42 driven by Juan Pablo Montoya, leaving that team with only half of next year’s races sponsored – at least so far. Now, one of the hottest rumors in the NASCAR garage is that Ganassi is talking to Dale Earnhardt Inc., Petty Enterprises and perhaps others about possible affiliations or mergers for 2009 and beyond. “Some of the rumors are true,” Ganassi said. “Some of the rumors are not.” He also said “we’re just waiting for a few other shoes to drop before we nail down a driver for the 41.” While he wouldn’t speak to further specifics, Ganassi said that in general terms racing is battling the same economic issues other businesses are. “Whatever business anybody is in right now, people think it is special for some reason,” Ganassi said. “The oil business is special because it’s the oil business. The car business is special because it’s in Detroit. Racing is special because it’s racing.”(Charlotte Observer)(11-9-2008)
