Regan Smith will replace Sterling Marlin in the No. 14 car next week at Indianapolis, and Joe Nemechek has been released from his duties in the No. 13 car as Ginn Racing continues its ongoing restructuring.

In addition, Busch driver Aric Almirola will split time with Mark Martin in the No. 01 car.

"We are starting our future now," said Jay Frye, Ginn Racing's CEO and general manager. "A lot has been said about our program recently and this shows we've been working hard to solidify our future."

Marlin said he was shocked by the news.

"You know, it kind of caught me by surprise," the driver said Tuesday evening on Sirius Satellite Radio. "I guess they've got to do things to reorganize and do what they gotta do. And, you know, I do have a valid contract with them and they gotta do what they say they're gonna do and everything will be fine."

The teams of Nemechek and Marlin have been beset by sponsorship woes, a situation that has forced the Ginn team -- which came within a few inches of winning the Daytona 500 in February -- to step back and reorganize.

"We appreciate everything that Joe and Sterling have done for us," Frye said. "They have been a class act."

Marlin said he would have liked the situation to be a little more classier.

"Well, you know, the classiest thing to me would have been to finish the year out," Marlin said. "I didn't make it any secret that I was planning on cutting back next year, running 15-20 races. But to do something in mid-year, just totally unexpected -- you know, Joe [Nemechek] had the same thing happen to him -- and, you know, it's sponsor-driven.

"... I can get up and look in the mirror and know I've done everything right. I don't think that's the case on the other side so I'll just leave it at that."

On Wednesday morning Nemechek also spoke on Sirius: "It's very disappointing, but part of the business is it takes a lot of dollars to make these Cup teams go 'round and it seems like it never stops.

"And unfortunately for myself and the situation, hopping out of the No. 01 car and getting in and starting a new team for them, I never dreamed that this would be the case. So, kind of shot myself in the foot there but, man, it just takes dollars."

The U.S. Army, which backs Martin's No. 01 car, is the only full-time sponsor the team currently has in place for next season. (Continued)