DEI and Ganassi Racing will merge teams in 2009

MIAMI -- Teresa Earnhardt and Chip Ganassi 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 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.

Truex Jr.

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Both organizations have struggled to secure sponsorship this season, 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 still are being worked out as the team is expected to use General Motors. If that happens, engine supply details must be ironed out. Ganassi has his own engine shop, but DEI has an engine partnership with Richard Childress Racing.

"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 leaving and taking sponsorship from his father's hardware store with him to Yates Racing.

Ganassi shuttled 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.

The teams' drivers have 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.

Founded by the late Dale Earnhardt, DEI has been reeling since Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s departure at the end of last season. DEI swallowed cash-strapped Ginn Racing in July 2007 to acquire shop space and owner points that would push Menard's car into the top 35.

DEI started this season as a solid four-car operation -- only rookie Regan Smith's car lacked full sponsorship -- but has quickly crumbled. Mark Martin is moving to Hendrick Motorsports next season, and the U.S. Army is moving its sponsorship to Tony Stewart's new team.

Then Menard announced he was leaving. Ultimately it left DEI with sponsorship next year only for Truex, who recently signed a one-year extension through 2009. DEI has been committed to Almirola, but there's no indication Smith is part of long-term plans.

Ganassi has half of next season sponsored by Wrigley's for Montoya, and full sponsorship from Target on his No. 41 car. That's the only car inside the top 35 with full funding that has an open seat.

• Head2Head: Is the DEI/Ganassi merger good for both teams?