EGR to field four cars for 500, three for full season

CONCORD, N.C. -- Earnhardt Ganassi Racing will field four cars for the Daytona 500 and at least three for the full Sprint Cup season, although one driver and two sponsors for those vehicles are still yet to be determined.

Steve Lauletta, president of the merged organization, confirmed Tuesday that EGR intends to run Juan Montoya in the No. 42 car sponsored by Target, Martin Truex Jr. in the No. 1 car backed by Bass Pro Shops, and Aric Almirola in the No. 8 car, all for the entire 2009 campaign. Although Almirola's vehicle does not currently have sponsorship, Lauletta said something should be announced "pretty soon."

Land of confusion

At Preseason Thunder, EGR drivers Martin Truex Jr. and Aric Almirola weren't sure how to answer questions about the team's driver lineup for 2009.

• Complete story
• Menzer: Too much mess
• Almirola: EGR will run four

The team also plans to field a fourth vehicle for the Daytona 500, with the hope of running that car for more races should sponsorship materialize.

"If we can continue to run the fourth car past Daytona, we're going to attempt to do that," Lauletta said. "But as of now, the plan is inconclusive."

The team also needs to name a driver and sponsor for the fourth car, which would be guaranteed a berth in the Daytona 500 because of its finish in owner points last season.

"We're still facing a very difficult sponsorship environment and a very difficult economic environment," Lauletta said. "Decision making takes longer."

Lauletta added that Doug Randolph would serve as crew chief on Almirola's No. 8, with Steven Lane working in the same capacity on the fourth car. At Earnhardt Ganassi, Chip Ganassi is handling day-to-day duties as managing director, with Steve Hmiel and Rex Garrett overseeing competition details. Max Siegel and John Story, former executives at Dale Earnhardt Inc. before the merger, have taken reduced roles within the new company.

EGR announced earlier Tuesday that Target would become primary sponsor on Montoya's No. 42 car, reuniting the driver with the sponsor on his Indianapolis 500-winning vehicle in 2000. Lauletta said Wrigley's, which has built an advertising campaign around Montoya, would remain as an associate sponsor on the No. 42.