Pole Just What Truex, EGR Needed

In 2007, the sport’s biggest name, Dale Earnhardt Jr., announced he would be leaving the team his father built to go to Hendrick Motorsports.

The announcement led to questions about the future of Dale Earnhardt Inc. In addition, questions surrounded Martin Truex Jr.’s ability to become the face of the legendary team.

While DEI has never won a Sprint Cup championship, the team bears the name of a NASCAR icon. And for that reason, expectations are huge.

Jr.’s highly publicized departure seemingly looked to be the end of DEI. The team struggled in 2008.

Truex was hit with a 150 point penalty. Teresa Earnhardt was rumored to be considering selling the team. There were conflicting reports over Truex Jr’s option for 2009, which led to a fight with DEI’s president Max Siegel. Siegel eventually left the team. Mark Martin, like Jr., left the team for Hendrick. Paul Menard left the team for Yates Racing, taking his father’s Menard sponsorship with him. The team also lost its US Army sponsorship to Stewart Haas Racing and Ryan Newman. DEI was left with four cars, three drivers (Truex Jr, Aric Almirola, and Regan Smith), and one sponsor.

Enter Chip Ganassi Racing. CGR and DEI merged to form Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, virtually saving both companies. CGR brought Juan Pablo Montoya, and Target. He also had Wrigley’s signed for a half-year worth of sponsorship.

Things were looking up for the team, as EGR was said to be courting past champion, Bobby Labonte. But then, a deal feel through and Labonte was announced as the driver of Hall of Fame Racing’s No. 96, which has an alliance with Yates Racing.

When the dust settled from the offseason, and teams returned to Daytona International Speedway for practice for the 500, Truex unloaded with a fast car. He was in the top 5 in both practices. And when qualifying came around, he posted the fastest time, taking the pole.

This is exactly what EGR needed to do out of the gate. Taking the pole of the season’s biggest race will help this team put one of its toughest offseasons behind it.

While the work is not done yet, the team can pat itself on the back for a good showing in the first step of the Daytona 500. Next up, winning one of the Gatorade Duels.

Following Sunday’s showing, I for one will not be counting out EGR.

Labonte To EGR’s No. 8?

It is being reported that Bobby Labonte has been seen multiple times at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, and his name has been linked to EGR ever since he parted ways with Petty Enterprises.

Rumor has it that now Labonte is being considered for the No. 8, where he will be reunited with his former Petty Enterprises crew cheif Doug Randolph.

Other EGR rumors include that Target may move its sponsorship over to the No. 42 and Juan Pablo Montoya, instead of the No. 41 car, which currently does not have a driver named.

Martin Truex Jr. will be back in the No. 1 with Bass Pro Shops. Aric Almirola, at this point, is expected to drive the No. 8 car, which is currently looking for sponsorship following the departure of the U.S. Army. He may be moved to the No. 41 car, though. Montoya will be sponsored by Wrigley’s Big Red and Juicy Fruit brands, but that sponsorship only covers half of the season.

Almirola said in a NASCAR.com article:

It is something they have kicked around and talked about. But really and truly we want to run four cars. That is the goal because everybody knows to be competitive you have to have a multi-car team. They have said if we have to run three cars it may be a possibility but it is not our goal.

Also, Max Siegel, president of global operations for Dale Earnhardt Inc., which is now EGR, is said to be close to leaving the team. Siegel has been working with DEI owner Teresa Earnhardt about his future plans with the team.

Ganassi, DEI Working On A Merger?

It has been reported that Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Chip Ganassi Racing may be working on a merger that would combine DEI’s Nos. 1 and 8 with CGR’s No. 41 and 42 next season.

CGR is also said to be considering a merger with Petty Enterprises.

Currently, CGR has one full time sponsor for next season (Target), and one part time sponsor (Wrigley’s). DEI only has one full time sponsor (Bass Pro Shops) and part time sponsorship for the team’s other two cars.

Paul Menard is leaving DEI at the end of the season to join Yates Racing, and he is taking his Menards sponsorship with him.

Petty Enterprises is also seeking sponsorship for its cars.

CGR fields Dodges, while DEI fields Chevys, which could be a potential stumbling block for any merger with DEI.

But, given Dodge’s performance in the sport and the current economic climate, a move from Dodge to Chevy may be possible.