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By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and Dale Earnhardt Inc. have entered discussions that could lead to a merger between the two organizations, foxsports.com reported Tuesday.

Such a union would bring together the Nos. 41 and 42 cars of Ganassi and the Nos. 1 and No. 8 cars of DEI, according to the report.

Juan Pablo Montoya drives the No. 42 car, but Ganassi has not named a driver for the No. 41 Target car. Martin Truex Jr. is the driver of the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops car, and Aric Almirola drives the No. 8, which has not named a sponsor for next year.

One of Montoya's current sponsors, Texaco Havoline, will not return to the car next year, but Ganassi has a partial sponsorship locked in with Wrigley's for the No. 42.

In a conference call with the media Tuesday afternoon, Montoya said he was unaware of the merger talks.

"I'll tell you, I haven't really talked to Chip too much the last few days," Montoya said. "I haven't even asked him who's driving the other car (No. 41). Right now, our focus is trying to make sure we run better. At the end of the day, it's very important to make sure we've got a good teammate.

Ganassi, DEI in merger talks....