By JENNA FRYER
MIAMI (AP) — 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 Associated Press has learned.
The combined team will be called Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and will field cars for Martin Truex, Aric Almirola, Juan Pablo Montoya and a driver yet to be named, two people familiar with the decision told the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal has yet to be announced.
Both organizations have struggled to secure sponsorship this season, forcing the teams to pool resources.
Truex and Almirola will come from Dale Earnhardt Incorporated; only Truex's car has full sponsorship for next season.
Montoya has half a season of sponsorship, and Ganassi's flagship No. 41 has full sponsorship but no driver.
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.
Sources: DEI, Ganassi to combine teams....
Dale Earnhardt Inc. is not for sale -- right now.
DEI president Max Siegel on Tuesday refuted an Internet report that company owner Teresa Earnhardt had commissioned investment banking firm Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. to locate a buyer or financial investment partner.
"We have not engaged Bear, Stearns or Goldman Sachs or anyone else," Siegel said. "We are contacted all the time by outside firms about getting involved in the sport.
"We are not for sale right now. Nothing is imminent."
DEI says it is not presently seeking buyer....
