www.MotorCityOil.com
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -David Stremme is the latest driver on the free agent market, as his ride with Chip Ganassi Racing appears to be coming to an end amid speculation he'll be replaced by Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti.
Stremme is in his second season driving the No. 40 Dodge, and Ganassi holds an option on next season that the car owner has yet to exercise. Stremme referred all questions about his status to his agent, Jeff Dickerson of Motorsports Management Inc.
"We are exploring David's options for 2008 and beyond,'' Dickerson said Friday at Richmond International Raceway. "He is very thankful for the opportunity he received from Chip Ganassi and looks to finish this year strong. But David is also looking forward to beginning the process of finding a new home.''
Ganassi said he doesn't currently have sponsorship for the No. 40, as Coors Light said earlier this week that it was ending its 14-year relationship with the team at the end of this season. The lack of money has prohibited him from picking up Stremme's option.
"In my conversation with David, I explained to him two or three different deals I'm working on for him,'' Ganassi said. "I want him to stick around, but I just don't have anything for him right now and I don't want to hold him up in finding something new.
"I told him that if he gets close to a new deal somewhere, I want to be the last phone call so I at least have an opportunity to keep him.''
Ganassi said the search for a sponsor is ongoing, but he said he's certain he'll field three cars next season. He also fields Dodges for Juan Pablo Montoya and Reed Sorenson.
There's talk that Ganassi is close to deal to bring Franchitti to NASCAR, and rival owner Richard Childress has also expressed interest in the open-wheel driver. Franchitti currently drives for Andretti Green Racing and will try to hold off Ganassi driver Scott Dixon for the IndyCar Series title in Sunday's season finale.
Dan Wheldon, who drives for Ganassi in the IRL, is also an option for a NASCAR ride but both driver and owner have previously stated 2008 is not a realistic goal.
Ganassi refused to comment specifically on Franchitti or Wheldon.
"I do not have any deals at this time with any other driver,'' Ganassi said.
Stremme is currently 23rd in the points, up from 33rd in last year's rookie season. He has two top 10s in his career, and was a career-best eighth at Talladega in April.
---
DEI-LINEUP: Dale Earnhardt Inc. finalized its 2008 lineup Friday, tapping Mark Martin and Aric Almirola to replace Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 8 Chevrolet.
"It's a great honor to drive the No. 8 car for this organization,'' Martin said. "I raced against Dale Earnhardt for a lot of years and I know what kind of competitor he was on the track. We have a really big legacy to live up to, but I'm confident that we are putting together an organization that he would be proud of.''
Earnhardt Jr. is leaving DEI for Hendrick Motorsports at the end of the season, and DEI had a huge hole to fill with his replacement. In Martin, the team gets a popular veteran who was voted one of the 50 greatest NASCAR drivers.
He will run a partial schedule similar to the one he ran this season, and Almirola will drive the remaining races. The car will be sponsored by the U.S. Army.
Martin Truex Jr. and Paul Menard will stay in their current rides at DEI, and Regan Smith will complete the four-car lineup. His car number and sponsor have not been finalized.
"Our lineup is a perfect blend of veteran leadership and youthful promise,'' said Max Siegel, president of DEI's global operations.
"The addition of Mark Martin's leadership and his desire to mentor our drivers is huge for us,'' he said. "Paul Menard and Martin Truex Jr. have been with our company for several years and we have confidence and great expectations in both of them, which allows us to further develop our future with two rookie drivers in Regan and Aric.
This Article Is Sponsored By:
www.MotorCityOil.com
For More Information About This Article Please Email:
Trevor@MotorCityAutoParts.com
Article Number: 000044
No comments:
Post a Comment