DEI and Ganassi Racing will merge teams in 2009

Ok, I know that Junebug isn't with DEI anymore, and that's water under the bridge and all, however, Junior has never said a bad word about Teresa and considering that this blog is about him and his last name is Earnhardt (like you didn't know that already), I thought I'd post this article that I found on NASCAR.com

MIAMI -- 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 combined team will be called Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. Martin Truex Jr. and Juan
Montoya will drive the Nos. 1 and 42 and Aric Almirola will be behind the wheel of the No. 8. The driver of the No. 41 has not been named.
Truex Jr.

Both organizations have struggled to secure sponsorship this season, forcing the teams to pool resources.

"In this ultra-competitive era of NASCAR, it is necessary to build and sustain the strongest team possible and our combining with the people and equipment at Dale Earnhardt Inc. will help create a strong four-car program for years to come," Chip Ganassi said in a statement released by the team. "This is a win-win for both organizations as well as all of our partners."

Truex and Almirola will come from Dale Earnhardt Inc.; only Truex's car has full sponsorship for next season.

Montoya has half a season of sponsorship, and Ganassi's flagship No. 41 car has full sponsorship.
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.

"Having a partner like Chip, who is heavily involved on the competition side of the business, is an ideal situation for DEI," Teresa Earnhardt said. "He has a long history of managing championship teams in the IndyCar and Rolex Grand-Am Series and I share his passion and goals of winning races and ultimately championships in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. I think this is a case where we are stronger together than we are apart."

DEI is losing the Menard's sponsorship on its No. 15 Chevrolet. Driver Paul Menard is leaving the organization to drive a third car for Yates Racing in 2009.

Ganassi shuttled the No. 40 Dodge of Dario Franchitti earlier this year, and longtime driver Reed Sorenson is leaving the No. 41 to drive for Gillett Evernham Racing next year.

The teams' drivers have combined for 210 starts this year and have zero wins, 11 top-five finishes and 28 top-10s.

DEI has only three wins in the past four seasons, while Ganassi drivers have four wins since 2002.