Earnhardt Ganassi Racing News
Updated: 2010 -
Thursday, April 29, 2010
DEI celebrates Dale Earnhardt Day: Dale Earnhardt, Inc. announced its schedule of events for the company's 9th annual Dale Earnhardt Day on April 29, 2010. This year's event, held on the campus of DEI in Mooresville, NC, is sponsored by The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, The Mooresville Convention and Visitors Bureau, Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet, The Dale Earnhardt Foundation, and Earnhardt Technologies Group. This year's celebration will be headlined by a very special "Tribute To Dale" unveiling for the fans by DEI, JR Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing at 2:30pm followed by a round-table session with family members hosted by longtime friend and Sirius Radio personality Chocolate Myers.
This year's schedule has been set as follows (All on the campus of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. unless noted):
* 5:45am - 8:45am Charlotte's Fox News Rising Remote Broadcast with Wilson!
* 9:00am Dale Earnhardt, Inc. opens to fans (Showroom and retail)
* 12:00noon - 2:30pm Mac's Speed Shop BBQ lunch is available for purchase (Special complementary cake presentation at 1:00pm)
* 12:30pm The Chris Marks Band - Great Live Country Music
* 2:30pm - 3:30pm Special Presentations - WEBCAST LIVE on www.daleearnhardtinc.com/events
o Dale Earnhardt Foundation Announcement: Hosted by Winston Kelley
o Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet Hall of Fame Camaro Unveiling - Hosted By Winston Kelley
o "Salute To Dale" announcement (Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Jr. Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing), car unveiling, "Talkin' About Dale" Q&A with Earnhardt Family Members hosted by Chocolate Myers
* 3:30pm - 4:00pm Fan meet and greet, photos & autographs with more music from the Chris Marks Band
* 5:00pm Dale Earnhardt Inc. Campus Closes - Celebration moves to Kannapolis, NC
* 5:45pm Kannapolis Intimidators Tribute Car Unveiling at Fieldcrest Stadium in Kannapolis, NC
* 6:00pm Gates Open - All fans wearing Dale Earnhardt gear get reserved seats for $5!
* 7:00pm Kerry Earnhardt and a lucky Club E fan throw the 1st pitch - Play Ball!
(Victory Management Group)
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Montoya forgives teammate McMurray after incident: Juan Pablo Montoya says he has accepted teammate Jamie McMurray's apology for the wreck that collected both last weekend and that he told McMurray, "Let's move forward." The two crashed while running side-by-side at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Montoya blamed McMurray, his new teammate at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, for the incident and was on the radio criticizing McMurray's driving to his crew. Montoya also was critical of McMurray in an interview with Fox during the race broadcast. Montoya, according to a story at autosport.com, said he and McMurray traded text messages after the race. McMurray texted Montoya: "Hey I'm sorry, I'm sure you're mad at me. You want me to call you and talk through things?" Montoya said he replied: "Don't worry. It happened. Yes, I was real mad, but let's move forward." (The Virginian Pilot)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Dale Earnhardt Inc. Sued Over $3.25 Million GM Claim: Dale Earnhardt Inc., founded by the late seven-time Nascar champion, was sued by a financial firm that accuses it of reneging on a deal to sell the firm a $3.25 million claim in General Motors Corp.’s bankruptcy. The Seaport Group LLC, based in New York, sued Feb. 25 in federal court in New York. The company wants the court to force Dale Earnhardt Inc. to deliver the claim or to award money damages. “After DEI signed a binding contract to sell its claim to Seaport, the value of the claim increased dramatically, and DEI refused to honor the deal,” Seaport Group wrote in its complaint. (Business Week)
Friday, February 19, 2010
Montoya's No. 42 crew wins Pit Road Precision Award: Juan Pablo Montoya's No. 42 over-the-wall crew won the Tissot Pit Road Precision Award in Sunday's (Feb. 14) Daytona 500. Montoya's Target Chevrolet spent the least amount of time on pit road at Daytona International Speedway. The outstanding effort contributed to Montoya's top-10 finish in the Sprint Cup season opener. Montoya's over-the-wall crew consists of: Trevor Lysne (front-tire changer), Eric Bilyeu (front-tire carrier), Chris McMullen (rear-tire changer), Chip Goode (rear-tire carrier), TJ Ford (jackman), Mike Bodick (gasman) and Heath Silver (catch can). The team's crew chief is Brian Pattie. The winning pit crew in each Sprint Cup race in 2010 will earn $5,000 and a Tissot VA Quartz Chronograph watch. The team with the most Tissot Pit Road Precision Award wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule will receive a $105,000 bonus plus Tissot watches for the over-the-wall crew members and driver.(Tissot)
Thursday, February 18, 2010
McMurray takes part in Victory Tour through San Francisco: Daytona 500 champion Jamie McMurray celebrated his victory with a true taste of Northern California in San Francisco on Wednesday, complete with Dungeness crab, world-class chocolates and a bottle of Sonoma Valley wine. McMurray took the checkered flag in the Great American Race on Sunday, and arrived in the Bay Area just three days later for a San Francisco Victory Tour onboard a motorized cable car led by a California Highway Patrol escort. The appearance also marked the Official Countdown to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend at Infineon Raceway, June 18-20 (Father's Day weekend). McMurray and his wife, Christy, enjoyed a one-of-a-kind tour of San Francisco, crossing the historic Golden Gate Bridge and visiting Grotto #9 at Fisherman's Wharf. McMurray learned how to crack a Dungeness crab under the guidance of co-owner Anthony Geraldi. The tour continued to Ghirardelli Square where the McMurrays received a basket of gourmet chocolates and were treated to ice cream sundaes. The cable car ride culminated at Willie Mays Plaza, at the home of the San Francisco Giants, where McMurray greeted race fans and the Northern California media. Giants Vice President Russ Stanley presented McMurray with an official team jersey, complete with his name and car number on the back. "I have to say, New York was cool, but San Francisco has been awesome," said McMurray after the tour. "The weather is beautiful and it's so great to see the fans come out here. As a driver, you can't imagine what this means to me. It's been wonderful." Raceway President Steve Page also presented McMurray with a commemorative magnum of Sonoma Valley wine. "What great representatives Jamie and Christy are for the sport," said Page. "It's terrific to have someone who is a great road racer and has a good history at our track win the Daytona 500. We're really excited to see him back in Sonoma in June." Fans joined the Victory Tour onboard a fan-only cable car, which followed McMurray's lead cable car on its celebratory route. The fans purchased seats on the tour as part of a special ticket package offered by the raceway, which included a weekend ticket to the Toyota/Save Mart 350. Tickets are now available for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway, including special packages featuring drivers Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson. Be sure to call 800-870-RACE or visit www.infineonraceway.com for more information.(Infineon Raceway)
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
McMurray, EGR's No. 1 Chevrolet inducted into Daytona USA: Winning the most prestigious race on the NASCAR circuit finally started to sink in Monday morning for 2010 Daytona 500 champion Jamie McMurray, who celebrated with his Earnhardt Ganassi Racing team during the Daytona 500 Champion's Breakfast at Daytona 500 Experience. "It's kind of sinking in," McMurray said. "Every time we do something it's a little more real. Whether it's getting the jackets or the ring or just everything that's a part of this, it's just really, really exciting." After a late night of celebrating their coveted victory in "The Great American Race", the team handed over their No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevy to be inducted into the attraction's Gatorade Victory Lane. The winning car will be on display until next February when it will be returned to the team prior to the 53rd annual Daytona 500. Winning crew chief Kevin "Bono" Manion was enjoying the surreal experience. "Everything's been in fast forward," Manion said. "Pictures, media center, inspecting the car, pushing the car to the trailer to come over here and then a couple hours of sleep for some of us. It's just been so exciting. (On) rain delays you stay over but winning the race and you have to stay over and have breakfast -- that's pretty cool." Also enjoying the festivities was co-owner Chip Ganassi, who is one of only two owners to win both the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500. "Jamie showed me a text from (last year's Daytona 500 champion) Matt Kenseth where he said, 'You'll never want this day to end.' I agree completely. I don't want this day to end. "You have a complete flashback of your entire racing career -- thinking about the possibility of something like this happening. You're always shooting for that and you're always trying for that. It's just so reflective right now. Every sacrifice you made and every tough meeting I've had with a crew chief or a driver the ups and downs of this business. It all seems worth it now." McMurray, who also unveiled the logo for 53rd annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 20th, is now on a whirlwind media tour making appearances on Late Show with David Letterman and Live with Regis and Kelly in New York City as well as making stops in San Francisco and Los Angeles before Sunday's race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA. Despite his hectic upcoming schedule, McMurray knows the memory he's going to take away from all of this."The thing that I'm going to remember is getting out of the car and running up and grabbing the flag and then running back down and seeing the Daytona (painted) in the infield (grass) and seeing 'Daytona 500'. I don't think I'll ever forget that. That's the memory I have burned in my head right now of the 500; that's something I'll never forget." The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will return in July for the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola July 1-3. For tickets, call 1-800-PITSHOP or visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.(DIS)
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Report: McMurray signs 1-year deal with EGR: Apparently, a one-year deal was inked last Wednesday between Jamie McMurray and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and is expected to be announced sometime on Tuesday. Kevin "Bono" Manion is expected to continue on as the crew chief.(FOXSports.com)
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Rain-X to sponsors EGR's No. 1 at Phoenix: Rain-X® will make their second appearance as the primary sponsor for the No. 1 Chevrolet of Martin Truex Jr. at this weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) event at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR). Rain-X® made it’s NASCAR debut as the primary sponsor for Truex and the No. 1 team for the NSCS race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sept. 20 For more than 30 years, the legendary Rain-X® Original Glass Treatment has been dramatically improving wet weather driving visibility by causing precipitation to bead up and roll off vehicle windshields. The No. 1 Chevrolet Impala SS’s bright yellow and blue design draws inspiration from the yellow and blue color scheme that has become synonymous with the Rain-X® brand. Race fans should be sure to look for the Rain-X® logo on the hood of the No. 1 Chevy along with the giant “beaded” rain drops running off the windshield and down the sides of the front quarter-panels of the No. 1 Chevrolet Impala SS. (EGR)
Almirola files breach-of-contract suit against EGR: Aric Almirola has filed a lawsuit in North Carolina Superior Court alleging that Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. have breached their contract with him. Almirola, who drove in seven Sprint Cup races this year for the team before his car was parked because of a lack of sponsorship, filed the complaint last Thursday. DEI had announced last year that Almirola would run a full season in 2009, but the organization later merged its Cup operation with Chip Ganassi Racing to form Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. The complaint does not detail the circumstances surrounding the breach-of-contract claim and asks the court to refer the matter to arbitration. Almirola had filed two notices of a claim last month, and he had until Thursday to file the actual complaint. He is dismissing his claim against Chip Ganassi Racing and EGR co-owner Teresa Earnhardt but proceeding in the one against EGR and DEI. The team had no comment.(SceneDaily.com)
NASCAR announces penalties against No. 1: NASCAR announced penalties for the car No. 1 team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for a violation that occurred during post-race inspection last Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway. The team was penalized for violating Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-I (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-12.8.1B (front of the car did not meet the required height specification; too low in post-race inspection). Crew chief Kevin Manion was fined $50,000 and remains on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31, 2009. Car owner Teresa Earnhardt and driver Martin Truex Jr., were penalized with the loss of 50 championship owner and 50 championship driver points, respectively.(NASCAR PR)
Monday, November 9, 2009
Report: McMurray to EGR's No. 1: Jamie McMurray, fresh off his first Sprint Cup Series win in two years, now appears to have a full-time job for the 2010 season, the Observer and ThatsRacin.com have learned. McMurray is set to drive Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing's No. 1 Chevrolet starting next season, reuniting the 33-year-old driver from Joplin, Mo., with his first team owner in Cup, Chip Ganassi, multiple sources said Sunday. A formal announcement of McMurray's move to the Earnhardt-Ganassi team is expected by the Nov. 22 race at Homestead, Fla., sources said. (ThatsRacin.com)
EGR to stay with Chevrolet: Toyota and Richard Childress, who is part of the joint venture which currently supplies Chevrolet engines to Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, gave co-team owner Chip Ganassi an ultimatum for a decision on manufacturers next year. Following several early morning meetings at Texas Motor Speedway, EGR opted to stay with Chevrolet. Ganassi spoke with General Motors Racing manager Mark Kent in a closed-door meeting inside the #1 team's transporter Sunday morning at Texas Motor Speedway and Alba Colon, GM Racing's Chevrolet program manager, camped out in front of the hauler for part of the morning. He also met with Toyota senior manager Andy Graves before making his decision. When asked for a comment after his meetings, Ganassi said "It's nobody's business."(FOXSports.com)
Martin Truex's No. 1 fails post-race inspection; deemed to low: The No. 1 Bass Pro Chevy driven by Martin Truex Jr. failed a post-race inspection when NASCAR officials found the height of the car was too low. The violation was discovered because the No. 1 Chevy was the random car selected for inspection after the Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Truex finished 14th. Any penalties for the team will be announced on Tuesday, NASCAR officials confirmed. NASCAR also is taking three cars back to the Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C. -- the No. 2 Dodge of race winner Kurt Busch, the No. 24 Chevy of Jeff Gordon, who finished 13th, and the No. 5 Chevy of Mark Martin, who finished fourth. NASCAR also will take three engines to the R&D Center -- the No. 2 Dodge, the No. 11 Toyota motor of driver Denny Hamlin, who finished second, and Gordon's. The winning car and the engines from the top two finishers always are inspected in the R&D Center.(ESPN.com)
Tuesday, Novemeber 3, 2009
Is Earnhardt Ganassi looking at Toyota? So, what's the holdup in EGR's decision to remain with Chevy or move to Toyota? Perhaps it's the "E" in EGR. Can anyone really imagine the Earnhardt name associated with Toyota? Since Teresa Earnhardt is not at the racetrack on a weekly basis, that might be a tough answer to get. And with the current General Motors situation, Chevy is in no position to offer EGR a new and improved deal. Maybe Chip Ganassi believes delaying the decision will prevent the current engine builders from sabotaging the cars? But since Ganassi didn't want to answer the question of manufacturers on Sunday, what do we know? Richard Childress Racing's engine department - which supplies motors for EGR - was expecting a call on Friday from the Ganassi camp regarding their status for next season. It never came. Principals at EGR are expected to meet with Toyota again on Tuesday. EGR has had discussions with Joe Gibbs Racing about supplying engines for next season. Apparently Toyota Racing Development, which provides Michael Waltrip Racing and Red Bull Racing with engines, does not have the capacity at this time to be a supplier for EGR.(FOXSports.com)
McMurray has contract with EGR? It's no secret that Bass Pro Shops has a contract to sponsor the No. 1 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing car that McMurray is slotted to drive next year. And it's no secret that Bass Pro Shops wants to move to the No. 39 car with Ryan Newman. Now, this is not a knock on BPS, which has offered tremendous support to many racing programs in and beyond NASCAR. But McMurray's contract with EGR has been prepared but lacking signatures for some time. No, McMurray is not going to apply for his NRA membership any time soon, but he will go above and beyond for his sponsors whether it's Bass Pro or anyone else.(FOXSports.com)
Monday, November 2, 2009
McMurray to EGR's No. 1? An announcement on the driver that will replace Martin Truex Jr. could come this week, sources close to the situation said. Jamie McMurray, who is losing his ride at Roush Fenway Racing because the organization has to reach the four-car cap, is one candidate. Bobby Labonte, the 2000 Cup champion, is the other. EGR co-owner Chip Ganassi wants McMurray. Bass Pro Shops, which will sponsor the No. 1 for 20 races next season, isn't sure he fits the image.(ESPN.com Insider)
Sunday, October 25, 2009
McMurray to replace Truex at EGR? It's not etched in stone, but the speculation surrounding Jamie McMurray-to-Earnhardt Ganassi Racing isn't exactly written in chalk, either. Neither McMurray nor anyone at EGR has confirmed the move, but garage-insiders say there's a strong likelihood the driver of the Roush Fenway Racing No. 26 Fusion will replace Martin Truex Jr. in the No. 1 Chevy next year. The wild-card in the scenario is the sponsor. Bass Pro Shops would like to have an "outdoorsman" type of driver, one who'll appeal to their customer base. To some degree, Truex Jr. fulfilled that role; less so McMurray, who's not exactly the world's most passionate hunter, fisherman or camper.(Ford Racing)
Friday, October 16, 2009
Earnhardt/Ganassi to announce future No. 1 driver soon? Earnhardt Ganassi Racing is close to naming a driver for the No. 1 car next season and it apparently won't be Jamie McMurray, as has been widely speculated. A source close to the situation said McMurray, whose contract at Roush Fenway Racing is up after this season, no longer is in the picture and that two people are in the mix. Rumored drivers include: Bobby Labonte, Reed Sorenson, David Stremme, David Gilliland and Casey Mears.(ESPN.com Insiders)
Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009
No. 8 Earnhardt-Ganassi team to return in 2010? Dustin Long is reporting, The folks at Dale Earnhardt Inc. are working at bringing the No. 8 car to both the Nationwide and Cup series next year. The plan would be for Jeffrey Earnhardt, grandson of Dale, to drive the No. 8 car in the Nationwide series and have that team based out of the DEI shops in Mooresville, N.C. If sponsorship can be found, the No. 8 car would return to Cup and be based out of the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing shop in Cocord, N.C. "We do have plans to bring the No. 8 car back for next season,'' Jeff Steiner executive VP and general manager at DEI, told me Wednesday afternoon. "We are working with a number of sponsors. It's not a for sure deal. We haven't announced that we are officially bringing it back. .. I don't think we would see anything with the No. 8 car at the Sprint Cup level in 2009. I think based where we're at with sponsor discussions, I don't foresee that happening this year, but it is one of our aspirations to get that car back on the track together with the No. 1 and the No. 42.'' So, would the No. 8 come back fulltime or would it be acceptable to bring it back part time in 2010?"I think we would consider something part time,'' Steiner told me. "In today's economy and today's NASCAR, we need to look at all potential opportunities to get either young developmental drivers or other people out on the track and if we have an opportunity to do that and get the No. 8 back on the track in 2010, I think we would certainly consider that. As for Jeffrey Earnhardt: "That would be something we would be looking at running him in an No. 8 fulltime in the Nationwide level,'' Steiner said. "We're still working on sponsorships. Our intention ... having him in a family number. I think we're hopeful (of a fulltime schedule for Jeffrey). We're pretty bullish on that potential for 2010."(Roanoke Times)
Montoyta on Sprint Cup Chase: There's no holding back, nothing: Apparently, Juan Pablo Montoya has forgiven. But he hasn't forgotten. Montoya was visibly and vocally angry at the way Mark Martin blocked him during the final two laps of last Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at New Hampshire. Martin held on and won the opening race of the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship, and Montoya, his car's momentum stalled, dropped to third place behind Denny Hamlin. "I wasn't the happiest guy," Montoya said this week as he began preparations for round two of the Chase on Sunday at Dover. "It's fun when you do it to someone else, but it's not when they do it to you. But it's part of it. "Mark did an awesome race and did what he had to do to win the race." As did Montoya. He won the pole and led a race-high 105 of the 300 laps. It wasn't enough to give him his first victory since 2007, but he jumped from 11th place in the Chase standings to fourth. "For the Chase ... there's no holding back, nothing," said Montoya. (KC Star)
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009
McMurray to the No. 1? The merger between Richard Petty Motorsports and Yates Racing all but made it official that Jamie McMurray will move to the No. 1 at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing next season. McMurray has been in discussions with EGR for several months after being told he would not be re-signed by Roush Fenway Racing to drive the #26 next season. Roush had to shrink from five to four cars to reach NASCAR's four-car cap rule.(ESPN Insider)
Bobby Labonte to RCR? EGR? Bobby Labonte's popularity has picked up considerably in the last few weeks. Apparently, his name is being presented as a possible candidate for the No. 07 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet to sponsor Jack Daniels this week. Also hearing that he could be competition for Jamie McMurray in the No. 1 Chevy at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing.(FOXSports.com)
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009
EGR to use Hendrick engines? If Team Red Bull does stay in the Toyota camp, that could open up a Rick Hendrick engineering and engine option for car owner Chip Ganassi and driver Juan Pablo Montoya. Ganassi and Montoya are running Chevrolets this season, with engines supplied through Richard Childress. However General Motors' bankruptcy and racing cutbacks have left a number of issues and sponsorships up in the air.(MikeMulhern.net)
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
EGR denies merger: Statement from Chip Ganassi per the Speculation about Potential Merger with Other Race Teams: "There have been numerous incorrect reports in the media over the last few days about a possible merger of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and other race teams and I can tell you that we have never had any such conversation with any team, nor do we plan to. Furthermore, as I have said many times, we are currently a FIVE-car team, we just happen to compete over three different forms of racing. We fully expect to continue to be a two car NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team in 2010 and beyond and have no plans of merging or downsizing at all. We are a Chevrolet team and focused solely on making The Chase for the Sprint Cup."(EGR PR)
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Ganassi plans to find driver for No. 1: Chip Ganassi, co-owner of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, on replacing Martin Truex Jr., who is leaving the No. 1 Bass Pro Chevy for Michael Waltrip Racing next year: "We're going to fill it. Everything's fine. I'm not going out of business. We're going to have two cars (next year). You guys always ask silly questions. I wish I had great answers for you. I'm unable to make things up. All I can tell you is we're fine. We're talking to a few guys, and I'll tell you in due time.. .. I'm a bit of a gambler in that sense. I don't feel the need to announce my plans July 1 like a lot of people do. I'm not going to be dragged into that. We're going to make the best decision at the right time. We're on my calendar. I'm not on anybody else's calendar."(USA Today)
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Ganassi not joining Joe Gibbs Racing: Don't believe the latest that has Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates partnering with Joe Gibbs Racing, making Juan Pablo Montoya JGR's fourth driver with Target as the sponsor. Not that there hasn't been some conversation looking at that as a possible marriage. There are conversations between almost every organization about almost everything these days. But this one hasn't been talked about enough to warrant it as a substantial rumor. It likely never will be. Ganassi is under the umbrella of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with its partnership with DEI, and he's happy with that relationship. "We have an affiliation now," he said Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "We have an affiliation with Earnhardt with EGR [and] with Childress [Richard Childress Racing]. I'm very happy with that. Knock on wood. We've had no issues. The idea of what we put together at the end of the season last year, it's been mission accomplished."(ESPN Insider)
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Ganassi Racing to merge with Joe Gibbs Racing? The latest rumor is that Chip Ganassi somehow will merge his Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing team with Joe Gibbs Racing, possibly eliminating another owner.(SPEEDtv.com)
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
NASCAR announces No. 1 and Truex penalties: NASCAR announced that Martin Truex Jr., driver of the No. 1 Chevy in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, crew chief Kevin Manion and car owner Teresa Earnhardt have been penalized for rule violations during last weekend’s event at Chicagoland Speedway. Truex was penalized 25 points in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver standings. Manion was fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31, 2009. Earnhardt was penalized 25 points in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series owner standings. The three were penalized for violating Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); Section 12-4-I (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules) and Section 20-12.8.1C (right rear quarter panel height did not meet the required specifications; too high in post-race inspection).(NASCAR)
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Truex car too high after post-race inspection: The No. 1 Chevy driven by Martin Truex Jr. did not pass a post-race inspection when NASCAR officials discovered the right rear quarter panel was too high on the car. Truex finished 16th in the LifeLock 400 race at Chicagoland Speedway. The car will be taken back to the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C., for further evaluations. NASCAR officials will determine if the height problem is a violation that requires a penalty. Any announcement of the process will come later this week, likely on Tuesday or Wednesday. Similar height situations have resulted in championship point reductions and fines in the past.(ESPN.com)
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Manion to MWR? Martin Truex's current crew chief Bono Manion is expected to join Michael Waltrip Racing in the future, whether that date is after Homestead or before is likely predicated on the Chip Ganassi. Manion has worked with Truex since the May Richmond race in 2003. If Truex and Manion leave EGR prematurely, Aric Almirola, who is still under contract but has not raced since Texas due to a lack of sponsorship, could jump in the car.(FOXSports.com)
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Official: Martin Truex to Michael Waltrip Racing: Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) announced that NAPA Auto Parts has signed a multi-year contract to continue its primary sponsorship with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series organization, and has named two-time Nationwide Series champion and 2007 Chase participant Martin Truex, Jr. as its driver. Starting in 2010, the car number on the NAPA Auto Parts Toyota will be the No. 56, a number that has been in the Truex racing family for three generations. MWR co-owner Michael Waltrip, the only full-time driver NAPA has had since joining the Sprint Cup division in 2001, will drive a limited schedule, to include the 2010 Daytona 500 driving the No. 55 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota - an event in which Waltrip and NAPA have shared two memorable victories. Waltrip will retain the number 55. The owner points earned during the 2009 Sprint Cup campaign will be transferred to Truex's full-time effort.(MWR PR)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Truex not to MWR till 2010: The company line at Michael Waltrip Racing is that despite the expected announcement on July 7 that Martin Truex Jr. will join the fold, he will not drive the car until next season. And Waltrip will likely continue to run a limited 10 to 12 race schedule in the No. 55 car in 2010. But the consensus in the garage is that Truex could be in a MWR car as early as the Chicagoland Cup race in two weeks. A press release from NAPA announcing Waltrip's brother Darrell (also a NASCAR on FOX analyst) as an honorary pit crew member for this weekend Coke Zero 400 has only fueled the speculation that it will be Michael's last race. For now, MWR Vice President and GM Ty Norris and COO Cal Wells' say that the teams will remain status quo for 2009. Earnhardt Ganassi Racing president Steve Lauletta says he expects to have Aric Almirola back in the No. 8 Chevy by mid-August if sponsorship can be secured. Lauletta echoed MWR's sentiments that Truex will not be departing from the No. 1 Chevy before season's end.(FOXSports)
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
EGR to Toyota? Possible JGR alliance? Once Martin Truex Jr. announces that he's driving for Michael Waltrip Racing next month, where does that leave Earnhardt Ganassi Racing? With Juan Pablo Montoya. But after GM dramatically reduced its assistance to EGR last week, is now the time that Chip Ganassi bolts to Toyota? One hot rumor swirling around the garage was a partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing to run Montoya in a fourth car similar to the situation that Marcos Ambrose has with MWR. On Sunday, JGR president J.D. Gibbs said, "No, no, no...," but the guess is his bottom line could say "yes".(FOXSports.com)
Sunday, April 26, 2009
EGR's No. 8 still looking for sponsor: Steve Lauletta, president of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, says that efforts continue to find sponsorship for the No. 8 car that the team quit running earlier this month. "I'm hoping that something's going to come forward pretty quick,'' Lauletta said. "I think what we're looking at right now is a second half of the season into 2010 if we can get one of these deals done.'' (The Roanoke Times)
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Dale Earnhardt Day set for Friday, May 15th; Preview event April 29: Jeff Steiner, executive vice president and general manager of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. announced plans for the company's eighth annual Dale Earnhardt Day, celebrating the life of seven-time NASCAR Champion Dale Earnhardt, for fans and friends. The celebration will be preceded with a special birthday commemoration on April 29, 2009 from 11:30 a.m, to 1:30 p.m., a preview event for the day-long fan celebration on Friday, May 15, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the day before the Sprint All Star Race at Lowes Motor Speedway. Behind-the-scenes tours, dining in Dale Earnhardt's private dining room - The Trophy Room as well as a unique First Look Dinner on May 14, are all part of this year's events. Festivities will be held at the company's headquarters in Mooresville, North Carolina. Follow plans on Twitter at www.twitter.com/daleday09. A complete schedule of events and additional information is available at: daleearnhardtinc.com(DEI PR)
Friday, April 10, 2009
Dale Earnhardt Inc. appoints new executives: Dale Earnhardt Inc. President and CEO Teresa Earnhardt announced the appointments of two executive leaders for the company on Thursday. Jeff Steiner was named executive vice president and general manager responsible for the oversight and management of DEI, the Dale Earnhardt Foundation and special initiatives relating to Earnhardt properties. Steiner began his role at the company on April 1. Chad Warpula was appointed as executive vice president and general counsel for DEI. Warpula will oversee the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates NASCAR Sprint Cup team and handle all legal matters for DEI, EGR and Earnhardt-Childress Racing. Both executives will report to Teresa Earnhardt. (SceneDaily.com)
Friday, March 13, 2009
No. 8 Almirola still looking for sponsorship: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing has sponsorship for Aric Almirola for the upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Bristol and Martinsville and will definitely enter him April 5 at Texas, but his schedule beyond Texas is still pending sponsorship, EGR President Steve Lauletta says. Dale Earnhardt Inc. had intended to run Almirola the full 2009 season, but after the partnership with Chip Ganassi Racing was formed last November, Almirola’s situation has been cloudy with no full-time sponsor. (SceneDaily.com)
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Almirola to run first five Cup races: Aric Almirola will not run the full 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season unless funding is secured, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing co-owner Chip Ganassi said Friday afternoon. Ganassi would not specify how many races Almirola, who has sponsorship from Guitar Hero for a select number of events, would run, but he said he definitely will run the first five. “I’d like to sit here and tell you we’re close,” Ganassi said. “But the fact of the matter is we’re not. We’re not unlike ... a situation we were in a year ago, but we’re going to give it our best shot. We need more funding to run Aric.” (SceneDaily.com)
Friday, February 13, 2009
Earnhardt remembered with candlelight tribute: Fans of Dale Earnhardt are being asked to pay tribute on Wednesday February 18th in honor and memory of the legendary driver. A guest book will be available throughout the day at Dale Earnhardt Inc. for those wishing to document their memories of Dale, while a candlelight tribute will be held outside the headquarters on Hwy #3 in Mooresville from 6:00-8:30pm/et The facility will be illuminated with candles while commemorative decals, prayer cards and hand held candles will be distributed to everyone in attendance. The facility’s gates will remain open through 10pm for those that cannot attend the candlelight portion but still want to pay tribute to the legendary Dale Earnhardt. Those unable to attend are encouraged to light a candle in remembrance of Dale Earnhardt at home that evening.(EGR PR)
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Martin Truex, Jr claims Daytona 500 pole: Martin Truex Jr. and Mark Martin each had long NASCAR winters for different reasons, but Sunday was a beautiful day for both at Daytona International Speedway. Truex won the Daytona 500 pole with a lap at 188.001 mph and Martin got the No. 2 starting spot for next week's race with a speed of 187.817. Bill Elliott, Travis Kvapil, Tony Stewart and Terry Labonte also assured themselves of being in the 51st running of Sprint Cup's biggest race on a warm, sunny afternoon. (ThatsRacin.com) Daytona 500 Qualifying Speeds
EGR swap No. 8 & No. 42 owner points: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, whose largely sponsorless No. 8 car was 14th in 2008 owner points, has swapped positions with new teammate Juan Montoya, who was 25th last year while driving for Chip Ganassi Racing. The assumption is that if the 8 was shut down within the first five races, Montoya would have an 11-position advantage if qualifying was rained out. In conjunction with the point swaps, Chip Ganassi now owns the No. 8 and Teresa Earnhardt took ownership of the No. 42 from Ganassi's father, Floyd. (NASCAR.com)
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Guitar Hero to be featured on No. 1 and No. 8 EGR cars: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced a partnership with Activision Publishing, Inc., the publisher of the top-selling Guitar Hero video game franchise, for a multi-race deal that will include primary sponsorship of multiple races with Aric Almirola and his No. 8 Chevy, and multiple races with Martin Truex Jr. and his No. 1 Chevy. In the 2009 Daytona 500, the first race to feature a Guitar Hero branded car, the No. 8 will race around the track with a paint scheme of Activision’s latest #1 music-based video game - Guitar Hero World Tour. The orange and black car will sport the familiar Guitar Hero World Tour logo and the same graphics as the game’s packaging. Subsequent races will feature the No. 8 or the No. 1 cars branded with upcoming Guitar Hero titles. Aric Almirola: Driver,No. 8 Chevy: “I was excited about running my first Daytona 500 to begin with, but now having the Guitar Hero brands on my car will make it even that much more fun. I can’t think of another brand that I would rather have on my car. I play the Guitar Hero games all the time and to now be representing it is very cool.”
Martin Truex Jr.: “I am really looking forward to pairing up with Activision and Guitar Hero. It is one of my favorite video game brands and I can’t wait to see it on my car.”
Steve Lauletta: President, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing: “I really love to see big brands come into the sport and it is even better when they are on one of our cars. I don’t know if there is a bigger or hotter video game brand right now than the Guitar Hero franchise. We had an opportunity to work with them last season and now look forward to a long and mutually beneficial partnership with Activision.”(Aric Almirola site)
Friday, January 30, 2009
Front Row Motorsports partners with Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing: Front Row Motorsports and driver John Andretti have formed a partnership with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing that will put Andretti behind the wheel of the No. 34 Sprint Cup car in the Daytona 500, Front Row Motorsports announced today. The team will be guaranteed a spot in the Daytona 500 because it will have top-35 owners points from last year, although it was unclear whose points it will have. The Dale Earnhardt Inc.-Chip Ganassi Racing merger had resulted in six full-time teams being folded into three full-time teams. “Anytime you get the opportunity to race in the Daytona 500, it’s a privilege," said Andretti, who has 358 career Sprint Cup starts. "I am honored to be able to do that this year through a relationship with Earnhardt Ganassi and Front Row Motorsports." The team will have sponsorship from Window World. Steve Lane, who was crew chief for Dario Franchitti until Ganassi parked the Franchitti car for financial reasons midway through last season, will be Andretti’s crew chief for the Daytona 500. (SceneDaily.com)
Saturday, January 24, 2009
EGR to name fourth Cup driver: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing will field a fourth entry -- the No. 41 Chevrolet -- in the Feb. 15 Daytona 500 and expects to decide on a driver Monday, team president Steve Lauletta said Saturday before the start of the Rolex 24 Grand-Am race at Daytona International Speedway. The No. 41 entry will join Juan Montoya (No. 42 Chevy), Martin Truex Jr. (No. 1 Chevy) and Aric Almirola (No. 8 Chevy) to make a four-car contingent for the organization that was formed in an offseason merger of Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. Lauletta said the choice had been narrowed to two drivers but declined to name them, though he did indicate that veteran Sterling Marlin was not among the finalists. (NASCAR.com)
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
More layoffs at EGR: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing laid off another 30 employees on Tuesday, bringing the total to more than 150 since the 2008 season ended. (ESPN.com)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
EGR to field three cars in '09: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates confirmed late Tuesday that it will campaign full-time Chevrolets for Juan Pablo Montoya, Martin Truex Jr. and Aric Almirola in 2009, with a fourth car entered for the Daytona 500. No sponsor has been announced for Almirola’s No. 8 car, nor has a driver been picked for the fourth car, according to EGR President Steve Lauletta, who gave an impromptu press briefing late Tuesday during the Sprint Cup Media Tour Presented by Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Target will sponsor Montoya in the No. 42, with former co-primary Wrigley’s taking on a role as associate sponsor, Lauletta said. Bass Pros Shops will sponsor the No. 1 of Truex. “We kind of get the best of both worlds putting our 20-year relationship with Target on Juan. He won the Indy 500 with them before and then Wrigley’s can still continue to do their NASCAR programming around Juan and remain with the team.” (Speedtv.com)
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Ginn/HMS Holdings contract numbers: If you’re looking to lease engines from Hendrick Motorsports for a NASCAR operation, you’d better be prepared to open up your wallet. A legal battle being played out in North Carolina courts is offering rare insight into the usually secretive world of the sport’s finances as the Hendrick operation seeks compensation from the Ginn Racing team that wound up as part of Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 2007. According to a contract filed as part of the case, the Hendrick engine lease agreement with Ginn Racing called for Ginn to pay a base rent of $12.8 million in 2007 and $13.7 million in 2008 to lease engines for its three Sprint Cup teams and one team in what is now the Nationwide Series. The fee covered Cup engines for 36 race events and up to nine tests or special events and Nationwide engines for 35 events, according to the contract filed as part of a lawsuit by HMS Holdings against Ginn Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. over the termination fees resulting from the Ginn-DEI merger in July 2007.(SceneDaily.com)
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Bobby Labonte and Earnhardt-Ganassi working out contract details: Bobby Labonte will drive the #41 Target Chevrolet for Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing in 2009, joining Martin Truex, Jr., Juan Pablo Montoya and Aric Almirola as part of a newly merged, four-car team. Labonte has not commented since announcing his split from Petty Enterprises last week, and the new Earnhardt-Ganassi operation remains in a virtual media lockdown. However, multiple sources close to the situation tell Sirius Speedway that a deal to put Labonte in the #41 is signed, sealed and delivered, after receiving the approval of sponsor Target. Work has already begun on the necessary promotional infrastructure -- photo shoots, marketing campaigns, ancillary programs, etc. -- for the coming season.(Sirius Speedway's Motorsports Soapbox)
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Earnhardt-Ganassi to race Chevrolets; compete out of Ganassi shop: The new Earnhardt Ganassi Racing team will run Chevrolets and work out of the Chip Ganassi Racing shop, a team spokesman confirmed Tuesday. The team still has not named a driver nor a crew chief for the No. 41 car, and it needs a a half-season sponsorship for Juan Pablo Montoya. The new organization resulted from a merger of Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Chip Ganassi Racing, which was announced in mid-November. Doug Randolph will serve as crew chief for Aric Almirola's No. 8 team, a spokesman said. (SceneDaily.com)
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