Full Throttle

I’ve been in resistance mode all week and have refrained from noting the numerous stories, all with no byline or from the all too familiar and [in]famous anonymous sources (pictured left) on a potential DEI, Ganassi Racing Merger.

Well, the time is now, my resistance has been nullified.

The story now has a byline, the AP’s trustworthy Jenna Fryer, although still reported by unnamed sources. The story goes something like this:

DEI drivers Martin Truex Jr, Aric Almirola and Ganassi drivers, um… correction, driver Juan “Don’t Call Me Pablo” Montoya and a driver yet to be named later will all race for a merged entity called Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. (Notice how Teresa grabbed Top Billing - ed)

What’s it all mean? Well, from a personal level it means my rewriting of the DEI acronym (Don’t Expect Interest) wasn’t totally accurate.

The question now is what does interest from, and merger with Ganassi do for both teams?

The most obvious advantage is competing on even terms - four-car teams are mandated by NASCAR - and all the top teams have four. On that score the new team is even with the Roushs and Hendricks of the sport, but beyond that I still have questions.

At present only Truex’s car has full sponsorship for next season, Montoya has half a season of sponsorship, and Ganassi’s “flagship” #41 has full sponsorship and the previously noted “driver to be named later.”

That’s four seasons worth of full sponsorship to sell with only two-and-a-half seasons under contract as the merger takes place. If DEI and Ganassi couldn’t swing deals for a combined season and a half I don’t see the merger helping in any tangible way.

On-track news may be to Ganassi’s advantage. The merger means he taps into the Chevy/GM technology pipeline and the additional boost given by DEI’s previous merger of engine shops with RCR and their proven expertise. That can’t be all bad.

But there’s a large elephant stampeding around this merged garage.

It goes by the name of Organizational Excellence.

Neither team has exactly set the NASCAR Nation on fire with a long string of victories. While not at the bottom of the barrel, Chip Ganassi has been riding herd over what appears at times a rudderless ship, and Teresa lost her meal ticket in Dale Jr., his crew chief, and a number of other key personnel since the Junior defection.

Will the competitive edge improve under a four team business model? Only time will tell.

There’s another aspect to this rumor if proven true, Ganassi dropping Dodge and moving into the Chevy camp.

That would seem to lend some credence, albeit small, to the General Motors, Chrysler merger talks. That rumor was all the rage a few days ago.

Stories out of D.C. broke claiming the Congress Critters were thinking of diverting part of the 700 dollar banking bailout to Detroit, then, was later confirmed.

Since then the rumor has been on hiatus, so to speak. Regardless, it offers an interesting twist to the story and something to watch in the next few weeks.

UPDATE: Rumor confirmed. “Having a partner like Chip who is heavily involved on the competition side of the business is an ideal situation for DEI,” said DEI team owner Teresa Earnhardt in a news release.

“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.”

Well then Teresa, a question for you:

You’ve given Chip high praise for his efforts in IndyCar and Rolex Grand-Am, and deservedly so, but what has he done in NASCAR other than run mid-pack and completely botch a couple contract negotiations?