Dale Earnhardt Inc., Ginn Racing complete merger

Dale Earnhardt Inc., Ginn Racing complete merger

By Sporting News Wire Service
July 25, 2007
11:14 AM EDT

Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Ginn Racing have completed a merger that will bring four race teams under the DEI banner, beginning this week in the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The official announcement is expected Thursday at Indianapolis.

The No. 01 Ginn Racing team of Mark Martin will join the three existing DEI teams of Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 8), Martin Truex Jr. (No. 1) and Paul Menard (No. 15). As part of the merger, the owner points from one of Ginn's teams -- either the Nos. 13 or 14 -- could go to Menard's car.

Ginn recently released Joe Nemechek from the No. 13 Chevrolet and Sterling Marlin from the No. 14. Menard's No. 15 Chevy currently is 39th in owner points, while the Nos. 13 and 14 are within the top 35 (34th and 30th, respectively) and thereby guaranteed starting spots in Nextel Cup races, as long as they remain in the top 35.

Because Bobby Ginn will be the owner of record of the Nos. 01 and 15 cars, the transfer of owner points will be seamless, and Menard will be locked into the field for Sunday's race at Indy.

DEI would acquire Ginn's shop and seven-post machine in Mooresville, N.C., and that DEI management would spearhead the transition. A seven-post machine simulates suspension dynamics and in theory saves actual test time on the track.

Ginn, a developer, entered the sport last year when he bought 80 percent interest in MB2 Motorsports, which subsequently was renamed Ginn Racing.

Left in limbo is the status of driver Regan Smith, who was announced last week as the new full-time driver of the No. 14.

Smith has been sharing driving duties with Martin, but that role now falls to Aric Almirola, who recently left Joe Gibbs Racing to sign with Ginn.

One persistent rumor has Furniture Row Racing, which fields the No. 78 cars of Kenny Wallace, acquiring the owner points from one of the Ginn cars. Such a move would require NASCAR's approval.