Contact Status: Driver: 2008+; Sponsors: 200?
Races [1] that The Hartford is scheduled to be the primary sponsor:
Bristol 3/16
Races [?] that Fastenal is scheduled to be the primary sponsor:
Atlanta - 3/9
Races [?] that Target has been the primary sponsor:
California - 2/24
Las Vegas - 3/2
Races [1] that Dodge Journey has been the primary sponsor:
Daytona - 2/17
Races [1] that Tums is scheduled to be the primary sponsor:
Talladega - 4/27
Races [?] that Kennametal is scheduled to be the primary sponsor:
Martinsville - 3/30
Texas - 4/6
and also...
Richmond - 5/3
- Franchitti's status still unclear: #40-Dario Franchitti continues to heal from the broken left ankle he sustained during a Nationwide Series race at Talladega last month, with no firm timetable for his return. “There’s not really been any change,” Franchitti said Saturday. “I’m just waiting for the swelling to go down and the pain to go away, and for the fracture to heal. When those things go away, I’ll be able to drive the car again.” Sterling Marlin drove Chip Ganassi Racing’s #40 Dodge at Darlington, and could do so again at Charlotte if Franchitti is not ready. Franchitti has been monitoring the amount of pressure he puts on his ankle. After a couple hours of walking around, Franchitti elevates his leg and uses a boot that circulates cold water through it to alleviate the swelling. He had considered testing at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, but the doctor nixed that idea. Franchitti obliged, remembering how he rushed back from injuries earlier in his career to mixed results. He recently traveled to Indianapolis – not to ponder racing in the Indy 500, where he is the reigning champion, but to get fitted for a carbon fiber brace that supports his ankle. He’ll use the brace when he returns to the car.(SceneDaily)(5-12-2008)
- Marlin back in the #40; Franchitti update: Former CGRFS driver Sterling Marlin will drive the #40 Dodge Challenger in this Saturday night's Sprint Cup race at Darlington Raceway, while its full-time driver Dario Franchitti continues to recover from a race injury he received in the NNS event at Talladega Superspeedway last month (April 26). At this time, Marlin is confirmed to drive for CGRFS at Darlington only. He raced full-time for CGRFS when the team started in 2001 and drove for CGRFS from 2001-2005 tallying
172 starts, four wins, three poles, 24 top-fives, 57 top-10s and led a total of 1,444 laps. Marlin also tested the #40 Monday and Tuesday at Lowe's Motor Speedway
Franchitti Update: Dario Franchitti, full-time driver of the #40 CGRFS Dodge, will sit out this weekend's NSCS race at Darlington Raceway. Franchitti was fitted for a carbon fiber brace last week but will take another weekend off to give his ankle more time to heal. His status behind the wheel of the #40 Dodge will continue to be evaluated on a week-to-week basis.
Speical Scheme: The #40 Dodge will feature the new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 on its hood this weekend in Darlington, S.C. Powered by a 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine that produces 425 horsepower, the Challenger SRT8 is true to its historical roots, but with modern features that customers expect like SIRIUS Satellite radio, UConnect hands-free phone and MyGIG infotainment system featuring a 30 gig hard drive. For more information about the new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, go to www.dodge.com.(CGRFS)(5-7-2008) Comment here
- Kennametal Back Onboard the #40: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced in late March an expansion of its current partnership with Kennametal to include primary sponsorship for multiple NSCS races this 2008 season. Kennametal made its primary sponsorship debut at Martinsville Speedway earlier this year and is going for its second run this weekend at RIR on the #40, to be driven by Ken Schrader. Kennametal, a longtime CGRFS partner, supplies tooling and machining technology to the team's Charlotte and Indianapolis-based racing shops. In addition, Kennametal provides the team's engineers and machinists with a myriad of opportunities to further refine their skills in order to gain optimum performance through Kennametal's internal university program.(CGRFS) See images of the scheme on my #40 Team Schemes page.(5-2-2008)
- Marlin in the #40 at Darlington: Sterling Marlin will rejoin Chip Ganassi Racing as a temporary replacement for injured #40-Dario Franchitti at the May 10 Sprint Cup race at Darlington. Marlin said he also will be a standby for Franchitti for the May 25 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte [Lowe's Motor Speedway, Coke 600]. Veteran driver Ken Schrader has been signed to replace Franchitti for Saturday’s Cup race [at Richmond]. Marlin already was scheduled to drive for #09 Phoenix Racing at Richmond. Marlin said he will test at Charlotte for Ganassi on Monday and Tuesday. He will not participate in the Sprint Cup All-Star race on May 17 in Charlotte. His daughter — a senior at Columbia Academy — is graduating from high school that weekend.(Tennessean)(5-1-2008) Comment here
- Marlin back in the #40 at Darlington? Schrader at Richmond UPDATE 2: Sterling Marlin may drive again for Chip Ganassi Racing as a substitute for the injured Dario Franchitti in the May 10 Sprint Cup race at Darlington. Marlin drove eight seasons for Ganassi in the #40 Dodge before being replaced prior to the 2006 season. Marlin said nothing had been made official. “They’ve mentioned Darlington,” Marlin said. “I told them it’s whatever they want to do.” Marlin is committed to driving for Phoenix Racing in Richmond in Saturday night’s Cup race. He said his remaining schedule with the race team is not set. He signed a 10-race deal with Phoenix Racing prior to the season. Marlin finished 22nd in Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 — the first Cup race he qualified for this season. Marlin also is scheduled to compete in six Late Model races at Music City Motorplex beginning on May 10, but he said a Cup ride would take priority. Franchitti broke his left ankle in a crash on the 11th lap of Saturday’s Nationwide race at Talladega. It has not been determined how many races Franchitti will miss.(Tennessean), the #09 is not listed on the Richmond entry list...yet. Other drivers I have heard under consider for the #40 ride at Richmond include Ricky Rudd, Tony Raines, Mike Bliss, Dennis Setzer and Ken Schrader. Hearing Franchitti is having a carbon fiber cast put on Tuesday and the plan is for him to be back at Charlotte [All Star race May 17th].(4-29-2008)
UPDATE: hearing that Ken Schrader will driver the #40 Dodge at Richmond, subbing for the injured Dario Franchitti.(4-29-2008)
UPDATE 2: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) driver Dario Franchitti was re-evaluated this week by his doctors and will sit out this weekend's Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) race at Richmond International Raceway (RIR). NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader will drive the #40 Kennametal Dodge on Saturday for the 400-lap event. Franchitti was seen by Dr. Terry Trammel and Dr. Kevin Scheid in Indianapolis, Ind. on Monday. The doctors confirmed the slight fracture in Franchitti's left ankle. Franchitti will be fitted for a carbon fiber brace later this week. His status behind the wheel of the #40 Dodge will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis. Schrader is confirmed to race for CGRFS in Richmond only. Franchitti will also be in Richmond with the #40 team.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates).(4-29-2008) Comment here
- Franchitti injured in Nationwide race, Stremme to run #40 UPDATE: #40-Dario Franchitti has fractured his left ankle in the Nationwide Series race at Talladega on Saturday and will not be able to race in Sunday's Sprint Cup race. David Stremme, former driver of the #40 Dodge for Ganassi Racing, has been asked to sub for Franchitti and got permission from Roger Penske [he is their test driver] and Rusty Wallace [who Stremme drives for in the Nationwide Series] to start and run the race Sunday.(PRN's Garage Pass)(4-26-2008)
UPDATE: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) driver Dario Franchitti will not compete in the Sprint Cup Series race Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway after suffering a slight fracture in his left ankle as a result of a collision on lap 11 in Saturday's Nationwide Series (NNS) event. Franchitti will be reevaluated early next week. On lap 11, Franchitti's #40 Fastenal Dodge blew a right-rear tire which caused the on-track incident. Franchitti was treated at the Talladega Superspeedway infield care center and then driven to Physicians Medical Center Carraway in Birmingham, Ala., where he was further evaluated, treated and released.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates)(4-27-2008)
UPDATE 2: Stremme will replace the injured Dario Franchitti today in the #40 for Chip Ganassi Racing. Franchitti broke his ankle in a hard wreck Saturday in the Nationwide race. Stremme drove the #40 full time last year but was released to make way for Franchitti. Stremme stressed that it's just a one-race deal and the team has yet to decide what to do for the race at Richmond next week. Ganassi Manager of Competition Steve Hmiel said no plans have been made yet for Richmond or beyond, depending on how quickly Franchitti can return. "Hopefully Dario will be back sooner rather than later, but it's very unclear at this point," he said.(Alabama Live)(4-27-2008) Comment here
- Tums scheme for Franchitti at 'dega: This weekend the all-new TUMS QuikPak instant dissolve powder will serve as the primary sponsor of the #40 CGRFS
Dodge Charger at Talladega Superspeedway fro Dario Franchitti. TUMS first became a CGRFS partner in 2007, as an associate sponsor of the #40 and #41 cars. This will be Franchitti's first time representing the TUMS brand. The #40 TUMS QuikPak Dodge team is taking on the identity of its primary sponsor by renaming the pit crew "The TUMS
QuikPak" for this weekend's Aaron's 499 Sprint Cup series race.(CGRFS), see images of the scheme on my #40 Team Schemes page.(4-25-2008)
- Hornish, Franchitti will not run Indy 500: Sprint Cup rookies Dario Franchitti and Sam Hornish Jr., the men who won the last two Indianapolis 500s, will not compete in the race next month. Their NASCAR team owners -- Chip Ganassi for the #40 Dodge Franchitti drives and Roger Penske for the # 77 Dodge Hornish drives -- both said the Indy 500 is not part of the plan this season. The two Cup rookies will concentrate on the Coca-Cola 600 Cup race that day (May 25) at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. Penske, who is traveling in Europe this week, called Rusty Wallace on Tuesday from England to tell him Hornish would not race at Indy this year. Penske wanted to end the speculation that David Stremme would replace Hornish in the Coca-Cola 600 so Hornish could race at Indy. The speculation about Hornish also brought rumors about Franchitti possibly returning to the Indy 500 next month to defend his victory from last season. But Ganassi made his feelings clear: "No way we're doing that," Ganassi said. Ganassi also said that Franchitti is totally committed to his move to NASCAR.(ESPN.com)(4-18-2008) Comment here
- Ganassi promises changes if Cup teams don't improve: Chip Ganassi wasn't pleased with his NASCAR teams long before #40-Dario Franchitti failed to qualify for Sunday's race at Texas Motor Speedway. Just how unhappy the car owner actually is became clear Saturday when he unleashed a blistering indictment of his team's performance so far this season. "Frankly, there are 46 cars there and if you can't beat three of them, that's pretty pathetic," Ganassi said on Sirius Satellite Radio. "I certainly have all the faith in the world in (Franchitti's) driving abilities. I don't think it's that. The fact of the matter is, we didn't give him a car that was capable of doing it." Although he praised the work Montoya and his # 42 crew has done to rebound from a slow start to the season, Ganassi was particularly upset with the performance of Sorenson's #41 team. The third-year driver has four finishes of 31st or worse."The 41 team, it's the same old things that take them out," he said. "One week its this, the next week it's that, and it's sort of this combination of all of the above. Everybody on the 41 team is going to have to take a good look in the mirror and ask themselves if they are prepared for what's coming down the pike." Ganassi, who was in St. Petersburg, Fla., with his IRL teams, said later Saturday he won't hesitate to make personnel changes if that's what it will take to get his teams turned in the right direction.(Associated Press/CBS Sports)(4-6-2008) Comment here
- Tums to sponsor fall Martinsville race and #40, #41 cars: TUMS announced that it is using its newest product, the TUMS QuikPak instant dissolve powder, to bring its fastest relief ever to Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va., as the entitlement sponsor of the October 19, 2008 Sprint Cup series race – The TUMS QuikPak 500. The TUMS QuikPak 500 will be the first NASCAR race sponsored by the TUMS brand. The race sponsorship will continue to build on the long-standing relationship between GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare and the .526-mile Virginia short track. The partnership began in 1983 when Goody’s Headache Powder first sponsored the Goody’s 500 at Martinsville Speedway. In addition to the TUMS QuikPak 500 at Martinsville Speedway, TUMS will serve as an associate sponsor of the #40 and #41 Dodges for Chip Ganassi Racing with
Felix Sabates (CGRFS) throughout the 2008 season. The TUMS logo will appear on the B-post and rear quarter panel. The agreement also includes a primary sponsorship in two races. TUMS QuikPak will serve as the primary sponsor of Sprint Cup series rookie Dario Franchitti’s #40 Dodge Charger for the Aaron’s 499 race at Talladega Superspeedway on
April 27. CGRFS teammate Reed Sorenson will carry the TUMS QuikPak paint scheme under the lights August 23 for the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. TUMS will host 18 fan events at race tracks during the season. For each event, TUMS will bring its blue QuikZone display to the fan concourse area along with TUMS Racing simulators, games and the TUMS show car. Fans will have an opportunity to learn more about TUMS fast relief and simple solutions for heartburn and sample the new TUMS QuikPak. The TUMS QuikZone debuted in Daytona for Speedweeks. The TUMS QuikZone also will travel to community events throughout the country. For more information on TUMS Racing, visit www.TUMSracing.com.(Clear!Blue PR) see images of the cars on my #40 Team Schemes page and #41 Team Schemes page.(3-29-2008)
- Kennametal to sponsor Franchitti at Martinesville and Texas: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) announced an expansion of their current partnership with Kennametal to include primary sponsorship for the next two Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) races in Martinsville and Texas on the W40 Dodge Charger driven by NSCS and Nationwide Series (NNS) Raybestos Rookie of the Year points leader Dario Franchitti. A longtime CGRFS partner, Kennametal supplies tooling and machining technology to CGRFS' Charlotte and Indianapolis-based racing shops. In addition they provide the team's engineers and machinists a myriad of opportunities to further refine their skills in order to gain optimum performance through Kennametal's internal university program.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)(3-26-2008)
- The Hartford & Ganassi Racing to Launch Partnership at BMS: With its iconic stag logo taking its place on the hood of an 800-horsepower racing machine, The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., announced that it will sponsor #40 Dodge Charger on March 16 at the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway with driver Dario Franchitti.
"For a company like The Hartford, with a nationwide network of independent agents, we know how important it is to be associated with an outstanding team," said Michael Concannon, senior vice president, personal lines. "That's why a partnership with Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) is a great fit." Bearing The Hartford's distinctive colors, the maroon and yellow race car will feature The Hartford's branding on the hood, tv and quarter panels. Franchitti will wear a maroon and yellow firesuit featuring The Hartford and the stag logo. In addition to the primary paint scheme in Bristol, The Hartford will continue to be featured on the #40 Dodge as an associate sponsor for the remainder of the 2008 season. Furthermore, Franchitti and Ganassi's IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon will both carry The Hartford's iconic stag logo on their fire suits throughout the Sprint Cup and IRL
IndyCar Series seasons, respectively. More info about The Hartford at thehartford.com..(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)(3-11-2008)
IMAGE see an image of the schemne on my #40 Team Schemes page.(3-12-2008) Comment here
- Dodge re-ups with Penske and Ganassi: Dodge executives have taken team owners Roger Penske and Chip Ganassi out of the Toyota equation by signing new contracts with the two. That keeps Dodge with a four-team lineup, including Petty Enterprises and Gillett-Evernham. When Toyota first announced its NASCAR plans, there was considerable speculation that both Penske and Ganassi would eventually switch.(Winston Salem Journal)(2-18-2008)
- Dario Franchitti To Be Profiled on HBO: In an HBO REAL SPORTS/Sports Illustrated collaboration, correspondent Mary Carillo profiles #40-Dario Franchitti, Monday Feb. 11 at 10:00pm/et on HBO. It will also re-air six times over the course of the next month.(NASCAR PR)(2-10-2008)
- Franchitti gets sponsor for Daytona UPDATE: The new Dodge vehicle - Dodge Journey - a SUV, station wagon "crossover" will be the primary sponsor for #40-Dario Franchitti in the 50th running of the Daytona 500. The deal is only for Daytona. After that Franchitti's #40 Dodge Charger's paint scheme may change from week-to-week as no set company has forked over the necessary money for the entire season. Is this reason for Franchitti to be alarmed? Not really. Owner Chip Ganassi has said he will run three cars all season.(Tennessean)(2-8-2008)
UPDATE: Dodge announced that Dario Franchitti’s #40 Dodge Charger will carry an “All-New Dodge Journey” paint scheme for the 50th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 17. The all-new 2009 Dodge Journey is the mid-size crossover that offers customers an alternative to the traditional car, minivan or SUV. With a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $19,985, it falls between the compact Dodge Caliber and the Dodge Grand Caravan. The new 2009 Dodge Journey launches later this spring. The partnership has Franchitti’s Charger carrying the “All-New Dodge Journey” paint scheme throughout the 10 days of Speedweeks activities leading up to the season-opening Daytona 500. The 2009 Dodge Journey will be available in three models: Dodge Journey SE equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder World Engine and Dodge Journey SXT and R/T models equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transaxle with Auto Stick. Journey SXT and R/T models also are available with a state-of-the-art all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. Also in 2008, Dodge will introduce its modern muscle car the all-new Dodge Challenger [headed to Nationawide Series in 2009?].(Dodge PR)(2-9-2008) Comment here.
- Ganassi expects to line up sponsors for Franchitti UPDATE: Team owner Chip Ganassi says that he expects to put together a "patchwork" of sponsorship for Dario Franchitti and his #40 Sprint Cup team. Franchitti, the 2007 IndyCar Series champion, will debut as a rookie in the NASCAR series this season. The team has not announced sponsorship plans for that car. Ganassi didn't seem too worried about that while speaking with reporters during the annual NASCAR media tour put together by Lowe's Motor Speedway.(SceneDaily.com)(1-22-2008)
UPDATE 2 - Energizer to sponsor Franchitti for 5 races? hearing that #40-Dario Franchitti will be sponsored by Energizer batteries for the first five races of the 2008 season while the team looks for other sponsors and a full primary sponsor. Also hearing that Fastenal, who will sponsor Ganassi teams in the Nationwide Series, could sponsor the #40 Sprint Cup a few races. See images of the #40 Fastenal Nationwide scheme on the Nationwide Paint Schemes page.(1-22-2008) Comment here
- Calinoff returns to spot the #40 car: When David Stremme arrived on the Sprint Cup Series scene in 2006, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates hired 15-year veteran spotter Mike Calinoff to provide experience and guidance for the rookie. Now, two years later and faced with a similar scenario, Ganassi has signed Calinoff to once again provide that experience from the spotter¹s tower for his newest Sprint Cup rookie, 2007 Indianapolis 500 winner and IRL Series champion Dario Franchitti. An entrepreneur with an array of successful and growing businesses, Calinoff has a vast amount of experience working with drivers in the developmental stage and is eager to begin working with Franchitti. Calinoff began as a NASCAR spotter in 1992. He spent six years spotting for Matt Kenseth, including his 2003 Sprint Cup championship season. He spent the last two years as David Stremme¹s Sprint Cup spotter.(MCI PR)(1-16-2008)
- Franchitti Racking Up Awards as Daytona 500 Nears After a combined six starts in ARCA, NASCAR's Craftsman Truck and Busch Series, and his debut in the 2008
Sprint Cup Series' Daytona 500 looming in the distance, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates' (CGRFS) Dario Franchitti has been racking up the accolades over the holiday season both in the United States and abroad. Franchitti's feats in winning the Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar title won him the Sports Personality of the Year at the Scottish Sports Awards in early December. The announcement was made at a ceremony held at the Glasgow Hilton Hotel for Franchitti, who became the first Scot to win since Jim Clark in 1965. While overseas, Franchitti was presented a Gregor Grant Award during the annual Autosport Awards in London. The award, named after Autosport's founding editor, was presented in recognition of outstanding achievement in motorsport. Previous recipients include world rally champion Carlos Sainz, Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone and Formula One World Champion Jack Brabham. The 1966 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year and fellow Scot Jackie Stewart presented the award to Franchitti. Franchitti also attended the awards ceremony for the Scottish Motor Racing Club (SMRC) where he received the coveted Stewart Medal presented only at the discretion of racing legend Jackie Stewart. Stewart's
40-year reign as SMRC president came to an end this year, and Franchitti is one of only five to ever receive the honor. As a follow up, the SMRC awarded Franchitti the John Romanes Swift Trophy, in addition to an honorary lifetime membership to the organization. Franchitti picked up both the Earl Howe Trophy and the Era Club Trophy as the British Racing Driver's Club (BRDC) celebrated racing achievements of 2007 at their Annual Awards Luncheon at The Savoy in London. The Earl Howe Trophy is awarded to the highest placed British Driver in the Indy 500 or to the British driver who has established the most meritorious performance of the year in North America, while the Era Club Trophy is awarded to the driver who best displayed the qualities of courage and sportsmanship epitomized by the late Innes Ireland. Franchitti is also one of 12 finalists for the Speed Performer of the Year, which will be awarded during the SPEED Performance Awards in February. Finally, Franchitti has been nominated for the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association (AARWBA) All-America Team in the Open Wheel category. The annual AARWBA banquet will be held January 12th in downtown Indianapolis. He will also make time in the off season to collect his Borg Warner trophy and Indianapolis 500 ring at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)(12-17-2007)
- Montoya, Franchitti, Pruett to Run Rolex 24 At Daytona:Defending Grand-Am Rolex 24 At Daytona winners Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) announced a two-car effort for the Rolex Sports Car Series' 46th running of the prestigious Rolex 24 At Daytona, featuring eight drivers representing some of the best talent the motor racing world has to offer. Juan Pablo Montoya, Dario Franchitti, Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas will unite for the twice-round-the-clock classic to form the driver lineup in the #01 TELMEX/Target Daytona Prototype, while Team Target IndyCar pilots Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon join Salvador Duran and Alex Lloyd in the #02 Target/TELMEX Daytona Prototype.(CGRFS PR)(12-11-2007)
- Fastenal to sponsor Ganassi Racing/Sorenson/Franchitti? UPDATE: hearing that Fastenal Company [which formerly sponsored the #18 Bobby Hamliton Racing CTS team] has signed a deal to sponsor Dario Franchitti and the #40 Dodge in the 2008 Nationwide [was Busch] Series. Fastenal will also sponsor Reed Sorenson in a few select Sprint Cup racess in 2008.(11-20-2007)
UPDATE: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) announced that Fastenal Company, a leading global industrial and construction supply distributor, has signed a multi-year deal with the team to sponsor driver Dario Franchitti and the #40 Dodge Charger in the 2008 Nationwide Series. The program will feature Franchitti as the car’s primary driver and also include select races with his CGRFS Sprint Cup Series teammate Reed Sorenson behind the wheel.(CGRFS PR)(11-20-2007)
- Stremme to Nationwide Series with RWI? UPDATE 3, looking for Cup gig: Hearing David Stremme will drive a part time Nationwide Series schedule for Rusty Wallace Inc in 2008, splitting time with rookie Chase Austin.(10-25-2007)
UPDATE: Expect an announcement Sunday in Atlanta that David Stremme will run a 20-race schedule of Nationwide Series races next season for Rusty Wallace, Inc. Sources close to the team tell Sirius Speedway that Stremme will split the schedule with youngster Chase Austin, running all the companion events with the Sprint Cup Series. Stremme is still rumored to be in the running for the handful of rides still open on the Cup side for 2008, as well.(Motorsports Soapbox)(10-26-2007)
UPDATE 2: David Stremme says that signing with Rusty Wallace Racing to drive in the Nationwide Series in 2008 has no impact on his hunt for a job in the Nextel Cup Series. Stremme is parting ways with the #40 Chip Ganassi Racing team at the end of the season. He announced Sunday morning that he'll be driving for Wallace in 17 Nationwide Series races next season. Although that team will be a Chevy organization, Stremme does not think that will have an impact on any ongoing negotiations. As to a Cup ride, he says that he's been discussing various opportunities with his agent.(SceneDaily.com)(10-29-2007)
UPDATE 3: David Stremme continues to search for a Cup ride for next season, but his agent said that Stremme won't take any ride. Stremme is set to drive in 20 Busch races for Rusty Wallace's team next season -- all companion events with the Cup series. Stremme will be replaced by Indy 500 champion Dario Franchitti at Chip Ganassi Racing next season. One possibility, agent Jeff Dickerson said, is that Stremme could drive a fourth car for Ganassi in 2008 if a sponsor is found.(Roanoke Times)(11-8-2007)
- Juicy Fruit debut at Phoenix: Juicy Fruit will make its debut in the Nextel Cup Series at Phoenix this weekend when #40-David Stremme will take to the track rocking a new paint scheme in the signature yellow Wrigley's Juicy Fruit Dodge. Wrigley's Juicy Fruit has been on board this season for nearly 20 NBS races with the #41 Dodge.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)(11-8-2007)
- New look for the #40 at Texas: This weekend as David Stremme and the #40 team take to Texas Motor Speedway, he will be piloting a fresh new HomeLife Communities paint scheme. HomeLife Communities is a third-generation, family-run business based in Atlanta, Georgia and is the leader in value housing. New-home designs are available in Atlanta,
Georgia, Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina, Phoenix, Arizona, and Albuquerque, New Mexico.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)(11-2-2007)
- Hmiel to Ganassi: UPDATE: Steve Hmiel has joined Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. Hmiel will be responsible for competition management, race preparation, race engineering and testing. John Fernandez remains managing director. Tony Glover will remain as team manager overseeing race weekend activities.(10-26-2007)
UPDATE: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) announced Steve Hmiel, former director of technical operations at Dale Earnhardt, Inc., has accepted a new position with the organization to serve as manager of competition of its Concord racing operation. John Fernandez will continue to manage the long-term strategic direction of the CGRFS race operations while Steve will focus more on the competition management and preparation – including race engineering. Both Hmiel and Fernandez will report directly to Ganassi.(CGRFS PR)(10-26-2007)
- Stremme to Nationwide Series with RWI? Hearing David Stremme will drive a part time Nationwide Series schedule for Rusty Wallace Inc in 2008, splitting time with rookie Chase Austin.(10-25-2007)
UPDATE: Expect an announcement Sunday in Atlanta that David Stremme will run a 20-race schedule of Nationwide Series races next season for Rusty Wallace, Inc. Sources close to the team tell Sirius Speedway that Stremme will split the schedule with youngster Chase Austin, running all the companion events with the Sprint Cup Series. Stremme is still rumored to be in the running for the handful of rides still open on the Cup side for 2008, as well.(Motorsports Soapbox)(10-26-2007)
- #40 Coors Light Dodge to feature St. Jude Paint Scheme at Atlanta: Coors Light, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) announced the #40 Coors Light Dodge driven by David Stremme will be wrapped with a special St. Jude paint scheme for this weekend's Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The purpose of the paint scheme is to increase awareness of the hospital and its work as well as to support Coors Light's yearly pumpkin-themed "Halloween Pinups" fundraiser. During the month-long "Halloween Pinups" promotion, Coors and its distributors will focus on raising money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. In the Atlanta area, employees at participating retail locations will ask patrons to make a $1 donation to St. Jude's to join in the fight against catastrophic childhood diseases. In return for the contribution, the donors will have the opportunity to write their names on pumpkin-themed pinups which will be displayed in each location through Halloween. In addition to its annual "Halloween Pinup" promotion, Coors Light will make a $10,000 base donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on race weekend, with an incremental donation for every lap Stremme completes in the race. Since 1997, Chip Ganassi Racing Teams, Inc. has raised more than $440,000 for St. Jude Hospital and Target House by donating $5,000 for each victory, $1,000 for each pole position and $25 for each lap led.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)(10-23-2007)
- No more contracts for Ganassi crews: Car owner Chip Ganassi [#'s 40,41,42] is reshuffling his massive operation for 2008, releasing a number of crewmen and saying he will not be signing any crewmen to contracts anymore.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-22-2007)
- Special schemes for Sorenson and Stremme: Target and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) announced today that the #41 Target Dodge will feature a pink paint scheme for the next two Nextel Cup Series events to raise awareness for Breast Cancer. Reed Sorenson will be running a pink #41 Dodge in this weekend's 500-mile race at Martinsville Speedway and at his hometown track - Atlanta Motor Speedway on Oct. 28. Additionally, Target and CGRFS also announced Sorenson's teammate #40-David Stremme will be driving a Target House Dodge at Martinsville, highlighting Team Target's commitment to cause-related programs. Sorenson has created a donation pledge for the Atlanta race, which Target will match, that consists of a number of levels, with the top amount (including the match) being $36,400. Sorenson will donate $10,000 for a win, $5,000 for a top-five finish, $1,000 for a top-10 finish, $4,100 for a pole and $12.62 for each lap completed, totaling $4,100 if he completes all of the scheduled 325 laps that will make up the Pep Boys Auto 500. He will also auction his autographed custom race helmet and firesuit with proceeds from the pledge and auction benefiting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) and Project Pink House.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR), more info on the auction on the Racing Charities page, see an image of the scheme on the #41 Team Schemes and #40 Team Schemes pages.(10-17-2007)
- Hass Racing Quiet about 2008 Drivers: When it comes to who'll be in what Haas CNC Racing cars in 2008, nobody seems to know much of anything. Joe Custer, the team's general manager, plays his cards close to the vest. Very, very close. Johnny Sauter, driver of the organization's #70 entry, says that he doesn't have a clue what he'll be doing next year, but adds that he's been given permission to look elsewhere. Jeff Green, who steers its #66 Chevy, refuses altogether to comment on the situation. With Scott Riggs already signed for next year and two Haas cars available, there's considerable speculation as to which one he'll drive and whether it'll be Green or Sauter who's left out of the mix. Then again, names other than Riggs' [including Mayfield and Stremme] have been mentioned as joining the operation. If that happens, Green and Sauter would most likely both be gone. According to Custer, neither driver has a decided advantage at this stage of the game.(NASCAR.com)(10-14-2007)
More Stremme Buzz in the Garage: Hearing from many sources that #40 David Stremme is now the leading candidate for at least four teams. Options include third and fourth car situations (GEM?, Penske?, MWR?, Ganassi?) and Haas Racing where Johnny Sauter is expected to be replaced.(10-14-2007)
- Franchitti to make debut in Martinsville truck race: On the heels of Dario Franchitti's successful stock car debut in the ARCA race at Talladega Superspeedway
last weekend, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) announced that Franchitti will continue his development program in the Craftsman Truck Series. Franchitti will qualify the #41 Target Dodge Ram next Saturday at Martinsville Speedway. The Cunningham Motorsports-owned truck will be led by Ganassi Crew Chief Brian Pattie and his CGRFS team, who guided Franchitti through his ARCA debut last weekend. The 0.526-mile oval will mark Franchitti's first run behind the wheel of a NASCAR Truck, and his first ever appearance at the Virginia short track.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)(10-10-2007)
- Stremme? Mayfield to Haas? hearing that both David Stremme, currently driving the #40 Dodge for Chip Ganassi [but out of a job at the end of 2007] has also talked to Haas CNC Racing about driving for them in 2008; also hearing that Jeremy Mayfield, currently driving the #36 Toyota for Bill Davis Racing [but out of a job at the end of 2007] has talked to Haas CNC Racing about driving for them in 2008. Haas CNC Racing has already signed Scott Riggs [now in the #10 Dodge at GEM] to drive one of their cars for them in 2008, either the #66 Chevy currently driven by Jeff Green], the #70 Chevy [currently Johnny Sauter] or a possible third team. Stremme is also being rumored to others rides, including #10 GEN Dodge, Michael Waltrip Racing and Penske Racing [if Horish decides not to run Cup in 2008 in their third car].(10-9-2007)
- Molson Coors, SABMiller Combine U.S. Operations: The makers of Coors and Miller Lite plan to combine their U.S. brewing operations in an effort to compete better against industry leader Anheuser-Busch. The joint venture announced Tuesday will be known as MillerCoors and will have responsibility for selling brands including Miller Lite, Miller Genuine Draft, Coors, Coors Light and Molson Canadian in the U.S. Anheuser-Busch Cos. accounts for about half of the U.S. market with brands such as Budweiser, Michelob and Bud Light. SABMiller PLC will have a 58% economic interest in the venture and MolsonCoors Brewing Co. will own 42% of the new company. They will have equal voting interests, however. The joint venture will also result in cost savings of $500 million, the companies said. That savings will mainly come from reducing shipping distances, finding economies of scale in brewing operations, optimizing production and eliminating duplicate corporate and marketing services. Under the terms of the agreement, the companies said they will conduct all of their U.S. business exclusively through the venture. The companies said by combining their U.S. operations, the venture will be able to invest more in marketing its brands to consumers and compete more effectively with larger brewers like Anheuser-Busch and InBev NV S.A., which imports a large number of global beers into the U.S. and is the world's largest brewer by volume.(AP/Yahoo Biz), no word how or if this will effect the sponsorship of the #2 Pensek Racing Dodge of Kurt Busch, Coor's Light was just announced as the official beer of NASCAR and will not sponsor a team in 2008.(10-9-2007)
- Franchitti finishes 17th in ARCA race; Speed 7th: It took Dario Franchitti less than a straightaway to know he was in foreign territory Friday at Talladega Superspeedway. The reigning IndyCar Series champion and Indianapolis 500 winner saw the green flag wave for the start of Friday's ARCA RE/MAX 250, his stock car debut, and immediately ran out of room on the highbanked 2.66-mile oval. "You can't pass on the left in this kind of racing like you can in IndyCar and people checked up in front of me on the start and I had nowhere to go," Franchitti said, grinning. "That was my first learning experience and it continued all day." The 34-year-old Scot, driving his first race for new employer Chip Ganassi, managed to stay out of trouble throughout the 94-lap event and wound up 17th. "It was a lot of fun out there," he said. "I'm disappointed with the result. But what I've learned, I don't think you can put a price on it. I learned so much today. I'm looking at the long game, I'm looking at next year." The Scot, who signed a multiyear contract Wednesday to replace David Stremme in Ganassi's #40 Cup entry [in 2008], had never even sat in a stock car until earlier this week. Franchitti was outshone on Friday by another open-wheel refugee, Scott Speed, who finished seventh in his first stock car start. Speed, the only American in Formula One before being let go earlier this season by the Scuderia Toro Rossa team, qualified seventh, got as high as third and was never out of the top 15. The race was won by Bill Davis Racing rookie Michael Annett, who dominated, leading 75 laps on the way to giving Toyota its first ARCA win in his first superspeedway race. Frank Kimmel finished second, all but locking up his ninth series title with one race remaining. Points runner-up Michael McDowell, another rookie, was caught up in a five-car cash and finished 32nd.(ESPN.com/AP)(10-6-2007)
- Franchitti qualifies 6th of ARCA race, Speed 7th: Dario Franchitti, in his first official day in a stock car, qualified sixth Thursday for the ARCA RE/MAX 250 at Talladega Superspeedway. The reigning IndyCar Series champion and Indianapolis 500 winner, who this week signed a multiyear contract to drive in NASCAR for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, will make his race debut Friday. The pole went to Bryan Clausen, a developmental driver for Ganassi, at 184.840. Scott Speed, another open-wheel driver making the move to stock cars, was right behind Franchitti in seventh at 183.480.(ESPN.com/AP)(10-5-2007)
- Franchitti to Join Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and Drive #40 Dodge Avenger: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) announced reigning Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series Champion Dario Franchitti has signed a multi-year deal with the organization to compete in the Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) beginning in 2008.
Franchitti will become the first European driver in the 59-year history of NASCAR to join the series full time when he assumes the driving duties of #40 Dodge Avenger next season.
"Any time you can sign a driver of Dario's caliber you have to be thrilled," said Team Owner Chip Ganassi, who now fields cars for three former Indianapolis 500 winners (Juan Pablo Montoya-2000, NNCS; Dan Wheldon-2005, IndyCar; and Franchitti-2007). "Dario is a world-class driver. He is a proven winner, an Indianapolis 500 champion and an
accomplished individual that will be a super teammate to both Juan Pablo and Reed."
Franchitti will immediately begin a stock car development program similar to the one CGRFS teammate Montoya engaged in just over a season ago when he attempts to qualify a CGRFS-prepared #42 Target Dodge in Friday's ARCA race at Talladega Superspeedway. Franchitti now teams with Montoya, a fellow Indianapolis 500 Champion and former CART competitor. The duo took the 1999 CART title to the wire, with the current pilot of the #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge winning via a tiebreaker in the season finale.
The 34-year-old joins CGRFS with impressive open-wheel credentials. Franchitti recently captured the 2007 Indianapolis 500 title, becoming only the second Scottish-born driver to win the race (Jim Clark in 1965), before going on to win the 2007 IndyCar Series Championship over Ganassi driver Scott Dixon in the final turn of the season. With over 180 starts under his belt between the CART and IndyCar Series resulting in 18 wins, 17 poles, 63 top-five and 95 top-10 finishes (1997-2007), Franchitti is the winningest driver in U.S. open-wheel history from Great Britain. He also captured the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring in the LMP2 Class earlier this season in his first ever American Le Mans Series start - much like Montoya did in February at the Rolex 24 At Daytona for CGRFS in his first sports car start.
"I've always admired Chip's teams having competed against them over the years, and recently paid particular attention to Juan's successful transition this season," said Franchitti. "This is a great opportunity to join one of NASCAR's premier teams."
Franchitti began racing karts in 1984 at age 11, landing his first crown in the Scottish Junior Kart Championship. After securing back-to-back British Junior Kart championships (1985-1986), the Scottish Kart championship (1988), the Formula Vauxhall Junior Championship (1991) and the British Formula Vauxhall Lotus Championship (1993), he competed and
won in the British Formula 3 Championship (1994) and the FIA International and German Touring Car Championships (1995-1996) before making the move to CART in 1997. The addition of the Scot to Chip Ganassi Racing Teams' stable of drivers furthers the team's international appeal, which now represents seven countries across five series (United States-Reed Sorenson-NNCS, Bryan Clauson-NBS, Scott Pruett-Grand Am, Rob Finlay-Grand Am, Chris Festa-Indy Pro Series; Colombia-Montoya-NNCS; Scotland-Franchitti-NNCS;
New Zealand-Scott Dixon-IndyCar; England-Dan Wheldon-IndyCar; Canada-Michael Valiante-Grand Am; and Mexico-Memo Rojas-Grand Am).
Franchitti will pilot the #40 Dodge Avenger next season while running for the Sprint Cup Raybestos Rookie of the Year title along with an assortment of Busch Series races.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)(10-3-2007)
- Franchitti to run ARCA race at Talladega UPDATE: Dario Franchitti's much-anticipated move to stock cars will begin Friday with an ARCA race at Talladega Superspeedway, the Associated Press has learned. Franchitti has agreed to a multiyear deal to replace David Stremme in the #40 Dodge for NASCAR's Chip Ganassi Racing, according to a person familiar with the negotiations who requested anonymity because the deal had yet to be announced. An official announcement is expected Wednesday at Ganassi's race shop in North Carolina. Ganassi said Sunday at Kansas Speedway that he was close to a deal with Franchitti's open-wheel team, Andretti Green Racing, to get the 34-year-old Scot out of his contract, which ends Dec. 1. An Andretti Green spokesman said the team would have no comment on Franchitti's move at this time. Franchitti is expected to get some much-needed seat time in stock cars by running a series of races, including ARCA, Busch and Cup, before the end of this season, much as Montoya did in 2006 after leaving Formula One.(Associated Press)(10-2-2007)
UPDATE: Introduction of Driver of the 2008 #40 Dodge, Wednesday, October 3 at Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Race Shop.(CGRFS PR)(10-3-2007)
ON TV: SPEED will interrupt regularly scheduled programming at approximately 10:30am/et Wednesday, October 3rd in order to bring viewers a live press conference from the headquarters of Chip Ganassi Racing in Concord, North Carolina. Programming will resume following the press conference.(10-3-2007)
- Ganassi/Franchitti deal could be done soon: Team owner Chip Ganassi said he is hopeful to have a contract with reigning Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti signed this week. Franchitti, who remains under contract with Andretti Green Racing in the IndyCar Series, is joining Ganassi's NASCAR Cup team for the 2008 season. The plan has been for Franchitti to compete in the ARCA race Friday at Talladega Superspeedway. But Franchitti is scheduled to run the American LeMans Series event at Road Atlanta on Saturday for AGR with teammates Bryan Herta and Tony Kanaan. "Hopefully it will be done this week and hopefully he'll be in Talladega -- hopefully," Ganassi said Sunday before the Cup race at Kansas Speedway. "I'm working hard on it. I've been working on it every single day. He likes to race. He wants to be here."(ESPN.com)(10-1-2007)
- Franchitti's NASCAR plans on hold: Dario Franchitti's plans to kick off his stock car career with Chip Ganassi Racing in two weeks' have been put on hold because of the Scotsman's contractual commitments with Andretti Green Racing. Chip Ganassi has been working on a deal to try to get Franchitti some stock car experience as soon as possible, with the aim of having him well-prepared to drive for his team in the 2008 Sprint Cup Series. However, negotiations have apparently hit a stumbling block as Franchitti is still under contract with AGR, has further commitments to the team, and an early release from his obligations has not been reached. He is scheduled to race for AGR in the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta on October 6, driving an Acura in the LMP2 class, alongside his brother Marino and Bryan Herta. He raced the car earlier this year at Long Beach and Sebring, and has already tested it at Road Atlanta. Chip Ganassi said last Sunday at Dover that he was trying to get Franchitti in an ARCA race at Talladega on October 5, which is one day before the American Le Mans event. Despite both venues being just 150 miles from each other, there are conflicting schedules that would make it very difficult for the Scot to compete in both.
Autosport.com understands that the bottom-line is that Franchitti, the current IRL and Indy 500 champion, won't be able to race for Ganassi until he is out of his current deal with AGR, the team for which he has raced since 1998, when it was still owned by Barry Green in Champ Car. ARCA teams expected to compete on October 5 at Talladega had their only scheduled day of testing on Tuesday, and although Ganassi's team was testing at the track with the #40 car driven by Bryan Clauson, Franchitti was not in attendance.(Autosport.com)(9-27-2007)
- Drivers to thank wounded soldiers: a few NASCAR drivers will pay "Tribute to the Soldiers" this Wednesday, September 26th at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C., along with NASCAR's Brian France, Fox's Darrell Waltrip and wife Stevie, drivers David Stremme, Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, and Tony Stewart. Drivers and executives will participate in the day-long tribute to the nation's soldiers, their families and hospital staff members with autograph sessions, ward visits, and a Q&A session.(PR)(9-26-2007)
- Coors Light to replace Bud as official beer of NASCAR UPDATE 2: Coors Light may become the official beer of NASCAR, replacing Budweiser, according to sources, and Coors may also become the new sponsor of what is now the Busch series tour.(Winston Salem Journal)
AND also hearing Coors could be the sponsor of the #01 DEI team in 2008.(9-9-2007)
UPDATE: Coors Light will announce Tuesday a $20 million deal over five years to become the official beer of NASCAR starting in January. Coors replaces Anheuser-Busch as the official sponsor. The new deal includes renaming the pole award to the Coors Light Pole Award from the Bud Pole Award. For Coors, the NASCAR deal also replaces its sponsorship of the #40 Dodge in the Nextel Cup Series. "Our deal was up with those guys, and this opportunity came up," says Andy England, chief marketer for Coors. "It feels like we are elevating our game." For consumer product marketers, a league deal opens up greater opportunity for strong retail display — especially in and around cities when races occur.(USA Today)
Coors Shootout? no word on what happens to what is known as the Budweiser Shootout BUT, per Florida Today: From Daytona International Speedway: NASCAR’s agreement with Coors does not include the Bud Shootout race, which is a separate entitlement with DIS. There will be a Bud Shootout event in 2008.(9-25-2007)
UPDATE 2: Coors Brewing Company and NASCAR today announced a multi-year partnership, making Coors Light the official beer of NASCAR. The five-year sponsorship agreement gives Coors Brewing Company category exclusivity starting with the 2008 NASCAR season. “We’re proud that Coors Light, the World’s Most Refreshing Beer, is now the official beer of NASCAR – refreshing race fans every weekend from the start of the season to the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup,” said Andy England, Chief Marketing Officer, Coors Brewing Company. “This partnership allows us to deliver exciting and relevant programs to our distributors and retailers – all centered around the number-one spectator sport in the country.” The sponsorship agreement gives Coors Light exclusive rights to NASCAR logos in advertising, packaging and promotions, as well as the right to brand the Pole Award. In addition, Coors Light will build distributor and consumer promotions giving fans exclusive access to one-of-a-kind NASCAR experiences.(Business Wire)(9-25-2007)
- Franchitti to run ARCA at Talladega, heading to Cup? The move of reigning IRL champion Dario Franchitti to the Nextel Cup Series with Chip Ganassi Racing is expected to begin in two weeks at the ARCA race at Talladega Superspeedway. Ganassi is using the same plan he implemented a year ago when he broke former Formula One star Juan Pablo Montoya into NASCAR's premier series at the Alabama track. "We're trying to get him in [the ARCA race]," Ganassi said before Sunday's race at Dover International Speedway. "We have a few little hurdles left to get done before we can announce something. We're feverishly working at it, and we're confident that we're going to be able to put something together with him. Much like with Juan last year, if and when we get to that point, it's going to be a work in progress and you're going to have to constantly adjust and readjust." Franchitti is expected to move into the #40 Dodge driven by David Stremme, whose option for next season was not picked up when Ganassi couldn't get a commitment from sponsor Coors Light. Ganassi said that Franchitti "is a candidate for our team next year." Ganassi said Franchitti is not bringing a sponsor amidst rumors that Canadian Club was following him from the IRL.
He added that Franchitti has no qualms about driving a 36-race schedule. "He definitely wants to do it," he said. "I don't think there's a question. Some people that [schedule], it would intimidate. Some people it doesn't." Details of Franchitti's deal could come within the next week. He will continue the flow of open wheel drivers -- Montoya, Jacques Villenueve and possibly Sam Hornish Jr. -- to NASCAR. "This is where the action is right now," Ganassi said.(ESPN.com)(9-23-2007)
- Franchitti to test ARCA car at 'Dega: There still hasn't been an official announcement about NASCAR but Dario Franchitti will be testing one of Chip Ganassi's stock cars at Talladega later this month in preparation for the ARCA race on Oct. 5. "That's the plan," said Ganassi on Sunday night. "There's an open test on Sept. 27th so we'll run that and then come back for the race." Ganassi didn't elaborate on Franchitti's future but the 2007 Indy 500 and IRL champion is expected to be named as the full-time Cup driver of Ganassi's No. 40 car later this week. Running the high-banked superspeedway in Alabama would give Franchitti a taste of what to expect next February at Daytona. It's believed the 34-year-old Scotsman, whose open-wheel career in the United States began in 1997 in CART, has signed a five-year contract to run in NASCAR's premier series. And that goes against Franchitti's style of signing only one-year contracts.(SPEEDtv.com)(9-17-2007)
- Stremme to feature Halo 3 scheme at Dover: Target, Microsoft and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) announced that the # 40 Dodge will feature an exclusive "Halo 3"-themed paint scheme during the Doodge Dealers 400 Nextel Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 23. As fans throughout the world line up for the blockbuster Xbox 360 title, CGRFS driver David Stremme will showcase a distinctly designed paint scheme in advance of the game's much anticipated release on Tuesday, September 25. In addition to the special paint scheme in the Nextel Cup race on Sunday, Target and Microsoft are giving select drivers the chance to play "Halo 3", one of the most anticipated video games of all time, before it releases to the public. "Halo 3," the final chapter in the groundbreaking "Halo" trilogy, is set to shatter day-one entertainment sales records when it is released worldwide beginning Tuesday, Sept. 25.(CGRFS PR), see an image of what the scheme is supposed to look like on my #40 Team Schemes page.(9-14-2007)
- Energizer on Board the #40 again: The #40 Dodge of David Stremme will sport the Energizer e2 Lithium paint scheme for a third time this season at New Hampshire. Stremme drove the scheme previously at the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway (finished 13th) and last weekend at Richmond (finished 19th). The dynamic silver and blue paint scheme will feature Energizer e2 Lithium, the World's Longest Lasting Battery in High Tech Devices, alongside the famous Energizer Bunny.(CGRFS), see an image of the car on my #40 Team Schemes page.(9-13-2007)
- More on Franchitti to Ganassi..sponsor: Chip Ganassi has pulled off another stunning move as the team owner appears to have lured Indianapolis 500 champion Dario Franchitti to the Nextel Cup Series. Franchitti has an offer for a five-year deal. Franchitti would not confirm the move and neither would Ganassi, but sources close to the two sides have indicated Canadian Club is ready to replace Coors Light as the sponsor for Ganassi's #40 Dodge. David Stremme currently drives that car in Nextel Cup, but will leave the team at the end of this season. Once the details are finalized and the contract is signed, Franchitti is expected to compete in some lower division stock car races, such as ARCA and the Busch series as he prepares to be a Nextel Cup rookie in 2008. The decision appears to have earned the blessing of Franchitti's wife, actress Ashley Judd. The couple lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee.(Yahoo Sports/Sports Ticker)(9-10-2007)
- Franchitti to Ganassi? Stremme out? UPDATE2: it was mentioned on SPEED's NASCAR Live that IRL driver Dario Franchitti could end up at Ganassi Racing in 2008, didn't say which team or car.
UPDATE: Chip Ganassi, reached by phone Friday, confirmed that his Nextel Cup organization did not pick up the option on David Stremme's contract to drive the #40 Dodge in 2008. Stremme is free to explore other options, but the door is still open for him to return to Ganassi. "First of all, we had an option on Stremme and I have no sponsor," Ganassi said. "When they say Coors isn't coming back -- would you sign Stremme without a sponsor? That's all I told him. I can't sign you here without a sponsor. Is he free to look elsewhere? Yes. I hope he stays with us. I hope we find something and he stays right here." Ganassi chose not to comment on speculation that open-wheel star Dario Franchitti would replace Stremme. Sources close to the team say a deal is in the works to bring Franchitti, winner of the 2007 Indianapolis 500, to NASCAR. Ganassi, though, said he's still actively seeking sponsorship for Stremme. "I was talking about another deal [for] him not an hour ago," Ganassi said.(ESPN.com)(9-7-2007)
UPDATE 2: A source close to the negotiations said Dario Franchitti will sign with Chip Ganassi Racing to drive the #40 Dodge beginning in 2008. David Stremme, the current driver of the #40, has already been told he will not have the ride next year. The source, who asked to not be identified because details of the agreement have not yet been finalized, said Ganassi and Franchitti decided to make the announcement after the end of the IndyCar Series schedule, which ends with Sunday's PEAK Antifreeze 300 at Chicagoland Speedway. He will join Juan Pablo Montoya, another former open-wheel star, a heralded rookie with Ganassi's NASCAR Nextel Cup team this season. Franchitti and Montoya tied for the CART - now champ Car - series points lead in 1999, with the Colombian driver winning the title on a tiebreaker - four more wins. Franchitti, who currently drives for Andretti Green Racing, goes into Sunday's race with a three-point lead over Ganassi driver Scott Dixon in the battle for the series title. "Right now, all I want to concentrate on is winning this championship and then winning the (Sports Car) championship next week in Utah," Ganassi said Saturday. "All this other stuff can wait until after that." Franchitti also declined to talk about the future, saying, "I'm trying to win a championship here, and that's all I want to talk about." The Scotsman works on one-year contracts, so he would become a free agent on Dec. 1.
It is expected that Franchitti, who has yet to drive a stock car of any kind, will get a quick course in the sport from Ganassi, who plans, according to the source, to enter him in a series of ARCA and NASCAR Busch Series races to get him up to speed.(Associated Press)(9-9-2007)
- #40 Crew Chief fined UPDATE: Steve Lane, crew chief for the #40 Dodge driven by David Stremme, has been fined $2,500 because the team’s scorer, Joel Charpentier, left the scoring area prior to the completion of this past Sunday’s event at California Speedway. Lane was in violation of Sections 12-4A and 9-4A (crew chief assumes responsibility for actions of team members).(NASCAR PR)(9-6-2007)
UPDATE: When Charpentier heard that the #15 jackman, T.J. Ford was injured [ended up being ok] when the #40 car clipped him, and that they did not have a backup, he found someone to relieve him on the scoring stand, and came down to #15 pits to offer his services [his Dad Dave is the crew chief]. With the approval of the #40 Car Crew Chief and Ganassi's Team Manager Tony Glover, Charpentier stepped in and relieved Ford. It was only when he returned to the scoring stand to retrieve his bag and radio, that he found out that NASCAR was not happy with him leaving the scoring stand, because even though he found a replacement before leaving, he failed to inform NASCAR before leaving. So it was not just an arbitrary desertion of his post.(9-7-2007)
- Ganassi extends with Energizer, special schemes on #40 in 2007: Chip Ganassi Racing Teams, Inc. (CGR), and Energizer Holdings, Inc. announced a multi-year extension to their long-lasting relationship that dates back over a decade. Energizer will continue to showcase its brand as a major associate sponsor on the #41 Target Dodge driven by Reed Sorenson in the Nextel Cup Series and both Target Chip Ganassi Racing (TCGR) entries in the IndyCar Series driven by current championship contender (second place) and past champion Scott Dixon and 2005 Indianapolis 500 winner and series champion Dan Wheldon beginning with the start of the 2008 racing season. "We're thrilled to continue our long-lasting partnership with Target Chip Ganassi Racing." said Jeff Ziminski, Chief Marketing Officer, Energizer Battery. "Both Energizer and TCGR share an ongoing commitment to quality and innovation. It's an honor to extend our pursuit of excellence with an outstanding organization like TCGR." In addition to the sponsorship extension, the #40 Dodge driven by David Stremme in the Nextel Cup Series will feature a special Energizer paint scheme in the upcoming events at Richmond International, New Hampshire and Kansas. The paint scheme, dynamic silver and blue, will highlight not only the Energizer e2 Lithium brand, the World's Longest Lasting Battery in High Tech Devices, but a successful, 12-year partnership between CGR and Energizer that keeps going and going, the famous Energizer Bunny.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR), see images of the scheme on my #40 Team Scheme page.(9-6-2007)
- Coors not returning to Ganassi in 2008: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) and Coors Brewing Company announced that Coors Light will not return as a primary sponsor on the team's #40 Dodge in 2008. "After much evaluation on both of our parts, we agreed that having Coors Light back as a sponsor on the #40 Dodge was not going to meet the marketing objectives of either organization," said Chip Ganassi Racing Teams' President Steve Lauletta. "Coors has been a tremendous partner over the last 14 years and we wish them nothing but the best. We continue to weigh our sponsorship opportunities for the #40 and an announcement on that will be forthcoming. CGRFS has always prided itself on not only our long-term partnerships but also on our ability to attract new sponsors to the sport - just as we did earlier this year with Wrigley and Memorex."
"We believe that NASCAR is a valuable property that allows us to reach our target audience," said Bryce McTavish, vice president of sponsorship and channel marketing for Coors Brewing Company. "From a marketing perspective, one of the sport's greatest assets is the variety of ways in which companies can be involved and we are evaluating a number of
them. We enjoyed a long and successful relationship with Chip and Felix and would like to thank them for their efforts on our behalf throughout the years. We will always appreciate their contribution to our business and our success."
The announcement will end a string of 14 years that Coors Light has been the primary sponsor or partial primary of the #40 car (seven with CGRFS). The relationship began in 1994 when Sabates' Team SABCO and the Coors Brewing Company started their first partnership as Coors Light became the primary sponsor of the #40 with Bobby Hamilton behind the
wheel.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)
AND: hearing Coor's Light will end up at DEI, not sure which team.(9-5-2007)
- Target scheme for Stremme at Calif: As Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) continues to celebrate its long heritage with Target Racing, which has been with the team for 18 years making it one of the longest racing relationships in history, David Stremme and the #40 team will again be sporting the white and red Target paint scheme
in this weekend's Sharp Aquos 500 at California Speedway.(CGRFS PR), see an image of the scheme on my #40 Team Schemes page.(8-29-2007)
- Expanded Role for Stremme's Spotter: Mike Calinoff, who has been handling the day-to-day business chores for Nextel Cup and Busch Series driver, David Stremme, has been named V.P. of Business Development for the sophomore driver. His expanded role includes the procurement of new business ventures, endorsement and appearance programs and personal sponsorships. (David Stremme Racing, Inc.PR)(8-24-2007)
- Tums Scheme for Stremme at Michigan: David Stremme will take to the track this weekend at Michigan in an all Tums fashion. The #40 Tums Dodge will feature the blue Tums signature logo across the hood and both rear quarter panels. The rear of the Charger will feature Tums tablets. The last run for the #40, outfitted in the Tums logo, was in July at the Chicagoland Speedway.(CGFSR PR), see an image of the car on my #40 Team Paint schemes page.(8-15-2007)
- Stremme to DEI? DENIED: Hearing #40-David Stremme is one of the candidates for the #8 seat at DEI. In the midst of all the buzz about who will take the #8 ride at Dale Earnhardt, Inc., since the merger with Ginn Racing, David Stremme has emerged as one of the frontrunners.(7-31-2007)
UPDATE: on Wednesday's NASCAR Now [ESPN2] Angelique Chengelis reported that DEI's Max Siegel said Stremme was not a candidate [no way] and Stremme's agent, Jeff Dickerson said Stremme is signed with Ganassi Racing thru 2008.(8-9-2007)
- Target back on the #40 car at Pocono: As Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) continues to celebrate its long heritage with Target Racing, which has been with the team for 18 years making it one of the longest racing relationships in history, David Stremme and the #40 team will again be sporting the white and red Target paint scheme in this weekend's Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway.(CGRFS PR), see an image of the scheme on my #40 Team Schemes page.(8-1-2007)
- Two Target cars at Indy: Celebrating an 18-year partnership and rich racing history together that includes a win (2000, Montoya-IRL) and a pole (2004, Mears-NNCS) at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates will be running two Target Dodges in the Brickyard 400. Reed Sorenson and the #41 crew will be sporting their usual paint scheme, while David Stremme and the #40 team will run the exact opposite color scheme.(CGRFS PR), see my #40 Team Schemes page for the Target scheme.(7-25-2007)
- Lauletta Joins Chip Ganassi Racing as President: Chip Ganassi Racing Teams, Inc. announced that Steve "Jake" Lauletta has been named president of the organization. Lauletta will oversee all aspects of the Chip Ganassi Racing’s business and marketing operations including both its Concord and Indianapolis facilities. Lauletta was formerly the president of Radiate Sports, the sports marketing division of Omnicom’s The Radiate Group. Prior to Radiate, Lauletta enjoyed a successful 11-year career at Miller Brewing Company. He served in a variety of marketing leadership positions with Miller, most recently as director of sports and event marketing.(Chip Ganassi Racing PR)(7-20-2007)
