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Four-car team to run under DEI banner
By David Newton
ESPN.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- Dale Earnhardt Inc. isn't ready to fold up its Nextel Cup program and go away with the departure of its signature driver.
DEI officials on Wednesday said that it has merged with Ginn Racing and will immediately become a four-car team for Sunday's race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The move came two months after Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced he was leaving after this season to replace Kyle Busch at Hendrick Motorsports.
For the remainder of this season Earnhardt (8), Martin Truex Jr. (1), Paul Menard (15) and Mark Martin (01) will run under the DEI banner. All four are locked into Sunday's race with Menard picking up the owner's points held by Ginn's No. 14 car that was 29th.
Max Siegel, the president of global operations at DEI, said the move had nothing to do with owner's points and everything to do with the long-term future of the company that will move into Ginn's Mooresville, N.C., shop by the end of the season.
The acquisition of Ginn's shop and surrounding property was a major part of the deal because DEI has no room to expand at its current shop in Mooresville.
"This merger is great for both companies," Siegel said. "Our stated goals included an expansion to four cars as quickly as possible and, in order to do that, we had to acquire more shop space.
"This relationship with Bobby Ginn and his company allows us to accomplish both, which makes this a perfect transaction," Siegel said.
Ginn, who took over majority ownership of what was then MB2 Motorsports late last season, will remain with DEI as a financial partner and will be listed as the owner of the 01 and 15 cars the remainder of the season.
Minority owner Jay Frye will remain in some capacity with the day-to-day operations.
"When I purchased Ginn Racing last year it was done with a goal of fielding a multi-car effort capable of winning races and championships," Ginn said. "We came very close to winning the season's biggest race [Daytona 500] earlier this year with Mark and today we feel as if we have done one better by partnering with a company with the legacy of Dale Earnhardt Inc.
"Our performance has been strong, as evidenced by our top-10 position in owner's points with the 01 car, but we know that having the opportunity to be part of a four-car effort provides significant benefits," he said.
Ginn has been looking for financial relief the past month without sponsor funding for the No. 13 car that was driven by Joe Nemechek and No. 14 driven by Sterling Marlin.
Both drivers were given their release last week, with rookie Regan Smith moving into Marlin's car for the remainder of the year before the merger. Smith will compete in the Truck Series race at Indianapolis this weekend and his future will be announced shortly.
Points on the No. 13, which was 34th in owner's points, have been eliminated.
Aric Almirola, who recently moved from Joe Gibbs Racing to Ginn, is expected to split the rest of the season in the No. 01 with Martin, who has been running a part-time schedule.
Siegel said Martin is committed to running at least 22 races for DEI next season and working long-term with the developmental driver program as he was at Ginn.
Ginn Racing will use engines built by Hendrick Motorsports this weekend and then begin using engines built by DEI and Richard Childress Racing's new program the rest of the year.
John Story, the vice president of motorsports operations for DEI, will oversee the merger. DEI's current management team will remain intact for all day-to-day activities.
"The combined resources of the companies are tremendous," Story said. "Ginn Racing just completed the installation of a seven-post rig. With our recently formed R&D team, as well as the combined efforts of two strong engineering programs, we will be able to accelerate our learning curve.
"Both companies have many smart and talented people. All of our teams will undoubtedly become stronger," he said.
Who steps into Earnhardt's car remains to be decided. DEI is in contention with Joe Gibbs Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, Evernham Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing for Busch.
But the merger with Ginn has been Siegel's top priority for months.
"There are three huge benefits to us -- the real estate, Mark Martin and an ability to work with Bobby Ginn on strategic development projects that Teresa has been planning for years," said Siegel, referring to DEI owner Teresa Earnhardt. "The value of additional square footage is easy to see, but the value that Mark will bring to our company is harder to measure and may be even more impactful.
"Teresa and Bobby have discussed some very high-level strategies concerning her development objectives and who would be better to partner with than Bobby? This is a win-win relationship in its truest form," Siegel said.
By David Newton
ESPN.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- Dale Earnhardt Inc. isn't ready to fold up its Nextel Cup program and go away with the departure of its signature driver.
DEI officials on Wednesday said that it has merged with Ginn Racing and will immediately become a four-car team for Sunday's race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The move came two months after Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced he was leaving after this season to replace Kyle Busch at Hendrick Motorsports.
For the remainder of this season Earnhardt (8), Martin Truex Jr. (1), Paul Menard (15) and Mark Martin (01) will run under the DEI banner. All four are locked into Sunday's race with Menard picking up the owner's points held by Ginn's No. 14 car that was 29th.
Max Siegel, the president of global operations at DEI, said the move had nothing to do with owner's points and everything to do with the long-term future of the company that will move into Ginn's Mooresville, N.C., shop by the end of the season.
The acquisition of Ginn's shop and surrounding property was a major part of the deal because DEI has no room to expand at its current shop in Mooresville.
"This merger is great for both companies," Siegel said. "Our stated goals included an expansion to four cars as quickly as possible and, in order to do that, we had to acquire more shop space.
"This relationship with Bobby Ginn and his company allows us to accomplish both, which makes this a perfect transaction," Siegel said.
Ginn, who took over majority ownership of what was then MB2 Motorsports late last season, will remain with DEI as a financial partner and will be listed as the owner of the 01 and 15 cars the remainder of the season.
Minority owner Jay Frye will remain in some capacity with the day-to-day operations.
"When I purchased Ginn Racing last year it was done with a goal of fielding a multi-car effort capable of winning races and championships," Ginn said. "We came very close to winning the season's biggest race [Daytona 500] earlier this year with Mark and today we feel as if we have done one better by partnering with a company with the legacy of Dale Earnhardt Inc.
"Our performance has been strong, as evidenced by our top-10 position in owner's points with the 01 car, but we know that having the opportunity to be part of a four-car effort provides significant benefits," he said.
Ginn has been looking for financial relief the past month without sponsor funding for the No. 13 car that was driven by Joe Nemechek and No. 14 driven by Sterling Marlin.
Both drivers were given their release last week, with rookie Regan Smith moving into Marlin's car for the remainder of the year before the merger. Smith will compete in the Truck Series race at Indianapolis this weekend and his future will be announced shortly.
Points on the No. 13, which was 34th in owner's points, have been eliminated.
Aric Almirola, who recently moved from Joe Gibbs Racing to Ginn, is expected to split the rest of the season in the No. 01 with Martin, who has been running a part-time schedule.
Siegel said Martin is committed to running at least 22 races for DEI next season and working long-term with the developmental driver program as he was at Ginn.
Ginn Racing will use engines built by Hendrick Motorsports this weekend and then begin using engines built by DEI and Richard Childress Racing's new program the rest of the year.
John Story, the vice president of motorsports operations for DEI, will oversee the merger. DEI's current management team will remain intact for all day-to-day activities.
"The combined resources of the companies are tremendous," Story said. "Ginn Racing just completed the installation of a seven-post rig. With our recently formed R&D team, as well as the combined efforts of two strong engineering programs, we will be able to accelerate our learning curve.
"Both companies have many smart and talented people. All of our teams will undoubtedly become stronger," he said.
Who steps into Earnhardt's car remains to be decided. DEI is in contention with Joe Gibbs Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, Evernham Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing for Busch.
But the merger with Ginn has been Siegel's top priority for months.
"There are three huge benefits to us -- the real estate, Mark Martin and an ability to work with Bobby Ginn on strategic development projects that Teresa has been planning for years," said Siegel, referring to DEI owner Teresa Earnhardt. "The value of additional square footage is easy to see, but the value that Mark will bring to our company is harder to measure and may be even more impactful.
"Teresa and Bobby have discussed some very high-level strategies concerning her development objectives and who would be better to partner with than Bobby? This is a win-win relationship in its truest form," Siegel said.
Now she wants to spend some dough??? 
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