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FastCar Newsdesk for New Hampshire Motor Speedway, week of 6/25/09

A partnership with Nationwide Series Toyota team Braun Racing begins this weekend (with Elliott Sadler in the No. 10) for Richard Petty Motorsports and rumors are rampant about the future manufacturer of that team. Reports surfaced this week that RPM is considering putting marquee driver Kasey Kahne in a No. 9 Sprint Cup Series Toyota in the next month and a half, but those sources say that change likely will not happen midseason.

FastCar Newsdesk for Las Vegas Motor Speedway, for week of 2/26/09
A sagging economy and a trip to Vegas keep money fresh in the minds of many on the NASCAR circuit. A flurry of teams around the Sprint Cup garage lack full sponsorship for the 2009 season, including Richard Petty Motorsports. Driver Reed Sorenson and the famed No. 43 team have sponsorship for the majority of races this year and have come closer to having a sponsor in each race, with the addition of Super 8 Motels as a primary sponsor for an undisclosed schedule of races this season. Super 8 may also sponsor the No. 44 of A.J. Allmendinger in some races; that team is not scheduled to run each race, unless sponsorship arises. Harrah’s colors will be on that entry this week in Las Vegas.

FastCar Newsdesk for NASCAR Media Tour 2009, 1/23/09
Now in its third decade, few are surprised by the sheer volume of announcements made public during the circus that is the NASCAR Media Tour. A pool of reporters makes the rounds to teams’ race shops and other NASCAR points of interest in the Charlotte area during this time of January every year. Most teams seize this moment to activate their 2009 brands, by debuting paint schemes, announcing final driver lineups and sponsorship additions, and to clear up any other unknowns that existed during the offseason. Given the current state of sponsorship and economic flux, some of this week’s announcements left more questions than answers.

Another loooong year of stock car racing is behind us. Jr. was right. Unlike the NFL, this sport does not leave you wishing for more. It leaves you dragged out and wanting a long siesta during the winter……

Ganassi and DEI merger official

Though technically a partnership and not a merger, Ganassi and Dale Earnhardt Incorporated officials have announced that their teams will field cars together for the 2009 season.

The new entity will be called Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and will field the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevy with Martin Truex Jr., the No. 8 with Aric Almirola, the No. 42 and driver Juan Pablo Montoya, and the No. 41 Chevy with Target and a driver to be named. This means that the Nos. 15 and 01 teams will no longer exist, leaving Reagan Smith out of a ride. Smith, along with A.J. Allmendinger and Scott Riggs are candidates for the No. 41.