When the DEI takeover merger of Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Ginn Racing happened at the end of July, Regan Smith had just secured a Cup ride for the remainder of the season in a Ginn Chevrolet.
Abruptly, those plans were halted and Smith was essentially taken out of a job he hadn't even gotten a chance at yet. Granted somewhere around 70 Ginn Racing employees did lose their jobs in the process, it still had to be a blow to the driver who had already lost his Busch ride despite his best start ever in the series.
Thursday, though, came word of good news for the New York-born driver. DEI and Smith have a verbal agreement for a ride in the No. 01 car for 2008.
Regan Smith was finalizing a deal Thursday to drive the No. 01 for Dale Earnhardt Inc. next season.
Smith has verbally agreed to a one-year contract that includes a team option for two more seasons. The deal is expected to be announced next weekend at Richmond International Raceway, where DEI is planning to announce its entire 2008 lineup.
A one-year deal with a second-year option is better than nothing, right?
Hopefully DEI can give Smith equipment that he has a fighting shot with, and not the same stuff that Paul Menard currently pilots.
Sterling Marlin won't be back in the drivers seat for Morgan-McClure Motorsports, despite a report yesterday that he might find a ride in a second car from the team, XM radio reported.
The FanHouse wasn't exactly believing the idea behind Marlin moving in as a teammate with Ward Burton yesterday, either.
XM Radio got a hold of McClure Thursday.
Morgan McClure team owner Larry McClure told Claire B. Lang on XM Satellite Radio that the rumor is absolutely not true.
McClure: "I know nothing about it. I have talked to no one. I have not talked to Sterling in a year and I have not talked to any of his people."
CBL: By no stretch of the imagination would anyone think that Sterling Marlin is going to go work for you.
McClure: "No mam."
Interestingly enough, the Cup Scene Daily no longer has any mention of the article up on the site. (HT: Jayski)
Ken Schrader Makes One-Race Cup Return w/ BAM Racing
I'd imagine when Ken Schrader decided to allow Bill Elliott to fill his seat in the No. 21 due to champion's provisionals in May, he didn't expect the end of July to roll around until he found a new ride.
Late Tuesday a team source at Morgan-McClure Racing which currently fields the no. 4 Chevy with veteran Ward Burton said that officials there are in discussions with Marlin for a possible second team. Marlin scored six of his ten career wins at Morgan-McClure while driving the No. 4 from 1994-1997.
A storybook ending to a rough road for Marlin?
Well, kinda.
Morgan-McClure, home of Burton's No. 4 State Water Heaters ride, isn't exactly the same powerhouse that it was in the mid-90's when Marlin drove the Kodak car to victory lane for two consecutive Daytona 500 wins.
It would, however, at least be a ride for the seasoned veteran who has ten career wins to his credit.
But news last week indicated that McClure wasn't in the best financial shape, either.
Update: Official Release Almirola grateful to Gibbs, Nemechek released ...
A month ago, Aric Almirola denied wanting to leave Joe Gibbs Racing, despite being unhappy about the team giving his first win to his teammate, Denny Hamlin, at Infineon:
"I'm under contract at JGR. I have a long history with them. I've been there since I was 18 years old. I started racing late models with them, and they've become like family to me. I see our relationship growing."
I guess he meant growing apart.
No official announcement has been made, but according to Dave Moody, Aric Almirola has asked to be release from his contract with JGR and David Caraviello confirms the move to Ginn.
I understand that some fans, including the Fanhouse's own Geoffrey Miller, were quite passionate about Almirola getting robbed of his first win by his own team and called on him to leave the team immediately. But really? Almirola knew he was the fill-in driver for that race. Yeah Hamlin was late, but it was his car and his race to run. Everyone was on the same page going in.
As Almirola himself said, he has a long history with Gibbs. I certainly wish him the best whatever decision he should make for his future, but I sure hope he considered more than just one bad day at the office before making a career-move like this one.
Almirola's plan is to head to Ginn Racing to split the remainder of the 2007 season in the #01 with Mark Martin, with Regan Smith moving over to the #14 taking over driving duties for Sterling Marlin. The plan presumably eliminates the idea of a full-blown Ginn / DEI merger, but I imagine the #13 is still in play.
So Ginn Racing didn't close both the #13 and #14 Nextel Cup teams this week, just their Busch team, which amounted to roughly 30 people losing their jobs, save the spotter who was promoted to Cup. But, even though they haven't closed the books, Bobby Ginn seems to have made both team's numbers available on the open owner market, with the likelihood of selling the #13 to the highest bidder.
And what owner might be willing to buy its way into the top 35? Teresa Earnhardt is the leading runner. Paul Menard isn't going to be able to climb his way into the top 35 himself if he can't qualify for a race. DEI's got the cash to compensate. You put it together.
Speaking of DEI's cash ... Budweiser is ready move on next year, but not with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Budweiser is reportedly setting their sites on Kasey Kahne now. Score Ray Evernham!
That leaves Junior wide open to Do the Dew, which I think means he would also give up his personal appearances contract with Bud, which is good considering he'll need time for Sony and Adidas now. Wow. Junior really scored on the upgrade of free goods, huh? Also ... look for Junior to give the #14 team's displaced spotter, his buddy T.J. Majors, a shot on the #? Mountain Dew Chevrolet next season. Reminder: Free the #8!
What that means for Kellogg's I have no idea, but about the Kellogg's driver ...
A source tells me that Kyle Busch has already decided on Richard Childress Racing and is expected to take a lot of his crew with him. By a lot, I take it to mean his crew chief, Alan Gustafson (making room for Tony Eury Jr.), and whoever else wants to come along. Maybe the sponsor will follow, too.
Apparently, Bobby Ginn's attempt to attract sponsorship for Joe Nemechek and Sterling Marlin didn't produce the results he was looking for. A few days ago, the team announced several layoffs in the shop citing too fast of growth and a need to re-evaluate. They did not confirm or deny any additional forthcoming layoffs.
This afternoon, a source is telling me that tomorrow Ginn Racing will completely shut down the #13 and #14 teams, both of which are in the top 35 in owner points. This info has not been confirmed with team officials.
Damn. I thought funding wasn't supposed to be an issue with this team 'cause Ginn has all this money?
If true, what a shame for both drivers. Of the two of them I feel the worse for Nemechek because he already got kicked off the priority team and now stands to lose his job on this one. Nothing against Mark Martin and Regan Smith, I get what Ginn was trying to do and it's been successful. Good for them. But Nemechek got the shaft in the deal. And now he stands to get it again.
If this comes to fruition, I hope the other owners look out for Nemechek and Marlin. It's really going to suck if they aren't able to continue running for points this season. Such is the life of a veteran in NASCAR these days, huh?
Update 07.09.07 - I don't have a full update, but a source has confirmed today that TJ Majors, spotter for the #14 team has been let go. Majors is a good friend of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and also spots for the #88 NAVY Busch team. Hmmm. Can't very well have a driver on the track without a spotter.
Update #2 - From the sounds of this press release, doesn't look like anything has changed with the #14 team.
Not only is the 23-year-old driver making making his Nextel Cup debut at one of the most unpredictable tracks on the NASCAR circuit, but he also taking over driving duties for a legend--one that has put Smith's owner, Ginn Racing, on the top of the points standings.
"No question, I have some really big shoes to fill. But the only pressure I feel is what I have put on myself. Everyone understands the situation and there has been no outside pressure from the ownership, sponsors or the guys. I am only excited and pumped because I'm with a great race team and getting into a great race car."
He's grateful for the opportunity:
"Mark has been a great role model. He has taught me how to carry myself as a driver and how to respect the equipment, the team and the competition. On the track there have been some things I have struggled with in the past and really didn't have anyone to go to for advice. But now I have Mark and there's nobody better. There have been times I was like a duck out of water and he pointed me in the right direction. I feel very fortunate to be in this position."
He's realistic about his debut at Bristol:
"I think everyone would agree that Bristol is not the easiest track. It's a tough place when you're having a good day. The mindset from our end is not to expect a win or a top-10 finish. I want to finish the race, be on the lead lap and have the car in one piece. That's a tall order for Bristol, but with some luck, I think we can deliver that result.
So far, a change of pace and scenery looks good on Mark Martin.
Yeah, I know ... NASCAR *robbed* him of his first Daytona 500 win last week ... but with a second place finish there and a top 5 finish in California, Martin has taken the lead in the Nextel Cup standings for the first time in four years.
Too bad he's only scheduled to run 22 races for his new team. Or was. Since his (almost) success at Daytona last week, he has added the Pepsi 400 to his calendar, too.
Martin insists his early success won't change his mind about running a full season ... but if he continues at this rate, maybe Ginn Racing can twist his arm?
After all, this is their first taste of the lead, too. And Martin's teammate and former driver of his #01 Army Chevrolet Joe Nemechek currently holds the 7th spot in the standings. Can't Regan Smith split the season with him instead?
I'm betting a potential run at the championship could make a difference for Martin. After 19 years at Roush, to win with Ginn would be a heartbreak to be sure ... but could anyone blame him for trying?
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Sterling Marlin 
The guy over at 
Update: 
So Ginn Racing didn't 
Apparently, Bobby Ginn's 
So far, a change of pace and scenery looks good on Mark Martin.
