DEI Expanding To Four Teams, Keeping Name After Ginn Merger

Siegel (l) To Oversee Expanded DEI Race Team

Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) and Ginn Racing have finalized their merger agreement, creating a four-car Nextel Cup operation effective immediately, according to Newton & Smith of ESPN.com.  Drivers of the four teams for the remainder of the season will be Dale Earnhardt Jr., Martin Truex Jr., Paul Menard and Mark Martin.  Ginn Racing Owner Bobby Ginn “will remain as a financial partner,” while minority Owner Jay Frye will remain “in some capacity with the day-to-day operations.”  DEI President of Global Operations Max Siegel will oversee the operation, which will be known as DEI. Under the merger, DEI acquires all of Ginn's assets, including its HQs in Mooresville, NC.  Ginn had 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” (ESPN.com, 7/24).  A source said that Ginn will be listed as the owner of DEI's Nos. 1 and 15 cars  (AP, 7/24).  Driver Dale Jarrett said NASCAR, which caps ownership at four cars, “has pretty much told you if you’re going to compete, you need four teams” (USA TODAY, 7/25).