DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Ginn Racing is not broke. Ginn Racing will be racing all three Cup teams at Chicago Speedway next weekend. Ginn Racing is not selling off the Nos. 13 or 14 for points to other teams. However, Ginn Racing did let go of seven people earlier in the week, is expected to discontinue a full-time effort in the Busch Series after Daytona and is currently revisiting preseason talks of a merger with Dale Earnhardt Inc.Bottom line: Ginn expanded too quickly and it was time to cut the fat. At least Ginn could afford to do that.
Ginn GM Jay Frye has been forthcoming with the media. When the season started he expected to have three fully-funded race teams. That didn't happen. Panasonic didn't come through. Ginn Resorts was the sponsor of record on both the Nos. 13 and 14.Even without outside funding, Sterling Marlin and crew chief Slugger Labbe accomplished what no other team outside the top 35 in 2006 owner points could do — qualify for the first five races. Still, Frye humbly admits he'd be better off with two strong teams rather than three diluted squads.
A Ginn-DEI marriage provides positives for both organizations. Ginn can benefit from DEI sponsor and marketing relations. DEI acquires the long-needed space it's desired along with owner points for Paul Menard from the No. 13. With the newly formed DEI/RCR engine development program, there would be eight cars to pull data from instead of six. RCR is currently putting the pieces together for a fourth team as well. Part of Hendrick Motorsports success stems from the amount of feedback it receives from providing engines for nine teams. DEI/RCR hopes to make similar gains. At the least, DEI could pick up one team from Ginn and continue a satellite partnership in similar fashion to Hendrick and Haas.
NASCAR's top-35 rule protects its strongest organizations. That hasn't been a problem for Ginn — yet. The Car of Tomorrow, that was billed as the great equalizer, has widened the gap between the three tiers of Nextel Cup. Perhaps this was the simple solution to weed out the weaker teams if NASCAR moves to franchising in 2009.
Denver-based Furniture Row Racing, which rents space from Ginn as an East Coast satellite, has been rumored to be running Marlin on a limited schedule next season but would like to use the affable Kenny Wallace to garner new sponsorship for the 78 and move Furniture Row to a second team. Ginn has denied Marlin's owner points would be part of that package.
However, there was pre-season talk of a DEI/Ginn merger, and that story has heated up again. Keep in mind the "four" factor. If NASCAR contracts to 44 franchised teams and 11 owners - DEI/Ginn - on the radar screen. Could be expedited quicker by Ginn merger.
Lee sounds a little confused. She says Ginn is not selling off numbers for owner points. Then she says in a merger with DEI, that company would acquire the owner points from the 13 from Ginn for the 15.
Oh well, it wouldn't be the first time the Sporting News/Fox writer got it wrong. She better hope I don't win the NGS contest. I can write about NASCAR better than her. And that would have to suck for her. 'Cause as all of y'all know, I ain't worth a damn.
14Falcons
Is this a merger of equals or DEI's way of remaining relevant ? As with the loss of Jr they may well see their fortunes start to subside. For Ginn it gives 'em more recognition overall as there'd been talk that they were having some financial problems with regard to sponsors.
Hopefully it'll be a successful partnership for both parties.
From now on I'll be doing a lot more posts from this site. But pieces will still be up for everyone's perusal on the other sites of tophatal and rampantfanatic. On both of those sites I've left a little something for everyone to enjoy.
On this site my most recent post is titled The Strive For Five Could It Have Been Anymore Difficult ? As it deals with Federer's epic win against Nadal in the men's singles finals at Wimbledon.
If you're up to it check it out and let me know what you think as to the subject matter. Chimin' out !
I do not think this merger will happen. DEI already has three cars. I think they will buy the 13 from Ginn and that will be it. That makes them a four car team and still leaves Ginn with two teams. Given Haas runs Hendrick power and has two teams, at a quick glance, a Ginn - Haas merger makes more sense.
As I have said repeatedly, the death of DEI has been exagerated (I am full of Mark Twain today for some reason). We are potentially looking at a Truex era at DEI. If they get Busch or Kahne they will have an excellent pair of drivers.
Ginn is having financial problems with regard to sponsors. Panasonic backed out of sponsoring Sterling for 12 races, leaving 2/3rds of his season unsponsored to go with 2/3rds of Nemecheks season being unsponsored. Panasonic screwed the pooch. Ginn Clubs can sponsor a car for 1/3rd of a season maybe even 1/2. But it can't handle 2/3rds for 2 cars.
I'm serial, Spencer is always hanging out in la la land.
I'm glad to see you looked at the link and read her full article. That is good to know and appreciated. It helps keep my style legit.
I think Penske/Waltrip could happen. I have seen that elsewhere.
I haven't heard anything about Evernham/Petty. Will Dodge even be around?
Woods needs to court Yates or they will soon be history. With Wood having medical issues and Schrader kicked to the curb, they don't even have a driver for next year.
14Falcons
Once again it comes down to the inherent art of raising money and having the faith of your sponsors. This is a sport that's not done in half measures. You either line up your ducks all in a row. Or they'll just get shot down. And that's what's happening with Ginn Racing.
Come on over and see what I've been up to with regard to this particular site as and when you're ready.
I being a know it all as TEZ has said believe that Ginn Racing has very deep pockets and is looking at alternatives to curtail his cash expenditures out of his own pocket. He is quite a savy business person but the most savy will be broke if he continues to race cars with out a sponsor. He knows this.
I would imagine he is looking at maybe a deal with DEI on something but I do not think this is his only or best option. Trimming the fat is a gutsy move but neccessary evil. Shows a man with guts to do what is needed to build an operation.
As with any business, it must make a profit. If not close it. Ginn is looking for ways to make the racing profitable be it mergers or getting the best drivers and sponsors.
I look for Ginn to be around for a long time once he gets the right set up for his operation.
photogr
Come on over and check out what I've been working on with justnotherfan site. It's under the header Tellin It Like it Is With The Real Truth. There you'll fing some nice little pieces to get your juices flowin'. The Strive For Five Could It Hve Anymore Difficult ? Shake 'dat As* Watch Yourself Show Me What You're Workin' With as well as Liar , Liar , Pants On Fire Whatever You've Got To Say Don't Mean S*it ! Let me know what you think as to the subject matter in each instance ?
justanotherfan
14Falcons
You too are cordially invited to visit the site also and pass any comments you deem fit. I'll look forward ti reading them as and when you're ready.
"But all this must be suffered by those who profess the stern order of chivalry" Most Interesting Blog, June 16, 2008 and six other occasions. Lisa awarded him Best "breaking news" blogger March 31, 2008. Blog of The Day, Christmas Day, 2007. edhardiman wrote, "Falco's tribute to Rocket Richard reminds us all the stars of today stand on the shoulders of giants..." October 23, 2007. Three Golden Swirrly p00p Awards (Hockey, NASCAR and Use of Graphics), FlyingPig, July 18, 2007. 2007 Memorial Day Weekend Trifecta sponsored by williamwilman . Featured on WFORacingFans April, 2007. "Stylin'" award, Dusty, February 07. "One of ten new bloggers to watch" Dudski, January 2007.
