Post by labontefanboy on Jun 17, 2014 10:52:50 GMT -5
Stremme to the 41, Coors to the 7 in RGM/Ganassi alliance
Chip Ganassi Racing and Robby Gordon Motorsports, two teams mired in first-year Toyota struggles, announced a technical partnership beginning with the 2008 season. In the relationship, Ganassi will provide chassis and car bodies to RGM with the entrance of the COT, while RGM will give all of its "COY" equipment to Ganassi for use in the Nationwide Series. In addition, Ganassi will downsize to a 2-car operation, with the 40 car being shut down. David Stremme will slide to the #41 Target Toyota as Reed Sorenson will leave for Braun-Edwards Racing in 2008, and Coors Light, which had a contract with Ganassi through 2009, will fund Gordon's #7 car for the 2008 season only in a restructured contract. "We all know that the change to Toyota has not been as successful as we hoped it would be," said Chip Ganassi. "But I think that this partnership is really the best-case scenario for all parties involved and will benefit everyone. We'll be working closely with Robby and his team on race weekends, and I know that it will come in handy with Robby's talent on the short tracks and in particular on the road courses." Gordon agreed, saying, "Everyone knows that I'm an independent person and want to do things myself. But I think my struggles this season and lack of funding have shown that that's not the right solution. I like this new deal because I can still run things somewhat independently but I have somebody right there that I can collaborate with when the time comes that I'll need to." Gordon does have a past history with Coors Light and CGR co-owner Felix Sabates, having run a #40 Coors Light Chevy back in 1997 for Sabates. (ESPN.com) (6/29/07)
Chip Ganassi Racing and Robby Gordon Motorsports, two teams mired in first-year Toyota struggles, announced a technical partnership beginning with the 2008 season. In the relationship, Ganassi will provide chassis and car bodies to RGM with the entrance of the COT, while RGM will give all of its "COY" equipment to Ganassi for use in the Nationwide Series. In addition, Ganassi will downsize to a 2-car operation, with the 40 car being shut down. David Stremme will slide to the #41 Target Toyota as Reed Sorenson will leave for Braun-Edwards Racing in 2008, and Coors Light, which had a contract with Ganassi through 2009, will fund Gordon's #7 car for the 2008 season only in a restructured contract. "We all know that the change to Toyota has not been as successful as we hoped it would be," said Chip Ganassi. "But I think that this partnership is really the best-case scenario for all parties involved and will benefit everyone. We'll be working closely with Robby and his team on race weekends, and I know that it will come in handy with Robby's talent on the short tracks and in particular on the road courses." Gordon agreed, saying, "Everyone knows that I'm an independent person and want to do things myself. But I think my struggles this season and lack of funding have shown that that's not the right solution. I like this new deal because I can still run things somewhat independently but I have somebody right there that I can collaborate with when the time comes that I'll need to." Gordon does have a past history with Coors Light and CGR co-owner Felix Sabates, having run a #40 Coors Light Chevy back in 1997 for Sabates. (ESPN.com) (6/29/07)
