[BiscuitMan]

Jayski's picked up a rumor from the Winston-Salem Journal today alluding to a possible Ganassi-Waltrip merger.

Car owner Chip Ganassi pulled the plug on Franchitti's team a month ago, in a shocker that left 71 people without jobs. That move by Ganassi has led to intense speculation about Ganassi's NASCAR future. Some of that speculation includes the possibility of some merger between Ganassi and the Michael Waltrip operation, which is also struggling and may be down to one sponsor next season for that three-car operation.

From Jayski.com.

With sponsorships drying up, consolidations may be a solution.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by BiscuitMan

Jayski's picked up a rumor from the Winston-Salem Journal today alluding to a possible Ganassi-Waltrip merger.

Car owner Chip Ganassi pulled the plug on Franchitti's team a month ago, in a shocker that left 71 people without jobs. That move by Ganassi has led to intense speculation about Ganassi's NASCAR future. Some of that speculation includes the possibility of some merger between Ganassi and the Michael Waltrip operation, which is also struggling and may be down to one sponsor next season for that three-car operation.

From Jayski.com.

With sponsorships drying up, consolidations may be a solution.

Any word on what decal they will run .... if this were to happen ?

[Bob Tanner]

I see that it came out of the Winston-Salem Journal... It smells of some vision that Mike Mulhern had while eating his chocolate doughnut one morning.

Either that or it's wishful thinking by Mikey and he's floating a "trial balloon?"

[BiscuitMan]

There may be more to this than just rumor. Reid Spencer of the Sporting News reported early this month that there was an eye-catching breakfast gathering at Doc Bales' restaurant in the Hilton Ocean Walk hotel the morning of the Daytona 400.

The group at a large table, front and center, included Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates along with Michael Waltrip Racing executive vice president Cal Wells and Michael Waltrip's partner and money man, Rob Kauffman.

Spencer reports that "Rob Kauffman said he wanted to meet Chip and me," Sabates said matter-of-factly at the Speedway later that afternoon.

So, this may be what had initiated the "rumor" of a possible merger or business arrangement to share information. The problem I see hear is that Ganassi uses Dodge products and Waltrip used Toyota products.

See SportingNews.com - Your expert source for NASCAR Auto Racing stats, scores, standings, blogs and fantasy news from NASCAR Auto Racing columnists

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by BiscuitMan

There may be more to this than just rumor. Reid Spencer of the Sporting News reported early this month that there was an eye-catching breakfast gathering at Doc Bales' restaurant in the Hilton Ocean Walk hotel the morning of the Daytona 400.

The group at a large table, front and center, included Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates along with Michael Waltrip Racing executive vice president Cal Wells and Michael Waltrip's partner and money man, Rob Kauffman.

Spencer reports that "Rob Kauffman said he wanted to meet Chip and me," Sabates said matter-of-factly at the Speedway later that afternoon.

So, this may be what had initiated the "rumor" of a possible merger or business arrangement to share information. The problem I see hear is that Ganassi uses Dodge products and Waltrip used Toyota products.

See SportingNews.com - Your expert source for NASCAR Auto Racing stats, scores, standings, blogs and fantasy news from NASCAR Auto Racing columnists

Now THAT puts it in a different light! When Cal Wells, Rob Kauffman and Felix Sabates sit down at the same table it probably isn't just for the hamburgers, french fries and Boones Farm.

I don't see Ganassi's using MOPAR as a major problem. Chip works well with Toyota in IRL and Rolex (Lexus there, which is just a Toyota with an expensive watch). I think he'd dump MOPAR in a nanosecond IF he could get the kind of deal Gibbs got and I think he might be able to even better that, considering his current association with TRD.

Hmmm...? Ganassi, Sabates, Wells (who, like Chip, has a lot of experience outside of NA__AR) and Kauffman...??? Things get curiouser and curiouser.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Now THAT puts it in a different light! When Cal Wells, Rob Kauffman and Felix Sabates sit down at the same table it probably isn't just for the hamburgers, french fries and Boones Farm.

I don't see Ganassi's using MOPAR as a major problem. Chip works well with Toyota in IRL and Rolex (Lexus there, which is just a Toyota with an expensive watch). I think he'd dump MOPAR in a nanosecond IF he could get the kind of deal Gibbs got and I think he might be able to even better that, considering his current association with TRD.

Hmmm...? Ganassi, Sabates, Wells (who, like Chip, has a lot of experience outside of NA__AR) and Kauffman...??? Things get curiouser and curiouser.

and the team name gets longer: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and Michael Waltrip brought to you by Toyota!

[bob101]

Why does everyone think it's MWR floating a deal to get a deal? Anything is possible but overall to be honest if I was starting this Sunday I'd rather be in a MWR car than a Ganassi one - at least this year.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by bob101

Why does everyone think it's MWR floating a deal to get a deal? Anything is possible but overall to be honest if I was starting this Sunday I'd rather be in a MWR car than a Ganassi one - at least this year.

I agree. It's no secret Chip is looking for the key to being a top dog again. Maybe he sees Mikey as a team that's strapped (loosing sponsors and perhaps drivers) but who has some good connections that he can take advantage of? One thing Chip isn't is dumb.

[bob101]

Yeah MWR isn't the end all be all that's for sure. But I would say his team is at least headed in the right direction as opposed to Ganasi which seems to be in freefall at the moment.

Two races ago Ganassi had a driver closer to falling out of the top 35 than MWR did.

[DOF_power]

So a couple of poorly run teams merged would form a competitive team ?!

Without the right people in the right place, the size, budget and technology still won't make a team competitive.

[Mindwarp]

There's a scheduled appearance by Mikey at a Napa store in our town Wednesday...should I ask him about it?

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Mindwarp

There's a scheduled appearance by Mikey at a Napa store in our town Wednesday...should I ask him about it?

Sure, go ahead. I'm sure you won't be the only one.

[Loki309]

Originally Posted by DOF_power

So a couple of poorly run teams merged would form a competitive team ?!

Sure why not. You know what they say about two ugly people. Together they make one beautiful baby.