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Economy Causes Seismic Shift In NASCAR Landscape

By TONY FABRIZIO

afabrizio@tampatrib.com

Published: January 31, 2009

Updated: 01/31/2009 08:55 pm

Team mergers made necessary by the difficult economy and Tony Stewart's move to an owner-driver role have contributed to the biggest alignment shakeup in years. Here are the major changes:

•1. Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Chip Ganassi Racing formed Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing and will field Chevrolets. Martin Truex Jr. and Juan Pablo Montoya have full-season sponsorship. Tampa's Aric Almirola is hoping to run the full season.

•2. Gillett Evernham Racing and Petty Enterprises are now Richard Petty Motorsports. Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and Reed Sorenson are the drivers. Sorenson gets the famed No. 43.

•3. Stewart has become 50 percent owner of the former Haas CNC Racing - now Stewart-Haas Racing - and will field Chevrolets for himself and Ryan Newman.

•4. Teenager Joey Logano takes over for Stewart at Joe Gibbs Racing, and David Stremme replaces defending Daytona 500 winner Newman at Penske Racing.

•5. Mark Martin returns to full-time racing with Hendrick Motorsports. Casey Mears moves to a new fourth team at Richard Childress Racing, although he'll get Clint Bowyer's old No. 07, while Bowyer takes No. 33.

•6. Hall of Fame Racing has switched to Fords, with Bobby Labonte driving.

TEAMS BY MANUFACTURER

FORD: Roush Fenway Racing, Yates Racing, Hall of Fame Racing.

CHEVY: Hendrick Motorsports, Stewart-Haas Racing, Richard Childress Racing, Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing.

DODGE: Penske Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports.

TOYOTA: Joe Gibbs Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing, Red Bull Racing, Robby Gordon Motorsports.

Tony Fabrizio

SEISMIC SHIFT

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