According to several online sources, a merger between Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Ginn Racing has been completed.
If the Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Ginn Racing merger really has been completed as several online sources have confirmed, then Regan Smith must be confused. Just a week ago, Ginn Racing officials announced that Regan Smith would become the driver of the #14 Chevrolet after abruptly releasing veterans Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemechek. Despite rumors that Ginn Racing would soon be absorbed by DEI, Regan Smith appeared secure with his job. But now with the latest developments surrounding the Ginn Racing and DEI saga, Smith might not be as secure as he may have thought.
Supposedly, Bobby Ginn would be listed as the owner of the #15 driven by Paul Menard, and the #14 or #13 owner's points would be shifted to that team. Ginn would also be listed as the owner of the #01 driven by Mark Martin and Aric Almirola. Teresa Earnhardt would remain the listed owner of the #8 and #1, and the #13 and #14 teams would dissolve.
Now, just a week ago, Aric Almirola was named as co-driver of the #01, but the question lingers- Why would you sign another young driver (Almirola) when you already have one (Regan Smith), and you are expected to merge with another operation that already has three teams? It looks like Joe Nemechek and Sterling Marlin are not the only ones who lose in this situation. Is there room for Regan Smith? Maybe he will split seat time with Martin and Almirola in the 01. However, it seems unlikely that three drivers would share one ride.
DEI may hold on to Smith, as he could be the backup plan for the #8 car if the deal with Kyle Busch does not work out.
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Sterling Marlin has received other offers; however, he will have to sit on the sidelines until his contract situation is settled with Ginn Racing. Sterling Marlin must feel as if he is that car on the outside lane at Talladega getting passed by the twenty-car draft on the inside, and no one is jumping out to help him.
"I haven't talked to Bobby [Ginn]. [They] haven't returned calls to my lawyers," Marlin said. "They're kind of just leaving me hanging. ... I'd like to get something worked out and at least finish the year out with somebody if I could."
