Earnhardt-Ganassi to Ford?

UPDATE #6 Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing President Steve Lauletta confirmed to Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that EGR will remain in the Chevrolet camp in 2011 and beyond. "The challenge of this business is that things change so quickly," said Lauletta. "We've got everything settled down now, to a point where we can look two, three or even four years down the road and decide where we want to be. When companies come and ask about being a part of it, we certainly are willing to talk to them. But we've been very happy with both GM and Chevy, and we have to look at what's best for this company in the long term." Lauletta said the success of Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines this season played a role in the decision to remain with Chevrolet. "Shutting down the in-house engine shop at Ganassi Racing a few years ago caused quite a bit of apprehension," said Lauletta, "but there has never been a single question about way we are treated by ECR. We have been extremely happy with that relationship over the years, and we are really happy with where we are right now." Lauletta also said he is "not anticipating any changes" on Jamie McMurray's #1 team next year, including driver, sponsor and crew chief. Sirius Speedway

11/03/10 This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today. Earnhardt Ganassi Racing will continue its relationship with General Motors [Chevy] and Earnhardt Childress Racing Technologies. At a lunch on Wednesday celebrating Jamie McMurray's win at Charlotte Motor Speedway, employees were made aware of the decision. FoxSports

11/02/10 Another related rumor says that if Ganassi switches to Ford in NASCAR, he may run Ford power in his Grand-Am Daytona Prototypes as well.

11/01/10 Expect a decision on Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing's possible move from Chevy to Ford by the end of this week. Sources with the team say that Ford's offer is better financially than what Chevy can provide, but that Jamie McMurray's wins in this year's Daytona 500, Brickyard 400 and Bank Of America 500 at Charlotte were due in large part to the dominance of Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines. "The offer is on the table, and it's up to them whether or not to take it," said a spokesperson for Ford Motor Company. "If this was a strict business decision, I think Chip (Ganassi) would make the move. But racers are a pretty loyal bunch. I honestly think it could go either way." Sirius Speedway

10/26/10 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing officials don't deny that Ford has approached them about switching manufacturers in 2011. They also say there are no plans to leave Chevy, in part because of the long-standing relationship the Earnhardt part of this equation has with General Motors, not to mention the Earnhardt Childress Racing engines that arguably are the best in the business at the moment ESPN.com

10/25/10 This rumor is upgraded to 'strong' today. According to AutoRacing1.com sources, an Earnhardt-Ganassi move to Ford appears inevitable. Ford is one of the biggest sponsors in NASCAR and they need more teams capable of winning races. Since Earnhardt-Ganassi probably does not get much help from GM after Hendrick, Stewart-Haas and Childress feed before them, Ford is probably making them a better financial deal. The offer has been made by Ford, the ball is in Chips' court now. And besides, Chip Ganassi is one smart businessman and you'll understand why more tomorrow (Tuesday) when we rumor about another big deal he is about to sign.

10/24/10 While Chip Ganassi brushed off the possibility of switching from Chevy to Ford as "just a rumor" last week at Charlotte Motor Speedway, sources told FOXSports.com that Ford initiated discussions with the team in July, and a decision could come as early as next week at Talladega Superspeedway. Although Ganassi's NASCAR drivers Jamie McMurray and Juan Pablo Montoya failed to make the 2010 Chase for the Sprint Cup field, the pair has delivered four wins this year.

McMurray, who won the Daytona 500 in his return to Ganassi this season, moved from Ford's Roush Fenway Racing at the end of last year. In four years at RFR, McMurray posted just two wins. Ganassi stands to benefit through the support the company would receive from Ford both on a financial and technological basis. When it comes to the pecking order at Chevrolet, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing lulls far behind Hendrick Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing, who shares an allegiance with Hendrick. At Ford, Ganassi would be second only to Jack Roush. The area that would hit Ganassi the hardest would be the loss the company's partnership with Earnhardt Childress Racing Technology engines – currently one of the top programs in the garage. ECRT engines have won eight races this season. Only Mark Cronquist's engines at Joe Gibbs Racing have accounted for more (9) wins. With teams already preparing for the 2011 season, ECRT has been told a decision will come from Ganassi by Talladega. ECRT currently provides engines for Richard Childress Racing, EGR and Tommy Baldwin Racing. Furniture Row Racing will join the program next year. FoxSports