Evernham Motorsports is expected to announce George Gillett Jr. as its new majority owner as early as today. Ray Evernham said Saturday that the deal is in place. Evernham said he’s willing to surrender control of his operation to bring in Gillett’s business acumen. The move will enable Evernham to refocus his energies on his strength, the competition side of the industry. Evernham, who currently fields cars for Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and Scott Riggs, said he expected to make multiple major announcements this week, fueling speculation that Budweiser could be coming aboard as a sponsor in 2008.
Juan Pablo Montoya will race in his final Busch Series event next week at Watkins Glen, then the team will stop competing. Chip Ganassi Racing officials said Wednesday the No. 42 Busch program was formed only to help Montoya adjust to NASCAR after six seasons in Formula One.
He drove the car to a win in March on the road course in Mexico City, and will try for another one in Watkins Glen, N.Y., next Saturday. After that, Ganassi will stop operating the team because the remainder of the schedule isn’t a good fit with Montoya’s Nextel Cup season.
Mike Bliss has resigned from BAM Racing, according to a team release. Team officials say that Chad Chaffin will drive the No. 49 Dodge this weekend at New Hampshire International Speedway and in two weeks at Chicagoland Speedway. Bliss resigned after the team failed to qualify for several races.
John Menard is reported to be considering moving his sponsorship from Dale Earnhardt Inc. to Roger Penske’s Dodge team, with Penske expanding to a three-car operation. Menard, according to sources, has chopped his list to two owners, and it appears that Robby Gordon is no longer in the running. Menard, who is supporting son Paul on the Cup tour at DEI, has been reported interested in purchasing DEI from Teresa Earnhardt.
Penske Racing announced on Tuesday that Pat Tryson will become crew chief effective immediately of the No. 2 Dodge driven by Kurt Busch. Tryson replaces Troy Raker who has served as interim crew chief of the team since Texas. Troy will return to his previous role within the Penske engineering department. Tryson, a 10-year veteran Nextel Cup crew chief, led Mark Martin to the Chase in each of the last three seasons while working for Roush Fenway Racing. Most recently, he served as crew chief for Greg Biffle and the No. 16 team.
Add Chip Ganassi Racing to the list of teams that are interested in Kyle Busch. Team owner Chip Ganassi said he is interested in talking to the driver. Ganassi said he is not in the position to add a team since the best of his three drivers is Juan Pablo Montoya, who ranks 21st in the points.
Roger Penske said Sunday he plans to field two Dodge-backed Nextel Cup Series teams in 2008. Recent reports said Penske Racing may leave Dodge next season in favor of a move to Toyota, a rumor Penske dismissed. “Our Dodge commitment is a long-term contract,” said Penske, one of the world’s largest Toyota dealers.
Jayski.com is reporting that Mobil 1 is in negotiations to be a full-time, primary sponsor for a third Penske Racing Nextel Cup Dodge in 2008. No word on a driver.