Almirola in No. 8 for 2009, Martin to Hendrick No. 5, Dario and 40 Team Out at CGRFS
By Bram • Jul 1st, 2008 • Category: News, Sprint Cup Series
Almirola to Pilot No. 8 Car Full Time in 2009
Rookie driver promoted to full-time Sprint Cup status next season: After spending two seasons sharing a car with veteran Mark Martin, 24-year-old Aric Almirola will take over the No. 8 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chevrolet full time in 2009. …Almirola, from Tampa, Fla., began sharing the Sprint Cup ride with Martin during the second half of the 2007 season and has continued in that role in 2008. During his 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts, the rookie driver has shown vast improvement, posting a top-10 finish in his debut this season at Bristol and qualifying third a week later at Martinsville.
Martin, who has driven the No. 8 in 12 events this season, will compete in 12 more races this year before moving to another team for the 2009 campaign. Almirola will compete in the balance of the season’s seven races. In addition to his time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Almirola has made 27 starts in the Nationwide Series, earning four poles and one win at Milwaukee in 2007.
Widely Rumored– Mark Martin To Hendrick Motorsports?
Hendrick Motorsports To Make Announcement Friday On Driver Of No. 5: Hendrick Motorsports will hold a news conference to announce future plans for its No. 5 Chevrolet team on Friday, July 4 at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Sponsorship Economics Close CGRFS No. 40
CONCORD, N.C. (June 30, 2008) - Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) announced today that due to a lack of sponsorship funding it will cease operation of the team’s No. 40 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) Dodge driven by Dario Franchitti beginning this weekend in Daytona. “This is a difficult decision for Felix and I that did not come without its share of anguish,” said Team Owner Chip Ganassi. “In this tough business environment continuing to run the car without proper funding has become increasingly difficult.” CGRFS is committed to Franchitti’s continued stockcar development and are currently in discussions with him on his racing options with the team which could include running the balance of the 2008 Nationwide season in the No. 40 Fastenal Dodge. Currently the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline/Juicy Fruit Dodge of Juan Pablo Montoya is 21st in owner points while the No. 41 Target Dodge driven by Reed Sorenson is sitting 31st in the standings. -
