Latest Ganassi merger rumor? Petty? UPDATE Labonte?:Trying to pin down the state of Petty Enterprises, under its new Boston Ventures' management, and the future of the Chip Ganassi operation has been tough enough the last few weeks, but now the speculation of a GM-Chrysler corporate merger has thrown things into a real tizzy. Insiders at both the Petty and Ganassi Dodge camps say there is speculation that the two struggling teams may somehow merge, and that that speculation is fueled by the sense that fellow Dodge owner George Gillett, who has majority interest in Gillett-Evernham-Motorsports, is "99 percent" certain to jump to Toyota. Ray Evernham was Dodge's mainstay in NASCAR racing, making such a move highly unusual. Dodge officials a few weeks ago denied such a change might be coming. One major complication for Dodge teams like Petty's and Ganassi's is that Gillett-Evernham has been a major Dodge engine operation. If Gillett moves to Toyota, then Dodge loses a very big player.(Winston-Salem Journal)(10-12-2008)
UPDATE: hearing that a Ganassi-Petty Enterprises merger is still possible with Target being the sponsor for Bobby Labonte in the #43. With #42-Juan Pablo Montoya and #44-Chad McCumbee as teammates and a possible 4th team with Kyle Petty running part time in the #45.(10-21-2008) Comment here

Some points here. First this makes more sense than DEI. Ganassi is with Dodge and has a building he owns, which would be an upgrade for the Petty's who currently lease from Yates.They could also move the #41's points to the new #44 (formerly #45) and put them in the top 35 in points. Target would finally get a marketable and able driver in Bobby Labonte. However, everything is absolutely crazy with all the mergers. This comes from the Winston Salem Journal which is usually about 90% crap and 10% truth. Take all of this with a grain of salt. If this does go through, can anyone imagine a Target car with Petty blue on it? Crazy.