Rumor has it that Gillett Evernham Motorsports is in talks with Petty Enterprises about a merger for 2009.  A possible merger would mean that one of the PE cars, most likely the No. 45, would be dropped, as the No. 43 would join GEM’s Nos. 9, 10, and 19.

Should a merger go through, there are rumors that Reed Sorenson, AJ Allmendinger, Elliott Sadler, and Kasey Kahne would make up the new GEM/PE team. That would leave Bobby Labonte out in the cold.

Sources believe he could end up in the No. 41 Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing team.

As a result of the Earnhardt and Ganassi merger, the No. 10 will move into the top 35 in owners’ points because the merger eliminated two teams that were in the top 35.