The announcement led to questions about the future of Dale Earnhardt Inc. In addition, questions surrounded Martin Truex Jr.’s ability to become the face of the legendary team.

While DEI has never won a Sprint Cup championship, the team bears the name of a NASCAR icon. And for that reason, expectations are huge.

Jr.’s highly publicized departure seemingly looked to be the end of DEI. The team struggled in 2008.

Truex was hit with a 150 point penalty. Teresa Earnhardt was rumored to be considering selling the team. There were conflicting reports over Truex Jr’s option for 2009, which led to a fight with DEI’s president Max Siegel. Siegel eventually left the team. Mark Martin, like Jr., left the team for Hendrick. Paul Menard left the team for Yates Racing, taking his father’s Menard sponsorship with him. The team also lost its US Army sponsorship to Stewart Haas Racing and Ryan Newman. DEI was left with four cars, three drivers (Truex Jr, Aric Almirola, and Regan Smith), and one sponsor.

Enter Chip Ganassi Racing. CGR and DEI merged to form Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, virtually saving both companies. CGR brought Juan Pablo Montoya, and Target. He also had Wrigley’s signed for a half-year worth of sponsorship.

Things were looking up for the team, as EGR was said to be courting past champion, Bobby Labonte. But then, a deal feel through and Labonte was announced as the driver of Hall of Fame Racing’s No. 96, which has an alliance with Yates Racing.

When the dust settled from the offseason, and teams returned to Daytona International Speedway for practice for the 500, Truex unloaded with a fast car. He was in the top 5 in both practices. And when qualifying came around, he posted the fastest time, taking the pole.

This is exactly what EGR needed to do out of the gate. Taking the pole of the season’s biggest race will help this team put one of its toughest offseasons behind it.

While the work is not done yet, the team can pat itself on the back for a good showing in the first step of the Daytona 500. Next up, winning one of the Gatorade Duels.

Following Sunday’s showing, I for one will not be counting out EGR.

Rumor has it that now Labonte is being considered for the No. 8, where he will be reunited with his former Petty Enterprises crew cheif Doug Randolph.

Other EGR rumors include that Target may move its sponsorship over to the No. 42 and Juan Pablo Montoya, instead of the No. 41 car, which currently does not have a driver named.

Martin Truex Jr. will be back in the No. 1 with Bass Pro Shops. Aric Almirola, at this point, is expected to drive the No. 8 car, which is currently looking for sponsorship following the departure of the U.S. Army. He may be moved to the No. 41 car, though. Montoya will be sponsored by Wrigley’s Big Red and Juicy Fruit brands, but that sponsorship only covers half of the season.

Almirola said in a NASCAR.com article:

It is something they have kicked around and talked about. But really and truly we want to run four cars. That is the goal because everybody knows to be competitive you have to have a multi-car team. They have said if we have to run three cars it may be a possibility but it is not our goal.

Also, Max Siegel, president of global operations for Dale Earnhardt Inc., which is now EGR, is said to be close to leaving the team. Siegel has been working with DEI owner Teresa Earnhardt about his future plans with the team.

CGR is also said to be considering a merger with Petty Enterprises.

Currently, CGR has one full time sponsor for next season (Target), and one part time sponsor (Wrigley’s). DEI only has one full time sponsor (Bass Pro Shops) and part time sponsorship for the team’s other two cars.

Paul Menard is leaving DEI at the end of the season to join Yates Racing, and he is taking his Menards sponsorship with him.

Petty Enterprises is also seeking sponsorship for its cars.

CGR fields Dodges, while DEI fields Chevys, which could be a potential stumbling block for any merger with DEI.

But, given Dodge’s performance in the sport and the current economic climate, a move from Dodge to Chevy may be possible.

Franchitti drove Ganassi’s No. 40 Dodge in the Sprint Cup Series before the team was shut down due to a lack of sponsorship. Franchitti missed a few races because of an injury he sustained at the Nationwide race at Talladega Superspeedway. He also missed some races due to being outside of the top 35 in owner points.

Some believed that Franchitti was the frontrunner to replace Reed Sorenson, who is heading to Gillette Evernham Motorsports next season. Franchitti elected to return to IndyCar instead.

Franchitti said:

 I have really enjoyed this last season in stockcars and have not completely closed that chapter of my professional career but the opportunity that arose was just something I could not pass up.

Dan Weldon, the driver Franchitti will replace, agreed this week to a multiyear deal to return to Panther Racing, his first team, where he will drive the No. 4 car.

GEM said that a sponsor and number announcement would be coming soon. No word on plans for Chip Ganassi Racing’s No. 41 Target Dodge, currently driven by Sorenson. Also, no word on what will happen to Patrick Carpentier, driver of GEM’s No. 10 Dodge.

Sorenson will become a teammate to Kasey Kahne and Elliott Salder.

GEM’s CEO Tom Reddin said:

[Sorenson] is a highly marketable young driver who knows how to win races, and has a long career full of promise ahead of him.

Chip Ganassi said:

After much internal discussion over the last few months we agreed that parting ways with Reed was the right decision for all of us. The business side of sports is never easy and this was just a business decision that was made on both our parts. We wish Reed nothing but the best.

Hopefully this will be a positive change for Sorenson, who reportedly lost favor with the team after missing a sponsorship appearance. Some also questioned his dedication.

Moving over to GEM can be a fresh start for Sorenson, who drove for CGRWFS his entire Sprint Cup career.

Some have question Ganassi’s dedication to his NASCAR program, as his attention sometimes seems to be more focused on his Indy Racing League team.

Perhaps an owner who is focused on Cup may be better for Sorenson.