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Stremme In No. 40 In '06, Marlin Weighing Options
Owner Sabates says marketing, not performance triggered change.
By Marty Smith, NASCAR.COM
BROOKLYN, Mich. -- David Stremme was officially introduced Sunday as driver of Chip Ganassi Racing's No. 40 Dodges for 2006, but that news was overshadowed by the announcement of Sterling Marlin's potential plans.
Marlin, who has driven the No. 40 Coors entry for the past eight seasons, will finish out the 2005 campaign in that machine. But moving forward he has a decision to make.
Team owner Felix Sabatas said Marlin wants to compete full-time in the Nextel Cup Series next year, but has a lucrative deal on the table from Sabatas and Chip Ganassi to "hang around."
The personal services deal, which Chip Ganassi said was "well into the six-figures," also includes a full-time schedule Armando Fitz's No. 40 Busch Series entry, Sabatas said.
"Both Chip and I wanted to make sure he hung around with us," Sabatas explained. "So I went to Coors and said, 'Hey, Sterling has been with us now for eight years and deserves for you guys to do something with him.' So he has a very lucrative deal just to hang around, really.
"He said he wants to (drive in Nextel Cup). But he told me yesterday he's not going to drive for somebody that doesn't have a competitive team. I hope he gets something, but if not he's got a full-time Busch ride for next year.
"If I was him, with the money we're paying him, I'd take the Busch ride. He's still going to be involved with us. That's an extension of our race team."
Sabatas went on to explain that marketing, not performance, was the key reason behind the decision to replace Marlin with Stremme.
"That was the only reason, really," Sabatas said. "Coors came to us and said their marketing strategy had to be changed to young people. That's who buys beer today. You don't find many 50-year old men, old guys, drinking beer.
"This business is a young man's sport today. Coors brand is catering to the 22-to-30-year old crowd. Unfortunately we all get old. Not that Sterling is old, but he's not a marketing dream."
In 2006, Stremme's Dodges will split sponsorship between Coors Light and Lone Star Steakhouse. Coors will grace the hood in 19 events, while Lone Star will be the primary sponsor in the other 17 races.
"I never thought I'd be able to get to this level," Stremme said. "To be able to succeed in the driver development program is a feeling I can't describe. It's what I set out to do, and I feel next year I'll show the training I've been through is a success to come to the Nextel Cup Series."
Stremme will make his Nextel Cup debut at Chicagoland Speedway next month. He plans to test the speedway Monday. Ganassi said Stremme will run four Nextel Cup races in 2005 before running for rookie of the year next season.
Nascar.com
Owner Sabates says marketing, not performance triggered change.
By Marty Smith, NASCAR.COM
BROOKLYN, Mich. -- David Stremme was officially introduced Sunday as driver of Chip Ganassi Racing's No. 40 Dodges for 2006, but that news was overshadowed by the announcement of Sterling Marlin's potential plans.
Marlin, who has driven the No. 40 Coors entry for the past eight seasons, will finish out the 2005 campaign in that machine. But moving forward he has a decision to make.
Team owner Felix Sabatas said Marlin wants to compete full-time in the Nextel Cup Series next year, but has a lucrative deal on the table from Sabatas and Chip Ganassi to "hang around."
The personal services deal, which Chip Ganassi said was "well into the six-figures," also includes a full-time schedule Armando Fitz's No. 40 Busch Series entry, Sabatas said.
"Both Chip and I wanted to make sure he hung around with us," Sabatas explained. "So I went to Coors and said, 'Hey, Sterling has been with us now for eight years and deserves for you guys to do something with him.' So he has a very lucrative deal just to hang around, really.
"He said he wants to (drive in Nextel Cup). But he told me yesterday he's not going to drive for somebody that doesn't have a competitive team. I hope he gets something, but if not he's got a full-time Busch ride for next year.
"If I was him, with the money we're paying him, I'd take the Busch ride. He's still going to be involved with us. That's an extension of our race team."
Sabatas went on to explain that marketing, not performance, was the key reason behind the decision to replace Marlin with Stremme.
"That was the only reason, really," Sabatas said. "Coors came to us and said their marketing strategy had to be changed to young people. That's who buys beer today. You don't find many 50-year old men, old guys, drinking beer.
"This business is a young man's sport today. Coors brand is catering to the 22-to-30-year old crowd. Unfortunately we all get old. Not that Sterling is old, but he's not a marketing dream."
In 2006, Stremme's Dodges will split sponsorship between Coors Light and Lone Star Steakhouse. Coors will grace the hood in 19 events, while Lone Star will be the primary sponsor in the other 17 races.
"I never thought I'd be able to get to this level," Stremme said. "To be able to succeed in the driver development program is a feeling I can't describe. It's what I set out to do, and I feel next year I'll show the training I've been through is a success to come to the Nextel Cup Series."
Stremme will make his Nextel Cup debut at Chicagoland Speedway next month. He plans to test the speedway Monday. Ganassi said Stremme will run four Nextel Cup races in 2005 before running for rookie of the year next season.
Nascar.com
