Tuesday afternoon, a report by FoxSports.com says that merger talks are currently underway between Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sebates. Despite a manufacture difference - DEI runs Chevrolets and Ganassi runs Dodges - apparently these two teams are looking to each other as a way to remain competitive in NASCAR's top series.

According to the report, the No. 1 and No. 8 of DEI would merge with the No. 41 and No. 42 of Chip Ganassi Racing. Martin Truex Jr. has signed on for another year to pilot the No. 1, while Aric Almirola is poised to take over the No. 8 full-time beginning at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. On the Ganassi side, Juan Pablo Montoya is the only driver signed on for the 2009 season with the No. 41 seat left for many to speculate.

With many questions surrounding Dodge's commitment to NASCAR, Chip Ganassi Racing has a contract with the manufacturer through 2010, but it seems Chevrolet may win out on this battle. DEI has a partnership with Richard Childress Racing for engines - Earnhardt-Childress Engines - which may be too entrenched to overcome. Keep in mind, there has also been talk about a larger merger between GM and Chrysler which may negate this difference in the end.

For Montoya, merger talks are the last thing on his mind. "I haven't really talked to Chip (Ganassi) the last few days," the second-year driver explained. "I haven't even asked him (about merger talks). I haven't even asked him who's driving the other (#41) car. Right now our focus is to try and run better. At the end of the day, it's important to make sure that you have a good teammate. Whoever Chip decides to driver the 41 is going to be the best guy available. As long as I do my part, I'm pretty happy. We need to make sure that the whole company runs a little better. Merger, no merger... I don't know....I just drive the car."

Both organizations have struggled this year to keep drivers and sponsors signed for the future, putting them both in an unwanted situation.

Ganassi Racing lost long-time NASCAR sponsor Texaco/Havoline for the 2009 season - whether this was due to unsatisfactory performance or simply a tough economy is unclear. The team also lost driver Reed Sorenson to Gillett Evernham Motorsports and was forced to cut back the No. 40 car after Dario Franchitti retreated to the IndyCar Series after a disappointing season.

For DEI, losing Dale Earnhardt Jr. last season seemed to be an unrecoverable blow, however the company has managed to keep its head above water this season. Contract negotiations brought the team's number one driver - Martin Truex Jr. - back to the team, however, Hendrick Motorsports was able to lure another of their top drivers - Mark Martin - away from the organization. Another blow to DEI came when Stewart-Haas Racing was able to convince the U.S. Army to sponsor Ryan Newman's No. 39 Chevrolet instead of the No. 8.

If these two teams actually go through with this merger, it will definitely benefit both organizations. DEI has lacked leadership for years, while Ganassi has lacked manufacturer support needed to be a top team. We at HardcoreRaceFans.com will be sure to keep an eye on any of the latest developments and will keep our readers up-to-date with the latest news.