With the economy continuing its downward spiral, two of NASCAR's most prominent Cup teams have been forced to cut their losses and combine programs starting in 2009. Rumors of a merger between Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sebates were confirmed Wednesday, when the new Earnhardt Ganassi Racing team was announced.

Martin Truex Jr. will pilot the No. 1 car, with Juan Pablo Montoya behind the wheel of the No. 42. Aric Almirola is slotted to take over the No. 8 ride this weekend at Homestead, while the driver of the No. 41 has yet to be announced.

Despite having a manufacturer difference, this merger has gone through. DEI has always run Chevrolets and has an engine package together with Richard Childress Racing (Earnhardt-Childress Engines). Ganassi currently runs Dodges and has a contract with the manufacturer through 2010. However, just as these two teams have merged, talks between GM and Chrysler have been reportedly underway and may have allowed an agreement such as this to take place.

"Having a partner like Chip, who is heavily involved on the competition side of the business, is an ideal situation for DEI," Teresa Earnhardt, owner of DEI explained. "He has a long history of managing championship teams in the IndyCar and Rolex Grand-Am Series and I share his passion and goals of winning races and ultimately championships in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. I think this is a case where we are stronger together than we are apart."

Started by the late Dale Earnhardt Sr., DEI ran its first full Cup season in 1998. Since then, DEI drivers have scored a total of twenty-four victories - including three Daytona 500 wins. After the loss of Dale Earnhardt Sr. in 2001, Teresa took over, yet the team was never the same.

Only three wins in the last four seasons, a clear leader in the company was missing. When Dale Earnhardt Jr. was denied an ownership stake last year, he packed his bags and left the team. Team president Max Siegel has done all he could to save the company, yet a troubled economy and the loss of two sponsors (U.S. Army and Menards) seemed to have forced their hand.

Chip Ganassi purchased majority ownership in SABCO Racing from Felix Sebates in 2001. Combining his IndyCar and Rolex Grand-Am Series with Felix Sebates' NASCAR program, hopes were high for this team. This year, the team lost driver Reed Sorenson to Gillett Evernham Motorsports for the 2009 season, while open-wheel star Dario Franchitti couldn't make the cut and left NASCAR mid-way through the season. Montoya has had strong runs as of late, however poor luck has kept him from sealing the deal. The success both Ganassi and Sebates hoped for has never truly come - the team has only one win in the last five seasons - but, perhaps Wednesday's announcement is a step in the right direction.

"In this ultra-competitive era of NASCAR, it is necessary to build and sustain the strongest team possible and our combining with the people and equipment at Dale Earnhardt Inc. will help create a strong four-car program for years to come," Chip Ganassi explained in a statement released by the team. "This is a win-win for both organizations as well as all of our partners."

More details are sure to emerge from Wednesday's announcement. Be sure to check back to HardcoreRaceFans.com to hear reactions from those in the garage and in the grandstands regarding this merger this weekend at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.