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Andretti to drive No. 34 for Earnhardt Ganassi
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Andretti will have a technical alliance that partners Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins and Andretti with EGR for Daytona and beyond, Ganassi sources confirmed on Friday. Window World, based in North Wilkesboro, N.C., is a residential replacement window company with more than 200 distributors nationwide.
"The Daytona 500 is always exciting but to go down there with the bullet I have to drive and be surrounded by so many friends, that's really exciting," Andretti said. "I know what to expect from the engines having worked with Richie Gilmore (COO of Earnhardt Childress Racing Technology) at DEI and (engine builder) Rick Mann at Petty Enterprises. I know it's last minute, but it's not so bad. They've been preparing for this for a long time."
"I feel like I have a real shot at winning the Daytona 500."
FOXSports.com first reported talks of a deal between Andretti and EGR on Jan. 26.
Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona, EGR President Steve Lauletta said, "Our goal with the fourth car is to run it deeper into the season." Lauletta added that he was searching for ways to retain "key and good employees," particularly given that the combined organization has released more than 200 people since the first layoff last summer.
Andretti, 45, won the Pepsi 400 at Daytona in 1997 driving for Cale Yarborough and has posted victories in stock cars, Indy cars, sports cars and dragsters. He raced for Jenkins the last two seasons. Andretti admitted that after four seasons, Jenkins wanted to expand his involvement in racing but wasn't entirely sure to what extent.
"We're good friends and we work together on a lot of things," Andretti said of Jenkins. "(The future of the team) all depends on what Bob can do because sponsorship right now is limited."
Andretti has raced under the Earnhardt banner in the past. In 2004, he ran five races in the No. 1 Chevrolet and an additional four races for A.J. Foyt.
In 2009, Andretti's plans will not be limited to NASCAR.
"The Indy 500 is not going to go off my radar screen," Andretti said. "I can't imagine not doing the Indy 500. I've had so much fun at Indy the last two years."
Former Cup Series regular Tony Raines is expected to pilot the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Chevrolet in the Nationwide Series race at Daytona.
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