Ganassi Racing Announces 2007 NASCAR Driver Lineup

Juan Pablo Montoya. Photo: Ganassi Racing

CONCORD, N.C. - Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced Monday its 2007 driver lineup for its NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series programs.

The multi-car team will run three NEXTEL Cup Series teams in 2007 with drivers David Stremme, Reed Sorenson and Juan Pablo Montoya, as well as two full-time Busch Series teams with its three Cup pilots and development drivers Bryan Clauson, Kevin Hamlin and Scott Lagasse, Jr.

“I have been waiting with much anticipation to the start of this season for some time now,” said team owner Chip Ganassi. “With the addition of Juan Pablo to our driver line-up and the year of experience that David and Reed now have under their belts, I am looking forward to a very exciting year that will hopefully provide multiple trips victory lane.”

Stremme will pilot the No. 40 Coors Light and Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon Dodges again this season.

Stremme and the No. 40 team, headed up by crew chief Steve Lane, finished the 2006 season strong earning four top-20 finishes in the final six races.

Sorenson will continue his NEXTEL Cup driving duties with CGRFS in the red and white No. 41 Target Dodge Charger.

Sorenson begins his sophomore season paired again with crew chief Jimmy Elledge. T

he Target Team amassed one top-five and five top-10 finishes en route to a 24th-place finish in the championship standings.

Internationally-known racer Juan Pablo Montoya takes over the driving duties of the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge in 2007.

Montoya will be working with veteran crew chief Donnie Wingo as the pair run for the rookie of the year title in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.

Wingo led Jamie McMurray to the 2004 title in the same No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge.

Ganassi and Sabates have expanded their Busch Series program to two full-time Dodge Chargers this season. Wrigley brands will adorn the No. 41 Busch Series entry in 2007.

Sorenson will run 18 races in the No. 41 Juicy Fruit Dodge, while Stremme will run a Winterfresh paint scheme for seven races.

Lagasse Jr. will be providing support for the No. 41 team in practice and qualifying sessions on the non-companion weekends.

Clauson, who turns 18-years old in June, will drive the No. 41 Busch Series Dodge with Memorex as the sponsor in the final seven races on the schedule.

Brian Pattie will again sit atop the pit box for the No. 41 Wrigley’s/Memorex team which has finished in the top 10 in the last two seasons.

For the first time, CGRFS will run the No. 42 Busch Series Dodge for the entire season sponsored by Texaco/Havoline.

Montoya will run the companion Busch races, as well as the race in Mexico City, enabling him to run for the Busch Series rookie title also.

Hamlin will compete in the non-companion events in the No. 42 Dodge as the team competes with the No. 41 Busch car for the owner’s title.

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