Bloggin' is Racin'

Big names signing up for 24 Hours at Daytona

Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates has announced their lineups for their two entries in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.

Juan Pablo Montoya, Dario Franchitti, Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas will pilot the No. 01 TELMEX/Target Daytona Prototype, and Scott Dixon, Dan Wheldon, Salvador Duran and Alex Lloyd will share the No. 02 Target/TELMEX Daytona Prototype.

Pruett, Montoya and Duran teamed up to lead 468 of 668 laps on their way to victory in the 2007 Rolex 24 while Dixon, Wheldon and former Ganassi driver Casey Mears captured the 2006 Rolex 24.

Montoya and Franchitti join two other NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers who have already announced they will drive in the endurance race on Jan 26-27 on the road course at Daytona International Speedway. Kurt Busch will team with Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe in the No. 9 Toshiba Pontiac Riley fielded by a partnership between Penske Racing and Wayne Taylor Racing. Reigning Cup champion Jimmie Johnson will co-drive with defending Daytona Prototype champions Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty and Jimmy Vasser in the No. 99 Lowe's/GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing Pontiac Riley.

-- Michele Vincze

Pemberton leaves DEI

Crew chief Ryan Pemberton has left Dale Earnhardt Inc., and the team said Doug Richert will replace him beginning Wednesday, The Associated Press reported.
Pemberton, who was crew chief for the No. 01 U.S. Army Chevrolet in 2007, was scheduled to lead the No. 8 Chevy that will be co-driven next season by Mark Martin and Aric Almirola in 2008.
“Ryan is immensely talented and has always been sought-after,” DEI general manager John Story said Tuesday. “He's now chosen to pursue some of those opportunities and we wish him nothing but the best.”
Pemberton, 38, spent eight seasons with MB2 Motorsports, which was bought by Bobby Ginn before last season. Ginn then sold the team to DEI, and Pemberton continued with the organization after the acquisition.
Richert, 47, became the youngest crew chief to win a Cup championship when he did so as a 20-year-old with the late Dale Earnhardt in 1980. He spent most of last season with Brian Vickers and the No. 83 Toyota Camry at startup Red Bull Racing, but was let go late in the year. Before joining the Red Bull team, Richert was crew chief for Greg Biffle at Roush Fenway Racing.

Drivers like holiday music, too

Ever wonder what holiday music your favorite Roush Fenway driver listens to? Well, wonder no more. The Roush Fenway gang has put together their favorite tunes on an iTunes iMix you can download and keep for your very own. Greg Biffle, Jamie McMurray, David Ragan and Texas native Colin Braun all contributed a few favorites. The complete list can be found on iTunes by clicking on iMix and typing in Roush Fenway in the search window. The Roush guys also have a regular everyday mix of their favorite rock and pop songs you can download.

-- Michele Vincze