Lack of sponsorship causes EGR to park No. 8

[April 09, 2009]  CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing has shuttered the No. 8 car driven by Aric Almirola because of a lack of funding.

Almirola and the car started this season without full sponsorship, and team owner Chip Ganassi had not ruled out closing the team. The No. 8 was the centerpiece at Dale Earnhardt Inc. before the team merged with Ganassi last November.

Almirola split the ride last season with Mark Martin, but the team lost its sponsorship at the end of the season when Almirola was slated to drive the car full time.

Almirola is 37th in the Sprint Cup standings, with a season-best finish of 21st at Atlanta last month.

[Associated Press; By JENNA FRYER]

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