RICHMOND, Va. -- David Stremme is the latest driver on the free-agent market, as his ride with Chip Ganassi Racing appears to be coming to an end amid speculation he'll be replaced by Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti.
Stremme is in his second season driving the No. 40 Dodge, and Ganassi holds an option on next season that the car owner has yet to exercise. Stremme referred all questions about his status to his agent, Jeff Dickerson of Motorsports Management International.
"We are exploring David's options for 2008 and beyond," Dickerson said Friday at Richmond International Raceway. "He is very thankful for the opportunity he received from Chip Ganassi and looks to finish this year strong. But David is also looking forward to beginning the process of finding a new home."
Ganassi said he doesn't have sponsorship for the No. 40. Earlier this week, Coors Light said it would end its 14-year relationship with the team at the end of the season. The lack of money has prohibited him from picking up Stremme's option.
"In my conversation with David, I explained to him two or three different deals I'm working on for him," Ganassi said. "I want him to stick around. I just don't have anything for him right now, and I don't want to hold him up in finding something new.
"I told him that if he gets close to a new deal somewhere, I want to be the last phone call so I at least have an opportunity to keep him."
Ganassi said the search for a sponsor is ongoing, adding he's certain he'll field three cars next season. He also fields Dodges for Juan Pablo Montoya and Reed Sorenson.
There's talk that Ganassi is close to a deal to bring Franchitti to NASCAR, and rival owner Richard Childress also has expressed interest in the open-wheel driver. Franchitti currently drives for Andretti Green Racing and will try to hold off Ganassi driver Scott Dixon for the IndyCar Series title in Sunday's season finale.
Dan Wheldon, who drives for Ganassi in the IRL, is also an option for a NASCAR ride, but both driver and owner previously have stated 2008 is not a realistic goal.
Ganassi refused to comment specifically on Franchitti or Wheldon.
"I do not have any deals at this time with any other driver," Ganassi said.
Stremme is 23rd in the points, up from 33rd in last year's rookie season. He has two top 10s in his career and was a career-best eighth at Talladega in April.
Franchitti, whose one-year deal with Andretti ends Dec. 1, has said NASCAR is just one option for him.
"I could be back in IndyCar next year, or I could have some fun in sports cars or I could try my hand at NASCAR," he recently told the Associated Press. "But I've never even driven one of those (stock cars) at this point. I'd need to know a lot more about it."
Franchitti won his first Indy 500 in May and will try to add the series championship on Sunday. He has a three-point lead over Dixon heading into the finale.
