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Here's hoping you've enjoyed the holiday season and that 2009 is a year full of hope, health and happiness.

As we're finishing the last of whatever holiday goodies have expanded our waistlines even further the last two weeks, let's check in with some of stories that have brought at least a little news to the racing off-season:

PETTY-GEM DONE DEAL

The merger between Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Petty Enterprises will officially be announced early next week barring any last minute legal snafus. Several sources close to the situation have confirmed the famed Petty No. 43 will come under the GEM roof as part of the deal and run under the Richard Petty Motorsports banner. Reed Sorenson comes from Ganassi Racing to drive the car with no sponsor yet named, although there are reports funding is in place. Sorenson joins Kasey Kahne in the GEM No. 9 and newcomer A.J. Allmendinger, who will replace Elliott Sadler in the No. 19 ride. GEM's No. 10 entry is idle at the moment and unless sponsorship can be obtained, it appears the team will again have only three cars on the grid in 2009 despite the merger with Petty.

SAD DAYS FOR SADLER

Sadler has kept a low-profile during the whole driver change process with leaked out last week and although GEM has not officially announced the switch it is said to be a lock that Allmendinger will move to the No. 19. It will be a major blow to Sadler's career and unless he somehow finds his way to the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing No. 41, all but filled by Bobby Labonte, the music is about to stop and Sadler will find himself without a seat for the 2009 Sprint Cup season. Although GEM will fulfill the remainder of Sadler's contract, which he signed last May and will no doubt keep millions of dollars flowing into his bank account for the next couple of years, not having a full-time spot in next year's series could spell the end of the popular Virginia driver's Sprint Cup tenure.

SOPHOMORE SEASON FOR SMITH

Reigning Sprint Cup Series Rookie-of-the-Year Regan Smith will have at least a part-time ride in 2009 when he takes the wheel of the Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet. The independent team announced it would run only a partial schedule next season doe to economic issues and Smith replaces veteran Joe Nemechek who piloted the car for the last two years.

SMI'S KENTUCKY HOME

Speedway Motorsports Inc. completed its purchase of Kentucky Speedway this week adding the 1.5-mile superspeedway to its holdings which includes Lowe's Motor Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Infineon Raceway. However until the pending suit the track has filed against NASCAR is dropped, there won't be a Sprint Cup race in the track's future even if SMI head Bruton Smith petitions to move a date from one of his existing properties. Kentucky is set to hold a Nationwide and truck series race in 2009 as well as an IRl date but smart money says it is a long shot at best the track ever brings NASCAR's top division to the Blue Grass State.

WHAT OFF-SEASON?

Although NASCAR has mandated a testing ban for 2009 across all of its top divisions, many drivers are finding a way to get some seat time this winter, if not in their usual places. Jamie McMurray did some kart racing recently at Daytona International Speedway. Tony Stewart won an indoor midget race in Ft. Wayne, Indiana - the third straight year "Smoke" has taken the checkered flag in the event. Kyle Petty and A.J. ALlmendinger did sone Grand American sports car testing in preparation for the upcoming Roex 24 Hours of Daytona. And even some crew chiefs and mechanics got into the act racing in the Polar Bear 150 street stock race at North Carolina's Rockingham Speedway on New Year's Day.

TUNE IN

Dial into Sirius NASCAR Radio Channel 128 this Saturday and Sunday for Press Pass from 9 a.m. - Noon ET. We'll talk about all things NASCAR as the countdown to Daytona and Speedweeks continues.