DaytonDailyNews.com

NEW YORK — Petty Enterprises is in discussions to merge its storied franchise with Gillett Evernham Motorsports, The Associated Press has learned.

Multiple people familiar with the talks told the AP on Thursday, Dec. 4, that the two teams were discussing a deal that would merge Petty's famed No. 43 Dodge with GEM to become a four-car operation. They requested anonymity because the negotiations are ongoing.

SI.com first reported that Petty Enterprises' top operation will not return in 2009. But David Zucker, CEO of Petty Enterprises, said the report was "not accurate."

He would not discuss a potential merger. "We're not going to comment on rumors and speculation," he said.

Petty, the team founded by seven-time series champion Richard Petty, has no full-time sponsorship lined up for 2009. The team fields its flagship No. 43 for 2000 Cup champion Bobby Labonte and a second car for Chad McCumbee, which Kyle Petty shared. Kyle Petty is expected to have a minimal role — if any — next season.

Robbie Loomis, vice president of Petty Enterprises, told the AP nothing has changed with the organization, and the team is continuing to talk to potential partners.

"We're in the same place we were a month ago, when everyone was saying we were going to merge with (Chip) Ganassi," Loomis said. "We're still talking to everybody and seeing what's out there."

Ganassi, which like Petty fields Dodges, instead merged with Chevrolet-backed Dale Earnhardt Inc. late last month.

Drew Brown, a spokesman for Gillett Evernham, said the team would not comment on any potential merger. But it's no secret that majority owner George Gillett Jr. has canvassed the industry looking for a partner to help his team expand to the NASCAR maximum four cars.