DEI's effort to grow could mean 13's lucky

Dale Earnhardt Inc. is looking to expand its Nextel Cup operation and has inquired about acquiring an existing team.

DEI vice president John Story said Monday the purchase of a team in the top 35 of car owner points would be used to shore up DEI's No.15 team driven by Paul Menard. Menard is 39th in owner points and has failed to qualify for six races. The top 35 teams are guaranteed spots in a 43-car Cup field.

Menard's teammates, Martin Truex Jr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr., sit 10th and 12th in points, respectively, after Saturday's Pepsi 400 at Daytona.

Story declined to name teams with which DEI has talked, but multiple sources confirmed Ginn Racing's team driven by Joe Nemechek is the prime target.

The No.13 Chevrolet, which is not fully sponsored, is 33rd in owner points and Ginn has had some financial difficulties this season.

Officials with Ginn Racing were not immediately available for comment late Monday.

DEI officials have maintained their plan is to field four Cup teams in 2008. They are searching for a driver to replace Earnhardt Jr. in the No.8 Chevy.

FIKE AWAITS COURT, BUT LOSES RIDE

Although NASCAR hasn't determined his fate, Truck Series driver Aaron Fike was replaced as driver in Red Horse Racing's No.1 Toyota.

Fike and his fiancee, Cassandra Davidson, remain at the Warren County Jail in Lebanon, Ohio, and are being held without bond on charges of possession of drugs and possession of drug abuse instruments. They await a court hearing today.

The two were arrested Saturday in Mason, Ohio, after police searched Fike's sport utility vehicle in the parking lot of the Kings Island amusement park and discovered a substance reportedly believed to be heroin and drug paraphernalia.

On Monday, Red Horse Racing named NASCAR veteran David Green as its driver for Saturday's race at Kentucky Speedway.

"We are still investigating to get first-hand information on what happened with Aaron," said team owner and general manager Tom DeLoach.

NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said officials would continue to investigate.

KYLE BUSCH'S CAR PASSES INSPECTION

NASCAR cleared Hendrick Motorsports' No.5 Busch Series team after it checked the front springs at its research and development center in Concord.

Kyle Busch won Saturday's rain-delayed race in Daytona Beach, Fla., but NASCAR officials were unable to get an accurate reading on the car's front spring rate during postrace inspection.

After measuring the car Monday, the car was found within tolerances and passed inspection.