Page "Chip Ganassi Racing" Paragraph 5

The # 40 car debuted in 1993 as the 2nd car in the SABCO stable.

It had sponsorship from Dirt Devil and was piloted by rookie driver Kenny Wallace.

After Wallace finished 3rd behind Bobby Labonte and Jeff Gordon in the NASCAR Rookie of the Year standings, he left for other opportunities.

Bobby Hamilton drove the car the next season with sponsorship from Kendall Motor Oil, during which the # 40 car was bought by Dick Brooks.

Hamilton finished 23rd in points that year.

The 1995 season saw multiple drivers such as Rich Bickle, Greg Sacks, and Shane Hall pilot the car.

But at the end of the year, Brooks closed up shop and sold the team back to Sabates.

The team came back in 1996 with First Union sponsoring the car and Greg Sacks driving.

Returning full-time the next year with rookie driver Robby Gordon driving and Coors Light paying the bills, while the team switched from Pontiac to Chevy, things looked promising when Gordon won the pole at the spring Atlanta race.

Unfortunately, open-wheel ace Gordon suffered burns during the Indianapolis 500.

By the time he came back, the damage was done, and despite picking up a top-5 at Watkins Glen, Gordon was released.

Sacks returned to finish out the year.