Cingular Wireless in for BellSouth at Ganassi.

Cingular Wireless will make their first appearance across a Winston Cup car bonnet in 2001 after partner company BellSouth and new team boss Chip Ganassi completed the restructuring of the tragedy hit outfit, which lost up-and-coming driver Kenny Irwin in a practice accident at the New Hampshire International Speedway in July.

After the accident, then team boss Felix Sabates tried to create a new identity for the team and along with the transfer to the No.01 plate, BellSouth came up with a radically different paint-scheme to help the devastated team get back on its feet. Now it seems as though BellSouth have put another major piece of the team's 2001 plans in place.

After a recently formed partnership between BellSouth and Cingular Wireless, the former deemed it to be necessary for the latter to take over sponsorship of the 01 machine as this arm of the company best reflects the target market the firm hope to reach through its Winston Cup activities.

The final piece of the team's 2001 jigsaw will hopefully be put in place before the Dodge team's head to Daytona on Monday for a two-day test there. Ex-Roush Racing man Kevin Lepage is favourite for the 2001 ride but former Indy Racing League starlet and current Busch Grand National Series driver Jason Leffler is also in the hunt to partner Sterling Marlin in what could be one of the most surprising Dodge Intrepid outfits on the 2001 grid.

The experience and strategically sharp Ganassi, who bought a controlling interest in the team from Felix Sabates last year, will be a great benefit as it gives the two car operation added stature and the move to Dodge guarantees that the team will be near the top of the pecking order when it comes to new parts and development equipment. Sabates will still be on hand to oversee operations this year giving the team much needed continuity within the crew giving whoever gets the drive the best possible start to the 2001 season despite the lack of preparation time.