Marlin, Ganassi look at 'different things' for '06

Sterling Marlin has given the broadest hint yet that he won't be returning to the #40 Coors Light Dodge next year as rumours of wholesale changes in the Ganassi camp come to the surface.

Marlin's departure from the #40 Dodge has been all but confirmed by both driver and team owner in recent weeks and the double Daytona 500 winner admitted that while he'd like to see out his career with Ganassi, it just isn't going to happen.

"If we got the cars back to where they was [in 2001 and 2002 when Marlin challenged for the Championship], I'd like to retire driving for the Coors car, but that's not going to happen.

"I'm not 100% sure I'm won't be back next year with them," added the Tennessee based driver, who will turn 48 at the end of June. "Back in 2001 they didn't have to sign me up to drive the car, and I got an opportunity to get a good race car and good stuff and won races. I had a good chance to win the championship for two years and things kind of went south on us and we ain't got the cars back to where they need to be.

"My contract is up and they want to do some different things and I guess I'll go do some different things and we'll still be friends."

While Marlin's departure hasn't yet been made official, he added that he wants to know where he is driving in 2006 as early as the July 2nd Pepsi 400 at Daytona.

"I've been approached by some teams and I'm talking to some teams to try to get something lined up by the time I get to Daytona in July," he added. "I don't know right now [where he will be driving]. "I mean, I just can't tell you that, but it's definitely going to be in the Nextel Cup."

Marlin may not be the only one of Ganassi's three current Nextel Cup drivers who could find themselves searching for alternative employment in 2006 with Jamie McMurray being constantly linked with Rusty Wallace's #2 Penske Dodge and uncertainty of Casey Mears' status with the team.

"I think Chip's got options on Casey and Jamie if he wants to renew them, so who knows what's going to happen," concluded Marlin, who currently sits 23rd in the Nextel Cup points table.