Stremme loses sponsor.

Chip Ganassi Racing's Nextel Cup sophomore David Stremme and his #40 Dodge team were dealt a blow on Friday when their 2006 co-primary sponsor Lone Star Steakhouse ended their relationship with the team.

The company, which sponsored Stremme in nearly half of the 2006 races, was the subject of a takeover late last year and has now been removed from all team clothing and PR literature.

Long-time sponsors of the #40 team Coors Light, which is due to sponsor Stremme for 17 races this year including next weekend's Daytona 500, will be joined by one-off primary sponsor Tums in 2007 as Stremme looks to build on what was a learning year for him in 2006.

With such short notice it is unlikely that even ace sponsor finder Ganassi can conjure up a replacement for Lone Star before the first race the firm was due to provide backing for this year.