Dario Franchitti will partner Juan Pablo Montoya in the main car after Chip Ganassi yesterday announced their team for next month's Daytona 24 hours.

The pairing of Scotland's Franchitti with the seven times grand prix winner is being viewed as a "dream team", as Ganassi seeks to retain their 2007 crown.

Montoya, the former McLaren Formula One driver, won the famous US event this year with Scott Pruett and Salvador Duran. Franchitti, the Indycar champion, will team up in the same car, with Pruett and Memo Rojas also in the lead vehicle.

The team's second car for the prestigious Florida endurance classic will comprise Alex Lloyd, Scott Dixon, Dan Wheldon and Duran.

After winning in 2006 and 2007, another victory for Chip Ganassi will make it a record-breaking third consecutive Rolex 24-hour crown.

"Everyone knows how special this race is and how much of a team effort it takes to win at Daytona," said team owner, Chip Ganassi. "We have another great opportunity this year with the addition of Dario and Alex to the line-up.

It is a tremendous feeling to know that we have this many talented drivers on our team to pick from."

The Daytona 24-hour race is one of the biggest events in the American sporting calendar.