Silly Season part 2!!!!

[MJ_N_09]

This is how it looks for Penske and 2011:

#2 Keselowski
#12 Hornish Jr (needs sponsorship, Mobil 1 forced to leave, not sure if Verizon comes back)
#22 Kurt Busch

Kasey Kahne also confirmed to replace Mark Martin in 2012.

[Matt]

Exclamation points!

[fieldodreams79]

Kurt Busch signs a 5 year deal at Penske with the Shell/Penzoil sponsored #22 and wants to be there longer.

[MJ_N_09]

Another rumor is that Penske could run 4 teams, with Allgaier in the 12 or 77 part or full time next year. No word if Verizon will be back yet.


Because off all this news, Jayski has already begun work on the 2011 team chart. Harvick bringing KHI to cup and driving the car? Menard to RCR? RPM to only 2 cars??????????? Who knows?

http://jayski.com/pages/2011teams.htm

[MJ_N_09]

Miccosukee may be to blame, but James Finch is giving up his team:

Phoenix Racing team for sale: James Finch, the defending winner owner [#09 Chevy in Cup, #1 Chevy in NNS] of this weekend's Sprint Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway, is putting his Phoenix Racing operation up for sale. For a price, the new owner would acquire a 70,000 sq. ft. building complete with 35 race cars, all the machinery and two houses on nine acres in Spartanburg, S.C. "I've had a real good time," Finch said. "But it's time to do something else. Offer me a fair price  then give me half and we'll have a deal." Finch fielded cars for a variety of drivers in NASCAR's Cup and Nationwide Series as well as ARCA. He won 12 NNS races with six different drivers on nine different tracks. But his most coveted win came at Talladega last year as Finch provided rookie Brad Keselowski with an opportunity to earn his first Sprint Cup victory. Finch took his entire share of the $312, 075 purse and offered it to Keselowski for his parents, lifelong racers who campaigned in ARCA and NASCAR with their family-owned operation. Keselowski made his NASCAR debut behind the wheel of the K Automotive Ford truck in 2004 at Martinsville. "I did some cool things for my parents with that," Keselowski added. "That was something I was proud to be able to do  to help them out financially because they're going through some hard times. It's cool to be able to be there for them." James Buescher is Finch's latest protégé. The 20-year-old from Plano, Texas, finished the last two races of the season for Finch in the NNS and is currently 19th in the point standings. His best finish this season was eighth at Daytona.(FoxSports)(4-24-2010)

[MJ_N_09]

Someone in RCR is a liar........apparently there aren't any problems between Harvick and Childress.

UPDATE: Kevin Harvick says he doesn't know where he'll drive next season, but it's fair to say he will remain with Chevrolet. Harvick said Friday at Talladega Superspeedway that he's had "many, many, many" conversations with team owner Richard Childress about staying with Richard Childress Racing when his contract expires after this season. He did not elaborate when asked if he's had conversations with other owners, such as Chevrolet owner Tony Stewart, with whom he reportedly was linked last season. But Harvick made it clear he's burnt no bridges with RCR, where he has driven in the Sprint Cup series since replacing the late Dale Earnhardt in 2001. He also made it clear that, because he uses Chevrolet with his Nationwide and Truck Series organization, he doesn't plan to switch manufacturers. "Richard Childress and myself, we've got a great relationship," said Harvick, who is fourth in points after missing the Chase last season. "We've been talking about a lot of things for several months. It's not anything different than we normally do at this time. The cars are running well. Everybody is communicating well. I don't know what else to say other than Richard and I have had many, many, many conversations over the last several months. What that means? Right now I'm driving the #29 car." Harvick took issue Thursday on Twitter about stories involving sources on his future [see post above]. Asked to clarify his future, he said: "If you're going to quote a source, quote their name. If they're too chicken to give their name, don't put their name in the paper. Anonymous sources are crap."(ESPN)(4-23-2010)

[MJ_N_09]

<oops>

[MJ_N_09]

Looking at the #36 on the entry list, we could end up with another S&Per. No driver or sponsor on the car at this point.

[MJ_N_09]

Penske plans to keep Hornish and move him to the 12 (?). Waiting on sponsorship.

Penske says Hornish will be back in 2011: Penske Racing owner Roger Penske said he plans to have Sam Hornish Jr. return to the organization's Sprint Cup stable in 2011. A three-time Indy Racing League champion, Hornish is in his third full season in the series and the last year of his contract. To re-sign Hornish, Penske would need to find a sponsor. Mobil, which sponsors Hornish, is looking for another team to sponsor after Penske signed a deal with Shell/Pennzoil to sponsor driver Kurt Busch. "Our plan is to run three cars next year and Sam is in that program," Penske said. "We're planning on it. & Sam has been with us, he won the Indy 500 with us, he came over here, he's endured and he's run better than his points position."(SceneDaily)(4-26-2010)

[MJ_N_09]

Originally Posted by MJ_N_09

Looking at the #36 on the entry list, we could end up with another S&Per. No driver or sponsor on the car at this point.

Update to this team; Mears is the new driver. Also, Gunselman Motorsports will make their first start of 2010 at Richmond (this weekend) with driver Tony Raines.

[MarcosAmbroseFan]

in a TOYOTA not a Ford.

[MJ_N_09]

Cook leaves #46 team?: per his Facebook page, Terry Cook announced - "Terry Cook, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year contender, is no longer with Whitney Motorsports effective immediately. Terry, who has been serving as Team Manager/ Driver, was uncomfortable with the direction that the team was heading towards and opted to leave the team." No word who will drive the #46 Dodge at Darlington. Nothing mentioned [when this was posted] on whitneymotorsports.com or terrycook.com but confirms it on Whitney Motorsports Facebook page.(5-3-2010)

Now Terry, I need to ask you, why? You were one of the top drivers in Trucks, why did you throw it all away to join some cup team that S&Ps anyway, then leave?

[MJ_N_09]

E15 Fuel in 2011?: When NASCAR takes the green flag in 2011, race cars are expected to be fueled by E15  a mixture of 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline. Hendrick Motorsports is already testing the fuel and Roush Yates engines will start development with E15 in the next few weeks. According to RYE co-owner Doug Yates, the conversion is important to the sport. "Change is scary, but it's exciting as well," Yates said. "We have to keep up with the changes in the world to stay relevant. We need to be moving ahead." Although fuel injection remains on the drawing board for 2011,Yates agrees with other engine gurus in the garage that the fuel issue must take priority. "Fuel injection is in our future, but it wasn't as simple," Yates said. "It has to be fair for every manufacturer. Ethanol will be first because they want it in all three series. So it would have to work for carburetor as well as fuel injection." Although NASCAR stepped up discussion on the introduction of E15 fuels nine months ago, manufacturers disagree on the time frame of bringing the program to fruition. While one engine builder suggested six months, another suggested that E15 could be used sometime in the next 16 races  just not during the title-deciding Chase for the Sprint Cup. In 2003, NASCAR inked a 10-year deal with Sunoco to be the official fuel supplier for the sport. Despite inquiries to Sunoco a week ago regarding the switch to E15, FOXSports.com has not received a response. One possible ethanol partner appears to be POET ethanol products of Wichita, Kan. POET gained attention last week when President Barack Obama visited the company's Macon, Mo. plant.(FoxSports)(5-3-2010)

[Axeman444]

the V8's in Oz run fine on E85, why stop at 15%??

[cds_uk]

Yeley gets the #46 for a couple of races, i must admit i like JJ, hope he can qualify it at least.

[MJ_N_09]

Harvick is expected to resign to RCR after all those fake rumors. Mobil 1 and Budweiser are possible sponsors for next year.

Childress expects to sign Harvick by end of month: Richard Childress expects to have Sprint Cup points leader #29-Kevin Harvick signed to a new deal by the Coca-Cola 600 at the end of the month. "Yeah, we're pretty far down the road," the owner of Richard Childress Racing said of negotiations before Friday's Cup practice at Darlington Raceway. "We've still got to get a few things finalized, but we're looking forward to getting everything done by Charlotte or before Charlotte." Harvick was not immediately available for comment, but did say in a recent radio interview that he hoped to have a deal in place soon. Sponsorship is among the details to be finalized. Shell/Pennzoil announced last month it would leave Harvick after this season and move to the #22 car of Kurt Busch at Penske Racing in 2011. Asked if Budweiser or Mobile I, big-name sponsors whose current deals are up, might be on the list, Childress said, "There are sponsors that are not even in the sport that are interested."(ESPN.com)(5-7-2010)

[FIRE]

What other options has he? I don't see him leaving Chevy so that means a 3rd Stewart-Haas car or his own operation moves to Cup. Probably re-signing at RCR is the best option.

[FIRE]

Old Spice leaves Stewart-Haas

[Axeman444]

so the question is are Stewart and Kahne on speaking terms now?

[MJ_N_09]

Waltrip plans to run the July Daytona race. This time, in the 15, his third different number and scheme this year (51 and 55 were other numbers he ran this year).

http://jayski.com/schemes/2010/51cup.htm Scheme here looks very similar to when he was with DEI.

Also, looks like the 32 and 64 (S&Ps) are here for the remainder of the season.

[MJ_N_09]

Keyed up is skipping Charlotte and is on hiatus until Sponsorship comes.

Keyed Up Motorsports to skip Charlotte races: Keyed-Up Motorsports owner, Raymond Key, announced that the #90 Chevy will go on hiatus until funding is secured. The team has reduced staff but is still in operation, and will not participate in the All-Star Event weekend or the Coca-Cola 600 event as previously announced. "We look forward to returning to the schedule," stated owner Raymond Key. "At this time we are taking a break from the schedule and working on securing sponsorship for future races." Keyed-Up has not participated in an event since the Phoenix race in April, where driver Scott Riggs finished 28th. Riggs maintained a top-25 position with three laps to go when a right front tire blew, causing the final caution of the night. "I was very happy with Scott's performance at Phoenix," added Key, "and I welcome him back to the drivers' seat when we return to the schedule." The team will continue its efforts in securing a sponsor and will not "start and park" for funding.(Keyed-Up Motorsports)(5-12-2010)

[MJ_N_09]

Get well soon Vickers....

#83-Brian Vickers was being treated Thursday for an undisclosed medical condition that will prevent him from racing this weekend at Dover International Speedway. Red Bull Racing said Vickers was hospitalized Wednesday night and being held for further testing. The team did not reveal where he was hospitalized, although Vickers was scheduled to visit Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., on Thursday and tour the Capitol with U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings. Red Bull said Casey Mears will replace Vickers this weekend in the #83 Toyota. "It is unfortunate that I will not be able to participate in the Dover race," Vickers said in a statement. "Casey is a good friend of mine, and I know he will do his best for the #83 team this weekend." Red Bull general manager Jay Frye called Vickers' illness a "minor setback."
"Our main concern right now is with Brian and his health and recovery," Frye said. "All things are looking good at the moment, this is just a minor setback. We appreciate Casey filling in this weekend and know he will represent the team well." He's currently ranked 20th in the standings, but only 160 points out of the 12th Chase qualifying position. Missing a start almost certainly will make it impossible for Vickers to make the Chase this season.(Associated Press/ESPN)(5-13-2010)

In return, Sauter will sub for Mears in the #36 TBR Chevy.

[MJ_N_09]

The #71 confirmed that it will Start and Park without sponsorship, like at Dover:

TRG needs sponsorship, will start-and-park if needed: TRG Motorsports had no sponsor for the Autism Speaks 400 on Sunday at Dover International Speedway and 2000 Sprint Cup champion Bobby Labonte parked after 65 laps. The team needs sponsorship for several future races this season as well, team executive vice president Tortey Galida said before the race. Sponsor TaxSlayer.com was a 12-race primary deal and most of its races were early in the year to coincide with tax season. Team owner Kevin Buckler's Adobe Road Winery is another sponsor. "We're still looking for partners," Galida said prior to the Autism Speaks 400. "TaxSlayer has been a great partner for us this year but they're not on for the full season. We're getting to the point where we've got to be strategic with how we use our resources and continue to run as well as we can and attract more sponsorship. We've had tons of leads, lots of great meetings but just haven't been able to close [with] anybody. We think we're close on a couple of things. We're at a point now where we've got to start [getting sponsors] pretty quickly." TRG has alliances with several organizations. It uses a pit crew provided by Stewart-Haas Racing. It has a strategic alliance with Richard Childress Racing as it uses RCR cars and chassis. The team plans to show up for every race, Galida said, and not do a program such as the Wood Brothers, which comes to select races as a fully funded car. Labonte, who has a spot in the Sprint All-Star Race, will run the full event next week with sponsorship from TaxSlayer.com.(SceneDaily)(5-17-2010)

[R59]

I think it's a shame that teams are forced to go S&P. Though the #87's been doing that for almost two seasons now.

[MJ_N_09]

Not a big surprise:

Richard Childress Racing and Kevin Harvick have signed a multi-year contract extension for the 2007 Daytona 500 winner to continue his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driving career with the 12-time NASCAR championship-winning organization. The announcement was made today in the infield media center at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "I'm happy to be able to continue my relationship with Richard and RCR because, over the last 10 years, we've been through a lot together," said Harvick. "Being able to put this piece of the puzzle in place couldn't have come at a better time for me and this team because we can focus solely on winning this championship."
"Kevin has been a big part of RCR for more than a decade now so it's good to know our relationship will continue for years to come," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "The #29 Shell-Pennzoil team is leading the points and really working very well together this season. This new contract should only help build on their momentum."(RCR)(5-22-2010)