2012 Nascar Silly Season

[Paradise City]

She might be there or there about in a few Nationwide races but flop she will in Cup. Ironically, some of the other tougher ladies in Indycar like Simona might be a better bet to move across but of course they aren't as photogenic.

There was talk of Andretti Autosport moving to Cup. I wonder will Michael pull a rabbit out of his hat.

It's Indycar that'll be interesting. This will be a make or break test for them.

[Axeman444]

Edwards has re-signed with Roush

[Jacques Rabbit]

Been dead quiet on the Red Bull front. Something tells me they aren't going to find the investors/partners they're looking for...

...which means Vickers is either going to need to find some start and park work or do a Sadler and look for one of the scarce Nationwide rides. Right now, the only Cup rides opening up are...uh...none?

I guess Labonte isn't officially signed to the 47 for next year yet. Bowyer's contract isn't finalized, either, but we know he's not going to walk out on the team when he has no where to go. Fourth Gibbs isn't happening, Roush are sticking with their four despite a total lack of sponsorship.

The only talk about Red Bull I've seen is Steve Turner getting involved with Mark Martin. But I see that as speculation, not based on anything Turner's actually been looking to do.

[kurski]

New Canadian team, who wants to drive full time in NASCAR Nationwide Series next year, try to hire Jacques Villeneuve and Andrew Ranger for the 2012 season.

[Axeman444]

Originally Posted by kurski

wants to drive full time in NASCAR Nationwide Series next year, try to hire Jacques Villeneuve

oh no gggrrrrooooooooooooaaaannnnnnn

Originally Posted by kurski

and Andrew Ranger for the 2012 season.

yes good show bring it on

[Jacques Rabbit]

Andrew Ranger (Rahn-jzhay) is just as dirty of a racer as Jacques Villeneuve, and equally arrogant when he opens his mouth (which happens to be less).

It would be nice to have a two-car team of villains, but I'll believe it when the Ontario businessman has a name and a team. I'm sure Go Canada Racing would be disappointed to have a rival to attract Canadian partners...

...kind of like Brendan Gaughan isn't too pleased with Germain Racing's new spin-off team, Germain-Osceola Racing, which will promoted a number of Native American-owned casinos. Meanwhile, Gaughan's father's casinos happen to sponsor his Truck with Germain. One wonders if the 62 will be fielded out of a different team's stable in 2012.

And while talking of Trucks, there was a rumor on SPEED Center that KHI will pull out of the CWTS next year. They may expand their Nationwide efforts in turn, as Austin Dillon will be full-time in NNS next year, in a ride TBD. KHI supply quite a few teams in Truck, though, so that could make a mess of things if it's true they're leaving. I wonder if Hornaday would retire...

[MJ_N_09]

I need to get back into posting in these forums

Anyway, Some Roush sponsorship news. Aflac seems to be leaving or at least scaling back. As a result, Edward's sponsor in NNS, Fastenal, will pick up the tab and sponsor him neat year. Also, UPS will only be on a Roush car for a few races next near. They are scaling back. Ragan will need sponsorship. UPS could either stay on the 6, move to the 99, or find another team altogether. This comes with Crown Royal already known to be leaving. Simply put, the 6 and 17 need sponsors.

As for Danica in Cup, she will have a huge buffer. SHR is intending to make what was gonna be her part time ride, enter all 36 races to gain a top 35 position. Stewart is also trying to court Mark Martin to come over and drive for the new team When Patrick isn't in the seat. Still depending on some funding.

Also, Rockingham will hold a CTS race next year. Awesome. Some NNS news about Penske has him planning 2 full time teams next year. Hornish Jr running one car full time, Keselowski and Klingerman splitting time in the other.

[HJJ]

Kevin Harvick (Right), driver of the No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet, and Team owner Richard Childress (Left) have signed a contract merging KHI's Nationwide teams with Richard Childress Racing. (Photo: Getty Images)

Caption on SpeedTV.com web site w/Harvick & Childress. This is so 2010.

Would think that a Nascarcentric site like Speed would have picked up that Harvick drives the Budweiser car by now.

[FIRE]

[Jacques Rabbit]

Clint Bowyer staying at RCR seems less and less likely, and you have to wonder if the lack of a fourth car is what's allowing them to basically annex KHI's Nationwide operation.

Jack Roush did confirm Bowyer was looking there, and if you recall, there were rumors that UPS were looking at the 33 car. Putting the pieces together, 5 Hour Energy will cover something like twenty-two races, UPS want to do four-to-eight, give Fastenal the one they will do...almost a full packaged, and one that might be agreeable to all involved.

Though Roush would also be well aware of RPM's affairs, and I know the third car there is a big link for Bowyer.

[MJ_N_09]

Originally Posted by Jacques Rabbit

Clint Bowyer staying at RCR seems less and less likely, and you have to wonder if the lack of a fourth car is what's allowing them to basically annex KHI's Nationwide operation.

Jack Roush did confirm Bowyer was looking there, and if you recall, there were rumors that UPS were looking at the 33 car. Putting the pieces together, 5 Hour Energy will cover something like twenty-two races, UPS want to do four-to-eight, give Fastenal the one they will do...almost a full packaged, and one that might be agreeable to all involved.

Though Roush would also be well aware of RPM's affairs, and I know the third car there is a big link for Bowyer.

Yeah. there is a rumor about Bowyer coming to RPM and the #19 returning for 2012. Sponsor would be 5 Hour Eneregy if this is the case.

[GTRMagic]

Has Mr Ambrose done enough to keep his seat in the #9?

Missing the Chase may not be a good sign...

[Jacques Rabbit]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Has Mr Ambrose done enough to keep his seat in the #9?

Missing the Chase may not be a good sign...

His win garnered huge media attention, though. Big story, big exposure for his sponsors. He has a nice following in the States, too, since he's such a cool guy and a hard racer.

I don't think they really had the expectation of making the Chase when the team is undergoing rebuilding and hasn't been competitive in years. He's put up the best numbers of his career, too, so if they hired him on his past ones, he's exceeded that and he still has ten races to score a couple more top fives and tens at tracks like Dover, Texas, and Charlotte where he already has good results this year.

I think they're satisfied, or should be.

One place there isn't much talk: JTG-Daugherty. Their contract with MWR is up, so they could switch suppliers and link up with another team if they want to. Bobby Labonte also has a one-year deal, so he could be a free agent. Labonte did say he will race Nationwide or Truck before start-and-park in Cup, and personally, I think he's at the right age to go do Trucks and try to beat Biffle to the triple crown. He could be competitive there; hell, it would be awesome if Mark Martin goes to drive for Steve Turner full-time in CWTS and battles Labonte and the regulars for a title.

I assume JTG-Daugherty would want to head in a new direction. This year has been their worst. Bobby's past it in Cup, as much as he's my favorite driver, and the MWR equipment...well, if the real cars are so ****, how bad are the hand-me-downs? MWR's also in flux losing personnel and potentially losing NAPA after 2012, so I don't think they're in much of a position to supply further. A lot of JTG-Daugherty's reasoning for being with MWR was that they would get Bayne in 2012, and Truex later, to groom them. Neither driver is with MWR anymore.

So you have to wonder that if they want development guys, do they link up with a Roush and get Stenhouse part-time and split the ride between him and Labonte or someone else, or perhaps try to get a Hendrick tie-in and give Landon Cassill a go, etc?

Having said all that, they'll probably re-up with MWR and Labonte and keep the silly season vaguely dull.

[MJ_N_09]

Originally Posted by Jacques Rabbit

His win garnered huge media attention, though. Big story, big exposure for his sponsors. He has a nice following in the States, too, since he's such a cool guy and a hard racer.

I don't think they really had the expectation of making the Chase when the team is undergoing rebuilding and hasn't been competitive in years. He's put up the best numbers of his career, too, so if they hired him on his past ones, he's exceeded that and he still has ten races to score a couple more top fives and tens at tracks like Dover, Texas, and Charlotte where he already has good results this year.

I think they're satisfied, or should be.

One place there isn't much talk: JTG-Daugherty. Their contract with MWR is up, so they could switch suppliers and link up with another team if they want to. Bobby Labonte also has a one-year deal, so he could be a free agent. Labonte did say he will race Nationwide or Truck before start-and-park in Cup, and personally, I think he's at the right age to go do Trucks and try to beat Biffle to the triple crown. He could be competitive there; hell, it would be awesome if Mark Martin goes to drive for Steve Turner full-time in CWTS and battles Labonte and the regulars for a title.

I assume JTG-Daugherty would want to head in a new direction. This year has been their worst. Bobby's past it in Cup, as much as he's my favorite driver, and the MWR equipment...well, if the real cars are so ****, how bad are the hand-me-downs? MWR's also in flux losing personnel and potentially losing NAPA after 2012, so I don't think they're in much of a position to supply further. A lot of JTG-Daugherty's reasoning for being with MWR was that they would get Bayne in 2012, and Truex later, to groom them. Neither driver is with MWR anymore.

So you have to wonder that if they want development guys, do they link up with a Roush and get Stenhouse part-time and split the ride between him and Labonte or someone else, or perhaps try to get a Hendrick tie-in and give Landon Cassill a go, etc?

Having said all that, they'll probably re-up with MWR and Labonte and keep the silly season vaguely dull.

Sounds about right. Anyway, with what you said about them having expected Bayne to go there, do you think they would hold out for Ryan Truex, or even a longshot, like Travis Pastrana?

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by Jacques Rabbit

His win garnered huge media attention, though. Big story, big exposure for his sponsors. He has a nice following in the States, too, since he's such a cool guy and a hard racer.

I don't think they really had the expectation of making the Chase when the team is undergoing rebuilding and hasn't been competitive in years. He's put up the best numbers of his career, too, so if they hired him on his past ones, he's exceeded that and he still has ten races to score a couple more top fives and tens at tracks like Dover, Texas, and Charlotte where he already has good results this year.

I think they're satisfied, or should be.

You would hope so, but when the teammate is several spots ahead of Mr Ambrose on the scoreboard, not sure how to improve. Mr Ambrose isnt great on many of the ovals... how do you fix that? Strategy is one piece that doesnt work sometimes, but equally qualifying is not wonderful everywhere either...

[Axeman444]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

You would hope so, but when the teammate is several spots ahead of Mr Ambrose on the scoreboard, not sure how to improve. Mr Ambrose isnt great on many of the ovals... how do you fix that? Strategy is one piece that doesnt work sometimes, but equally qualifying is not wonderful everywhere either...

with the length of races, apart from avoiding any early bingles, with the exception of a few tracks that are hard to pass on qualifying means diddly squat

[MJ_N_09]

A good result of KHI being acquired by RCR is that the #3 is back for the Nationwide series next year. Austin Dillon moves to this series full time, in the #3 for Childress, alongside the #2 and #33. Ty Dillon takes over the #3 truck next year.

[gomick]

Ambrose signed a 3 year deal at RPM i thought - he aint going nowhere... AJ has been good, 13th in points, just hasnt had the bad,bad days like Marcos who is 20th in points. Stilll 10 races to go where Ambrose can improve his points position...

[sime1070]

Whilst sitting in 20th Ambrose is only 21 points out of 16th so it is completely reasonable to think that he could end up mid teens plus the Watkins Glen win... I reckon RPM should be pretty happy with that. I also reckon AJ would swap that scenario still looking for his first win...
Bowyer going to RPM can only help Marcos and AJ in my humble opinion, hopefully it happens!
Cheers,
Simon

[Paradise City]

RPM isn't doing too badly given that they are an organisation in turmoil.

Ambrose is a very personable, sponsor-cozy guy and as it is he's gauranteed to be a true contender for the win at at least two tracks a year. It wouldn't make much sense to dislodge him.

[MJ_N_09]

Clint Bowyer to Michael Waltrip Racing w/ 5 Hour Energy as the sponsor. Official announcement to come this weekend.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by MJ_N_09

Clint Bowyer to Michael Waltrip Racing w/ 5 Hour Energy as the sponsor. Official announcement to come this weekend.

As an extra car, or replacing someone?

[MJ_N_09]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

As an extra car, or replacing someone?

3rd Car, No idea what the Number will be....yet.

[MJ_N_09]

Originally Posted by Jacques Rabbit

One place there isn't much talk: JTG-Daugherty. Their contract with MWR is up, so they could switch suppliers and link up with another team if they want to. Bobby Labonte also has a one-year deal, so he could be a free agent. Labonte did say he will race Nationwide or Truck before start-and-park in Cup, and personally, I think he's at the right age to go do Trucks and try to beat Biffle to the triple crown. He could be competitive there; hell, it would be awesome if Mark Martin goes to drive for Steve Turner full-time in CWTS and battles Labonte and the regulars for a title.

I assume JTG-Daugherty would want to head in a new direction. This year has been their worst. Bobby's past it in Cup, as much as he's my favorite driver, and the MWR equipment...well, if the real cars are so ****, how bad are the hand-me-downs? MWR's also in flux losing personnel and potentially losing NAPA after 2012, so I don't think they're in much of a position to supply further. A lot of JTG-Daugherty's reasoning for being with MWR was that they would get Bayne in 2012, and Truex later, to groom them. Neither driver is with MWR anymore.

So you have to wonder that if they want development guys, do they link up with a Roush and get Stenhouse part-time and split the ride between him and Labonte or someone else, or perhaps try to get a Hendrick tie-in and give Landon Cassill a go, etc?

Having said all that, they'll probably re-up with MWR and Labonte and keep the silly season vaguely dull.

Jayski has some info that Labonte is gonna stay at JTG, but looking to end ties with MWR. Speaking of MWR, looks like no formal announcement yet about the new team for Bowyer, as things aren't finalized.

[FIRE]

Surprised to see KHI leaving trucks. I thought they were well funded and building trucks for other Chevy teams.


Thanks to Ambrose JTG was secured of lot of attention at the road courses. This season they got not much attention.