Silly season wrapping up or just getting started?

[DougS]

Lots of news and rumors floating around this weekend.

News: Zackby's and John Wes Townley will "pay for play" next year with RCR.

James Finch the #09 is looking for a driver next year: See Poll http://www.frontstretch.com/board/index.php/topic,3494.0.html

Red Horse Racing is expanding to three teams next year news coming tomorrow night on the speed report.

Rumor: Rick Ren is going to be the General Manager at Kyle Busch Motorsports. Kevin Harvick was reported to tell speed that Rick is under contract though 2010 and will be the crew chief next year at KHI. (I guess Kevin learned that buisness practice from Richard Childress)

Danica mania is running rampant.

What have I missed?

[FS_Amy]

I'm still pissed that guys like Townley with rich daddies and way-below-average talent get great rides over drivers who have earned them in every way.  I know it's the way of the world, but it still sucks.  Townley can't drive his way out of a paper bag and there are good drivers without rides.

I think once whoever signs at Chip n Dale in the No. 1 gets it done, that will be about it.  The Finch ride is a decent NNS ride, but it's still a NNS ride, and a Cup guy will no doubt buy that championship again next year, so given that and Finch's propensity for firing drivers for no apparent reason, that's a decent, but not a premier, ride.  If McMurray and Labonte sign with the 1 and 71 respectively, that leaves Casey Mears and Reed Sorenson to find a ride.  I'd really like to see Casey go back to open wheel-he's a very good open wheel driver.  Sorenson will land a Nationwide ride or something.

Until NASCAR does something that will truly protect the smaller teams, especially in the Nationwide Series, silly season will become less and less significant.

[20forLogano]

Wouldn't be surprised if Brian Ickler is driving for Kyle next year.  Kid has some great talent and Kyle has taken him under his wing.

[skool]

Come on people! We all know that 'silly season' runs 366 days a year!  It never ends.  There is no loyalty in racing anymore. There is only loyalty to the USD!   Cha-ching!

[KurtBuschFan]

Wouldn't be surprised if Brian Ickler is driving for Kyle next year.  Kid has some great talent and Kyle has taken him under his wing.

I'm with you there 20FL...I'm honestly surprised he hasn't been driving anymore for Billy Ballew, but it has been nice to see Almirola getting some seat time.

[scott b]

This year's silly season is a little milder than last year (with launch of Stewart-Haas Racing) or two years ago (Jr mania), but there are still some questions to be settled.

Penske still needs to announce a crew chief to replace Pat Tryson on the #2... the stakes are a little higher since Kurt went to victory lane in Texas.

A few seats still vacant, starting with the #1 and filtering down to the start and parks.

Fate of the #07 team still has not been formally announced, so EGR's still hoping for a sponsor to come to the rescue... but Mears was given permission to shop himself around... and you can assume all the folks behind the scenes are sending out resumes, too.

Could be some lower-level manufacturer changes, since Dodge is down to just the 3 Penske teams.  The #09 which has been split between Chevy and Dodge would seem like a good possibility to go Dodge full time, or Front Row which is hoping to run both the #34 & #37 full time.  If Front Row switches, they'd be leaving their alliance with EGR.  Or maybe TRG and the #70/#71 to Dodge?

The #96 HOF Racing team is leaving their alliance with Yates and will need to partner up with someone.

Aric Almirola suing EGR for breach of contract, so we can assume he won't be back with them... unless he does an Elliott Sadler, and sues his way back into a ride (with the #1).

Mayfield v. NASCAR on the back burner, but to be continued.

Economics tempting some NNW teams to dip their toes in the Cup waters instead in 2010 or 2011?  Braun, Wallace, Jr?  Or, as Amy alluded to, can NASCAR give the small teams without Cup affilation any added incentive to stay in Nationwide and run full-time?

Fate of Dodge in Cup beyond 2010 season... are they really in it for the long term?  (GM is no lock either, but they do have a string of Manufacturer's Championships for return on investment).

And of course there will be more rule changes, and rules interpretations/penalties, to be debated.

[20forLogano]

Addington officially leaving JGR so I am expecting him to join PRS with Kurt.

[scott b]

Also looks like Jamie Mac is now official for the 1 ride, and Bobby Labonte is set to give it a go with the 71 for a full season... so a couple more pieces of the puzzle are in place.

[DougS]

Addington officially leaving JGR so I am expecting him to join PRS with Kurt.

Looks like PRS is definately his landing spot. I'm sure the interview went something along the lines of "I didn't quit because of Kyle's attitude I was removed because of it, I can handle Kurt I've heard it all before."

There is still no offical word whether he'll be on the #2 or the #12


Other news and notes

Kellog's has signed with Rousch racing as primary sponsor for two races on the #99 and an associate sponsor for the entire season.

Okay so the #99 didn't win a single race..Mark won 6....So how does Kellog's fit in with Subway...Subway now open for breakfast? Is Aflac the supplemental insurace of Kellog's group?

I've said it before starting a new team I'd take Carl over Kyle, because he's a marketer's wet dream.

Robby Gordon season goes from bad to worse. Robby's hauler caught on fire on Monday leaveing from Homestead. Luckily no equipment or cars were lost. According to the driver in an interview on Sirius The rear wheel bearing froze and started to smoke as soon as he pulled over the grease in the bearing caught fire heating the aluminum rims and blowing the rear tires. The trailer is still in florida getting repaired and the trailer will have to have it's side and part of the under carriage inspected and replaced. The driver was luckily not seriously injured trying to extinguish the fire. The fire kept re-flashing after several fire extingushers were used. The fire department once on scence had to use water to cool the aluminum rims to prevent further reflashes.


 

[Tyyrus]

Poor Robby should have stayed with the Off Road Series this Year lol ! Did a great job in it ! 

[20forLogano]

When Addington comes over it will be for Kurt, not Brad.

[KurtBuschFan]

When Addington comes over it will be for Kurt, not Brad.

I certainly hope so 20FL.  I would be interested to see what kind of a combination the two would make.  Any griping done by Kurt (and yes he does more than enough on the radio) would probably be easy compared to some of the stuff I've heard Kyle say.

[20forLogano]

I certainly hope so 20FL.  I would be interested to see what kind of a combination the two would make.  Any griping done by Kurt (and yes he does more than enough on the radio) would probably be easy compared to some of the stuff I've heard Kyle say.

Oh, there is no doubt Kurt is a B**** on the radio, he is my 2nd favorite driver but if Addington can handle Kyle he can handle Kurt

[KurtBuschFan]

Oh, there is no doubt Kurt is a B**** on the radio, he is my 2nd favorite driver but if Addington can handle Kyle he can handle Kurt

Though I've got to say that he got a bit better there in the last couple races.  I don't know if that's just because the cars were that much better or if he's truly trying to work on how he is on the radio.

[20forLogano]

Though I've got to say that he got a bit better there in the last couple races.  I don't know if that's just because the cars were that much better or if he's truly trying to work on how he is on the radio.

It was because the cars were running well for Kurt.  When the car is good Kurt is a top 3 talent in the garage.  Problem is when they are not his temper gets in the way of his ability.  Looking at Addington signing this week and they get to work together for the first time at a test in Texas.  Kurt will not lose a step with Addington coming over so look for him to be very good next year