Silly Season 2020

FWIW, there are other rumors floating around that RPM will be selling the charter to RCR (#31 Tyler Reddick) and going to a part-time status under the Petty Enterprises name. I hope that's not the case, but unless there is a solid source of funding coming on board, I'm not sure prolonging this as it is now is good for anyone involved.

Or maybe they just merge into RCR since they are already working out of the RCR shop.
 
Bell is going to be the big fish this off season unless he gets a seat early. The longer it drags on I would think he has jumped ship or there are two teams involved.

100% he will be in a Toyota next. No, make that 1000%.
 
I'm surprised that Blaney even made that comment being that he has only driven a sprint a few times.

I absolutely love the way Mr. Penske runs his ship. I really do. There isn't anybody on that team bigger than Mr. Penske. You want to play with your dirt car, go somewhere else. I feel like drivers would line up to drive for him. When I was going to the CART races in Portland, you knew when he was walking through the paddock. The man has a presence.
 
Hi Guys-

I’m Lance Brown Vice President, marketing and communications at Richard Petty Motorsports, I’m not positive where this communication/rumor started or who started it, but I can assure you of a few things. There are no plans to change the name of the organization nor will be selling any of our charters. Sorry for the buzz kill... Bubba is our guy and will be our guy for a long time to come.

Vote Bubba into the All-Star race!

Bubba Wallace Fan Vote

Lance
 
So they're denying it. I trust what my own eyes see: Bubba struggling to get through press conferences, admitting to being in a "dark place"... But the biggest of all was his comment on the twitter video where he asked for All Star votes. "Getting a shot at a million dollars would be nice. I don't think it would help, but it's cool" or something to that effect. I'm paraphrasing.
 
So they're denying it. I trust what my own eyes see: Bubba struggling to get through press conferences, admitting to being in a "dark place"... But the biggest of all was his comment on the twitter video where he asked for All Star votes. "Getting a shot at a million dollars would be nice. I don't think it would help, but it's cool" or something to that effect. I'm paraphrasing.
It is possible that Bubba's "dark place" has nothing to do with racing. If it is depression, some of the most successful and popular people have had to deal with this. Depression does not care if you have $100 million in the bank, have won 50 cup races, have thousands of supporters and family and friends that deeply care for you.Good for him to have the courage to make this type of statement.
 
In all seriousness, who then gets the boot? Jones? I can't see Leavine adding a second unless TRD dumps a TON of money in to make them competitive. Bell is the biggest "can't miss" prospect in a long time and will command a top seat (I would think).

Nobody. LRF adds a second car and/or TRD adds a new team. You might see some shifting from JGR to LFR, but nobody goes. By shifting, I think you might see Bell accommodated with a JGR ride while Jones or Hamlin (probably not) is offered the LFR piece. TRD will do what they need to do to float LFR. Lots of moving pieces to get a new team, but I think it is going to happen.
 
Nobody. LRF adds a second car and/or TRD adds a new team. You might see some shifting from JGR to LFR, but nobody goes. By shifting, I think you might see Bell accommodated with a JGR ride while Jones or Hamlin (probably not) is offered the LFR piece. TRD will do what they need to do to float LFR. Lots of moving pieces to get a new team, but I think it is going to happen.
Seems plausible. Thanks.
 
FRR was destroyed off track, not on. Holy Joe and his disciples couldn't wait after getting beat. Toyota had a front row seat and may have given Joe the nod -- so all this other dick-dance about how Toyota wants to competitively expand after the FRR assassination is crap analysis.
 
FRR was destroyed off track, not on. Holy Joe and his disciples couldn't wait after getting beat. Toyota had a front row seat and may have given Joe the nod -- so all this other dick-dance about how Toyota wants to competitively expand after the FRR assassination is crap analysis.
Here's the thing, FRR could have gone back to Chevrolet or talked to Ford. I believe Visser when he said he couldnt afford it anymore.
 
Here's the thing, FRR could have gone back to Chevrolet or talked to Ford. I believe Visser when he said he couldnt afford it anymore.

My thoughts. It was typical a typical corporate hatchet job. The beancounters came up with a figure about how much it was costing to run 6 cars. They couldn't get rid of the home team JGR, so they figured if Barney can come up with this higher price we can keep him. Barney said the hell with it I'm done anyway. Toyota scooped up the leftovers Truex and Pearn and as long as we are guessing, are going to dump all of their resources into the smaller 4 car team with factory leftovers and overruns going to LFR. So far that is what it is. How will they make room for Bell? 1. come up with a whole racing team and cars? or 2. boot one from Gibbs. Hamlin?, Jones? or 3 Convince Bell that staying in Xfinity for another year is the best thing for him.
 
My thoughts. It was typical a typical corporate hatchet job. The beancounters came up with a figure about how much it was costing to run 6 cars. They couldn't get rid of the home team JGR, so they figured if Barney can come up with this higher price we can keep him. Barney said the hell with it I'm done anyway. Toyota scooped up the leftovers Truex and Pearn and as long as we are guessing, are going to dump all of their resources into the smaller 4 car team with factory leftovers and overruns going to LFR. So far that is what it is. How will they make room for Bell? 1. come up with a whole racing team and cars? or 2. boot one from Gibbs. Hamlin?, Jones? or 3 Convince Bell that staying in Xfinity for another year is the best thing for him.
Probably Bell over to LFR for a 2 car team.
 
Probably Bell over to LFR for a 2 car team.

I could see JGR moving Hamlin over to LFR to "provide veteran leadership" or something along those lines. If Fedex stays with him it will provide a nice financial boost to that team that could get a 2nd car off the ground.
 
Does anybody REALLY think Bell would be happy getting assigned to the "B" team? He may never again have the kind of leverage he has right now, so would YOU settle for anything less than a top tier ride? Unless I was promised in writing the 11 or the 20 car within X amount of time (two years or less) there is no way I would take the LFR deal.
 
I could see JGR moving Hamlin over to LFR to "provide veteran leadership" or something along those lines. If Fedex stays with him it will provide a nice financial boost to that team that could get a 2nd car off the ground.
Gibbs isnt gonna let that FEDEX money go, no sir.
 
Does anybody REALLY think Bell would be happy getting assigned to the "B" team? He may never again have the kind of leverage he has right now, so would YOU settle for anything less than a top tier ride? Unless I was promised in writing the 11 or the 20 car within X amount of time (two years or less) there is no way I would take the LFR deal.

Bell would slap leather and go somewhere else. Either somebody has to go, they offer him stupid money to stay in Xfinity, or he is gone would be my guess.
 
Does anybody REALLY think Bell would be happy getting assigned to the "B" team? He may never again have the kind of leverage he has right now, so would YOU settle for anything less than a top tier ride? Unless I was promised in writing the 11 or the 20 car within X amount of time (two years or less) there is no way I would take the LFR deal.
Jones did it too. Toyota isnt letting Bell go, they have a boat load of money invested in him.
 
Jones did it too. Toyota isnt letting Bell go, they have a boat load of money invested in him.
you can't possibly believe Bell would go to LFR, that's insane. They would have kept Barney afloat if that was the case. They knew what they had last year and the year before with Bell.
 
Does anybody REALLY think Bell would be happy getting assigned to the "B" team? He may never again have the kind of leverage he has right now, so would YOU settle for anything less than a top tier ride? Unless I was promised in writing the 11 or the 20 car within X amount of time (two years or less) there is no way I would take the LFR deal.
I think if he is in a similar position Blaney was with the Wood Brothers that he might consider that. I doubt Toyota wants to lose him and he seems to be pretty loyal too.
 
you can't possibly believe Bell would go to LFR, that's insane. They would have kept Barney afloat if that was the case. They knew what they had last year and the year before with Bell.
You cant keep Barney afloat if he doesnt want to be there and yes I think Bell would go for 1 year. Hamlins contract runs through 2020
 
I guess anything's possible, that's why they call it silly season.
Hell its all speculation anyway right? It will probably be something none of us see coming, Truex wins 2019 Title announces Retirement!
 
Just read the craziest rumor EVER. Two iconic names. A new manufacturer. CRAZY.

I'm not holding my breath, but wow if it happens...
 
Just like he wouldn't let that Arris money go?

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they thought they could keep it AND get rid of Suarez. Underestimated that bunch. Anybody notice the B.S. about Kenseth having sponsor problems when the Jones boy is driving the bright yellow DeWalt car for the last two years?
 
they could possibly have another OEM lined up for the 2021 car when it comes out. Why would they be jumping thru hoops for another version car that isn't saving anybody money at first to change over. If they wanted to save money for everybody they would keep most of it the same IMO.
 
Just like he wouldn't let that Arris money go?

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One difference is that Truex brought some sponsorship with him to help offset the Arris loss AND as a popular recent champion, they probably felt they could fairly easily fill in the gaps. FedEx is pretty much the last of the full season sponsors, much harder to replace, especially if the driver is a rookie, even a "can't miss'" rookie.
 
Just like he wouldn't let that Arris money go?

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Now that I thought more about it I believe Arris was contracted with Gibbs and not Suarez, so Arris had to pay to get out of the contract and if Im not mistaken they only are sponsoring the 41 for maybe half a season? I know they arent on the car every week.
 
Does anybody REALLY think Bell would be happy getting assigned to the "B" team? He may never again have the kind of leverage he has right now, so would YOU settle for anything less than a top tier ride? Unless I was promised in writing the 11 or the 20 car within X amount of time (two years or less) there is no way I would take the LFR deal.

Well he's not going to stay in Xfinity another year and the 77 car with Jones was NOT a B team. If there's any B team or R&D team it's whatever car Matt D. is in will get the scraps at LFR.

I cant believe yall think hes just gonna sit around in Xfinity another year or think LFR isn't gonna get serious technical support with Bell. They've already improved with Matt and he's bringing minimal sponsorship compared to what Bell will bring to the table.
 
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