2021 Silly Season

I haven't heard anything around corey lajoie but my feeling is he goes and runs for kaulig racing or JRM next year full time.

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I agree that the fit between Larson and SHR "feels right and makes more sense" but Rick Hendrick moving Alex Bowman to the Ally-sponsored 48 makes me think HMS will sign Larson.

The Bowman move to the 48 makes logical sense under two scenarios... (1) HMS will downsize to three cars and the 48 has a great sponsor but the 88 doesn't... or (2) Ally Bank objects to HMS's new hire but is OK with Bowman. I believe Rick Hendrick let the cat out of the bag that he has a new driver and will announce it soon, so scenario (1) is ruled out. Under scenario (2), Larson is the most "controversial" new hire. If it was Erik Jones... well, what could make Ally object to That Jones Boy? So it must be Larson. Just my $0.02.

Also, do you remember Adam Stern writing that Steve Phelps and Jim Campbell and Kyle Larson all visited the Urban Youth Racing School in Philadelphia together? Jim Campbell = Chevy.

This. If Hendrick was just signing Erik Jones there would be no reason to move Bowman from the 88 to the 48. Bowman has already built a brand (albeit a small one) in the 88.

The only reason that makes sense is if they are hiring someone that Ally Bank can't get behind and the only one that fits that bill is Larson.
 
I agree that the fit between Larson and SHR "feels right and makes more sense" but Rick Hendrick moving Alex Bowman to the Ally-sponsored 48 makes me think HMS will sign Larson.

The Bowman move to the 48 makes logical sense under two scenarios... (1) HMS will downsize to three cars and the 48 has a great sponsor but the 88 doesn't... or (2) Ally Bank objects to HMS's new hire but is OK with Bowman. I believe Rick Hendrick let the cat out of the bag that he has a new driver and will announce it soon, so scenario (1) is ruled out. Under scenario (2), Larson is the most "controversial" new hire. If it was Erik Jones... well, what could make Ally object to That Jones Boy? So it must be Larson. Just my $0.02.

Also, do you remember Adam Stern writing that Steve Phelps and Jim Campbell and Kyle Larson all visited the Urban Youth Racing School in Philadelphia together? Jim Campbell = Chevy.

Good points, and could be exactly what is happening, but I'm not sure it's that clear-cut. Stern's tweet and article don't explicitly state that the trio of Phelps, Campbell, and Larson were there together, though that is his implication. However, Larson's involvement with the school apparently predates this year, and if NASCAR is looking to take a greater role with them generally, it is possible that it's not all quite so coordinated.

Time will tell. I'm having trouble getting a read on the timing of announcements with the SHR #14 or the Hendrick teams' situations. Bowyer's announcement had an odd feel to me if it's just the result of internal pressure to get Briscoe bumped up.

Erik Jones sure sounds confident about his future here if he's landing in a lower tier ride such as the #43.



Honestly I have no idea. Different aspects suggest different outcomes.
 
Good points, and could be exactly what is happening, but I'm not sure it's that clear-cut. Stern's tweet and article don't explicitly state that the trio of Phelps, Campbell, and Larson were there together, though that is his implication. However, Larson's involvement with the school apparently predates this year, and if NASCAR is looking to take a greater role with them generally, it is possible that it's not all quite so coordinated.

Time will tell. I'm having trouble getting a read on the timing of announcements with the SHR #14 or the Hendrick teams' situations. Bowyer's announcement had an odd feel to me if it's just the result of internal pressure to get Briscoe bumped up.

Erik Jones sure sounds confident about his future here if he's landing in a lower tier ride such as the #43.



Honestly I have no idea. Different aspects suggest different outcomes.

Jones to the 43 would be the best thing to happen to RPM since Adam Petty
 
I haven't heard anything around corey lajoie but my feeling is he goes and runs for kaulig racing or JRM next year full time.

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Corey touched on this last week on his Podcast/radio show. He seemed very confident he’d have a cup ride and hopeful to announce it this week. He also seems to get back into Xfinity as well.
 
BUT RPM isn't Richards Team is it? His name, his number, NOT his money and he doesn't control it.
Richard Petty sold the team years ago, but when it was in danger of disappearing altogether, he joined with Andy Murstein to re-purchase the team and keep it going. The King doesn't own a controlling interest, but he is a minority co-owner of the team. He is also actively involved at the track and elsewhere (pre-COVID). Bubba Wallace and Drew Blickensderfer among others have been forthcoming about that.

Richard Petty is more involved with RPM than Leonard Wood is involved with Wood Brothers Racing... but Leonard remains the guiding light of that team. So I really don't get what point you're trying to make.
 
Jones to the 43 would be the best thing to happen to RPM since Adam Petty
With what money?

Team is going to be starting over, again. What Bubba has done for the organization has been great. I feel Jones is the better driver, but he's walking into a raw deal like Bubba did back in 2018.

I'm not expecting much, especially if Kraft and Baxter walk as well. It's going to be an uphill battle again for RPM. Jones will do well for them if he signs there, but it's not going to be an easy task.
 
I really want no part of Erik taking over the 43, his career in Cup would be hindered at the end of that deal. This isnt the Petty Enterprises even from the 2000's
Neither do I.

Crazy ripples from Carl Edwards retiring and Furniture Row folding. Toyota was planning to move forward with 6 seats and it became 4 real quick.
Man and MWR closing was huge as well. Those were two solid top 15 cars every week. Could you imagine Mikey and Kauffman getting some sort of sponsorship to replace Aaron's and 5-Hour?

That would have been huge.
 
MWR closing was huge as well. Those were two solid top 15 cars every week. Could you imagine Mikey and Kauffman getting some sort of sponsorship to replace Aaron's and 5-Hour?

That would have been huge.

Perhaps an ointment manufacturer could have stepped into the breach.

Missed opportunity.
 
Richard Petty sold the team years ago, but when it was in danger of disappearing altogether, he joined with Andy Murstein to re-purchase the team and keep it going. The King doesn't own a controlling interest, but he is a minority co-owner of the team. He is also actively involved at the track and elsewhere (pre-COVID). Bubba Wallace and Drew Blickensderfer among others have been forthcoming about that.

Richard Petty is more involved with RPM than Leonard Wood is involved with Wood Brothers Racing... but Leonard remains the guiding light of that team. So I really don't get what point you're trying to make.

And I have no idea what this means

 
Richard Petty sold the team years ago, but when it was in danger of disappearing altogether, he joined with Andy Murstein to re-purchase the team and keep it going. The King doesn't own a controlling interest, but he is a minority co-owner of the team. He is also actively involved at the track and elsewhere (pre-COVID). Bubba Wallace and Drew Blickensderfer among others have been forthcoming about that.

Richard Petty is more involved with RPM than Leonard Wood is involved with Wood Brothers Racing... but Leonard remains the guiding light of that team. So I really don't get what point you're trying to make.
Thank you for correcting me, I was NOT aware that Richard was a minority owner again.
Some one made a comment it would be nice the see Petty Enterprises become relevant again thus my comment it would not be his team.
As for the Wood Bros. it is not uncommon for future generation to take over and run a business. I don't know what will happen to this team when Leonard is gone as far as Ford is concerned. Time will tell but maybe not for me.
 
Erik Jones has been having a solid playoff stretch despite not being a participant - 4th, 22nd, 3rd, 8th, 2nd, 3rd. Logano and Suarez were fortunate enough to wind up at Penske and SHR after they got the boot, and Erik might be staring down options at RPM and JTG-Daugherty. I’d be disappointed if that’s where he wound up.
 
Erik Jones has been having a solid playoff stretch despite not being a participant - 4th, 22nd, 3rd, 8th, 2nd, 3rd. Logano and Suarez were fortunate enough to wind up at Penske and SHR after they got the boot, and Erik might be staring down options at RPM and JTG-Daugherty. I’d be disappointed if that’s where he wound up.
This man has what like 35 or 36 top 5s and he's struggling for a ride.

Sponsorship drives so much these days, it's a shame it's even gotten to this point. Erik has no sponsors to speak of outside of Reeser's? Or is that a JGR sponsor as well?
 
I think most of the smart money believes it usually takes 4 or 5 years at least for a Cup driver to get up to speed as a driver. Apparently Toyota doesn't think so. Jones is finishing his 4th full time year in cup. Jones has been impressive this year despite being a non family lame duck at Gibbs.
 
Jordan Bianchi and Jeff Gluck did a Q&A session with subscribers of The Athletic yesterday. [Bianchi is the real journalist of the pair, frequently citing sources, etc. Gluck is more of an "opinion columnist," and rarely seems to offer factual information that you didn't already know.] Here is what they said about silly season...

Kyle Larson very likely to the HMS #88-5-25 car, but the announcement could be delayed until after Phoenix.

Chase Briscoe to the #14, anything else would be "a shock."

Ryan Preece has a good chance to remain in the #37 for JTG-Daugherty.

Erik Jones is the leading candidate for the 43, but Ty Dillon could also be in the mix. Bianchi says, "I've been told Jones is in serious negotiations with Richard Petty Motorsports, but I have not yet been able to confirm this."

Ty Dillon might wind up at RCR... in Xfinity. But his preferred route is cup series in a third-party team, such as Petty or elsewhere. Don't expect RCR to field a cup car for him as they don't have the sponsorship.

Nothing to report on Corey LaJoie.

Nothing to report on Front Row Motorsports or Go-FAS.
 
I'll be bummed if Jones ends up in the 43, what a downgrade

Agree it would be that for him, but what an upgrade for RPM to get Jones (if it turns out that way). No offense to Wallace but Jones is the far better driver. That Jones boy would have been the most sought after free agent in a "typical" year. With Larson looming, the insane performance of Briscoe and some other commitments made that were already in the works (Chastain), Jones slides back in the pool despite one of his strongest seasons.
 
Jones going to the 43 could be tough in general on on his Cup career. My point being, makes it tough for him to really succeed or even get a better ride later in this series moving forward...

sucks he and his team didnt really get warmed up until really the last couple months. Imagine if he was racking up top 5 like this all season long...
 
Agree it would be that for him, but what an upgrade for RPM to get Jones (if it turns out that way). No offense to Wallace but Jones is the far better driver. That Jones boy would have been the most sought after free agent in a "typical" year. With Larson looming, the insane performance of Briscoe and some other commitments made that were already in the works (Chastain), Jones slides back in the pool despite one of his strongest seasons.
It'd be good for RPM you're right to have someone the caliber and potential of Erik, but I just dont see how they can cash that combo into a successful partnership. Maybe at plate tracks where he also excels at but I just dont see him coming out for the better in this deal, I think he could be forgotten quickly if he doesnt have success there. At this point I wish RCR could run a third car for Erik if they had the sponsorship, I'd at least feel better about that if he was going down the grid.
 
The biggest problem with the 43 is after Bubba leaves, how much sponsorship is actually left? We saw how an earlier real lack of funds hurt Bubba's performance, so it's conceivable Jones , despite talent might actually run WORSE in that car. This is one of those cases where having a ride might almost be worse than no ride. You can't be judged on the poor finishes you don't have..
 
I agree that Jones is effectively getting a raw deal if he lands with anything other than a premiere organization. He sounded enthusiastic about the negotiations, so if it is RPM, maybe they are working on yet another new alliance that is supposed to help. Also, keep in mind that the new car changes the ownership model considerably in 2022.
 
It's Dodge. Maybe Dodge is coming back with the famed 43 like we were told just a few years ago now. They'll be on the grid at Daytona.
You just do not know how happy that would make me.

I would cry tears if Dodge came back in some capacity. To see them affiliated back with Penske and RPM would be fantastic, but we all know its not going to happen.:(

Big time Dodge fanboi in me would be satisifed.
 
You just do not know how happy that would make me.

I would cry tears if Dodge came back in some capacity. To see them affiliated back with Penske and RPM would be fantastic, but we all know its not going to happen.:(

Big time Dodge fanboi in me would be satisifed.
Im poking fun of course, but I really hope they come back in some capacity and Im not even a Dodge guy, but boy do I miss them.
 
If Denny were smart he would talk MJ into funding a 2 car team and snap up Jones. With all due respect, Bubba could learn from someone that has come from top notch equipment and is used to running toward the sharp end of the grid. I personally think that lineup would have the potential to be pretty solid.

But money doesn't grow on trees and sometimes drivers just get lost in the shuffle. I'm hoping Jones lands on his feet.
 
If Denny were smart he would talk MJ into funding a 2 car team and snap up Jones. With all due respect, Bubba could learn from someone that has come from top notch equipment and is used to running toward the sharp end of the grid. I personally think that lineup would have the potential to be pretty solid.

But money doesn't grow on trees and sometimes drivers just get lost in the shuffle. I'm hoping Jones lands on his feet.

IMO the Jones/Toyota ship has sailed. He's spent 4 full time seasons in cup, 3 with the mothership and his results are not even in the same ballpark compare to the guys running the same equipment.

Not saying he's a bad driver, but in order to be successful I think he needs a complete change in the way things are run
 
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