YES people don't remember that barney said last year he would be VERY surprised if eric jones was in the car beyond this season. I ask what else do you think that could have meant last year? were they going to put jones in a BK car? I mean come on. for one thing I don't think its something other people wanted out there, barney may have let the cat out of the bag. But it told me JGR was going to move a driver. at the time your not letting hamlin, busch, or carl go. it said to me toyota wanted to keep eric jones from being hired by another team. I think what allenbada is saying and YES it lines up with the tea leaves is the 77 car was simply a car used to keep a toyota driver in the fold. The 77 isn't going to run again next year unless a situation emerges that toyota wants to keep another driver from being hired by a big name cup team. I personally think maybe at the time they thought that eric jones would run the 77 car and that suarez would take it next year if carl was still driving. Suarez has the financial backing I don't feel he is a "toyota" driver that the team sees as a must keep and would thus make a place for him somewhere. but by that time they might not have had to because suarez would bring the money with him. It would be interesting to know allenbada's take on my theory.
I think the better funded cup teams see something down the road. They see veterens leaving, They see rich kid ride buyers as their future unless they can move the people that deserve to be there up in time to get enough success to build sponsorship around them. That is why you see hendrick make a move on william byron. The best drivers will shine, but unless they get moved up quickly your left with ride buyers and maybe that is ok for a team or 2 on an organization. but you don't want to be the next RCR, with 2 ride buyers and an aging veteren on the team.
It is surprising how disposable kenseth has been from both roush and JGR, the guy is a champion. the only guy with more wins is JJ, I can tell you one thing, with the exception of maybe harvick and kyle busch and of course jimmie, and denny only cause he is younger. who else out there gives you the best chance to win? he not going to say anything stupid or have a crazy girl friend, I still think he has wins left in him.