Ideas about the 30 car

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esorlxaw

Guest
Just a couple of thoughts...with such a lousy finish, AOL didn't get much attention as a sponsor. However, with all the mystery surrounding the driver next year, it sure is getting mentioned a lot. Another thing, as far as Jeff Burton is concerned, he and Robby Gordon don't seem to get along very well. They've both gone after one another and taken each other out of contention for good finishes in a few races. I hate it everytime it happens because I like both drivers and the unfortunate thing is, neither of them can let it go. While it would be great to have him in a new ride, and I'm sure he could win, there'd be an awful lot of bad blood to figure out and figure out quick. What does everyone else think?
 
I think Jeff Burton squashed the rumors of his moving to the 30 car...

"I am committed to Roush Racing and Roush Racing is committed to me," Burton said. "We are in a position that we need to put a sponsor on our car. ...But we will field a well-funded, championship-contending race team next year. We are full-speed ahead." Burton did not specifically address the open seat in the #30 Chevrolets, but did say that other car owners have expressed interest in having him drive for their teams. "That has been flattering," Burton said. "But my allegiance is with Roush Racing. When things have been good, we've done them together, and when things have been bad we've gone through them together." Burton said that he is confident his team will sign a sponsor, but said Roush has assured him the #99 will run a full schedule in 2004 even if no sponsor can be signed."
 
All the tools are in place, they have a crew chief in Kevin Hamlin, they have the crew, they have the car, where's the driver?

There are lots of drivers who dont have rides right now that can be hired. Johnny Benson doesnt have a Cup ride right now, neither does Ron Hornaday and a bunch of others in the "free agents" so to speak. Of course, Busch Series driver Johnny Sauter is being considered for the ride.

Wouldnt be a bad idea to only run it in a few races this season, have maybe a veteran driver take the first couple races then get someone from the Busch Series to drive it the next couple of races.
 
My guess is that RCR goes to a two car effort in 2004, just like DEI. In 2005 my guess Paul Tracy will join RCR on a limited basis...
 
If JB does get that ride I will be on cloud nine. JB's 2004 season does not seem like it will include a full time ride in the Nextel Cup :(

I belive that Johnny will get the ride, as in Johnny Sauter
 
If I was gonna pick two guys to be at the top os the list od drivers in the 30 car it would be Sautar or Hornaday. I would like to see Benson there but don't think so. Burton will stay with Roush.
 
Johnny Sauter will drive the #30 car in 2004, as noted by Jayski.
 
Sauter to drive the #30 has been officially announced...

NASCAR.com

NEW YORK -- NASCAR team owner Richard Childress announced Thursday that Johnny Sauter will drive the No. 30 AOL Chevrolet for the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season and will compete for the 2004 Rookie of the Year Award.

Sauter, 25, helped Childress claim the 2003 Busch Series owner's championship as part of a two-driver effort in the No. 21 PayDay Chevrolet with fellow Richard Childress Racing (RCR) driver Kevin Harvick. He also finished eighth in the 2003 Busch Series driver's points.

The Necedah, Wis., native first competed in the NASCAR Busch Series with RCR in 2001 on a limited basis while also claiming the American Speed Association championship and rookie of the year award with a series-record 10 wins. He moved into the No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet in 2002 where he claimed his first Busch Series victory and finished 15th in the point standings.

"Johnny Sauter has been a big part of RCR's success the last few seasons," said Childress. "The move to the Nextel Cup is the next step in his promising career, so I wanted to make sure that step was taken with us. Johnny is the type of driver that fits the RCR mold so I know he'll do a great job in the AOL Chevrolet.

"Driving for RCR and AOL in the Nextel Cup Series is just an unbelievable opportunity for me, really a dream come true," said Sauter. "RCR has been my home since Richard took the chance a few years back and put me in that Busch car. There isn't another team I would want to race for in my rookie year."

Kevin Hamlin named rookie's crew chief

Childress also announced Kevin Hamlin will become Sauter's crew chief, moving to the No. 30 AOL team from the No. 31 Cingular Wireless team. Hamlin led Robby Gordon to a 16th-place finish in the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup point standings, claiming both road course wins. Since joining RCR in 1997, Hamlin has nine Winston Cup victories, claiming wins with every driver with which he has worked.

"Kevin Hamlin has the experience of working with almost every driver we've ever had here at RCR, taking each one of them to victory lane", added Childress. "He led both Mike Skinner and Kevin Harvick to the Winston Cup Rookie of the Year Awards, so I know he has the capability to help Johnny become successful. I am confident he can lead Johnny and the AOL team to a very successful 2004 season in the Nextel Cup series."

Hamlin will bring his entire 2003 No. 31 crew in making the move to join Sauter on the 2004 No. 30 AOL team.

"I am looking forward to working with Johnny and claiming another Rookie of the Year award for RCR," said Hamlin. "I see him following the trend of having a strong rookie season and competing for wins. We'll have a strong, experienced crew coupled with a hard charging rookie, so I am excited about the 2004 season.

"We're delighted that a promising young driver like Johnny Sauter will be in the seat of the No. 30 AOL Chevrolet. Pairing Johnny with an experienced crew chief like Kevin Hamlin will allow the AOL team to win races and aggressively compete for the Rookie of the Year Award in 2004," said Richard Taylor, Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing for America Online. "Our partnership with NASCAR is a great fit with our AOL for Broadband high-speed offerings, and we look forward to continuing that partnership with this new team next season."
 
Sauter will be the RCR "Man of the Hour" in the 30 car!
 
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