Possible 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Driver List

H

Happy29

Guest
(Compiled this list over at RaceSimCentral.)

NASCAR NEXTEL Cup (Number - Driver - Sponsor - Make)

Full Time


01 Joe Nemechek - US Army - Pontiac
Nemechek will start driving next week at Atlanta, he's not really considered anything but the relief driver for Jerry Nadeau until he can return.
03 ? - ? - Chevy
A Richard Childress Racing Chevy. The Number could be changed to the 90 or the 75. Considered for the ride are John Andretti, Johnny Sauter and Kerry Earnhardt.
0 Ward Burton - NetZero - Pontiac
Burton will actually start driving the car at Atlanta next week and continue throughout 2004 with an option for 2005.
1 ? - ? Chevy
This will be the story to watch during the next few weeks. Could we see Martin Truex Jr. in the ride? John Andretti? Kodak as a sponsor? Domino's?
2 Rusty Wallace - Miller Lite - Dodge
No changes known of...
4 ? - ? - Pontiac
Hearing Kevin Lepage as the driver, no word on if Kodak really is leaving or not.
5 Terry Labonte - Kellogg's - Chevy
No changes known of...
6 Mark Martin - Pfizer - Ford
No changes known of...
7 Jimmy Spencer - Sirius? Best Buy? - Dodge
The real question is, how long can Sirius stay alive.
8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. - Budweiser - Chevy
Signed a big contract last week, won't change for a long time...
9 Bill Elliott(?) - Dodge Dealers UAW - Dodge
Will Bill go all of 2004? Some of 2004?
10 Scott Riggs - Valvoline - Pontiac
Scott Riggs has signed on for 2004 leaving Johnny Benson with out a ride, for now...
11 Brett Bodine - ? - Ford
Supposedly has a big sponsor coming on board, no word on who it is yet...
12 Ryan Newman - ALLTEL - Dodge
No changes known of...
15 Michael Waltrip - NAPA - Chevy
No changes known of...
16 Greg Biffle - GRAINGER - Ford
Still a rumor he's leaving, but no truth about that has come...
17 Matt Kenseth - DeWalt - Ford
No changes known of...
18 Bobby Labonte - Interstate Batteries - Chevy
No changes known of...
19 Jeremy Mayfield(?)- Dodge Dealers UAW - Dodge
Dodge may cut back its Nextel Cup operations by limiting car owners to a single team sponsorship, which could be why Jeremy Mayfield has felt under such pressure lately with car owner Ray Evernham.
20 Tony Stewert - Home Depot - Chevy
No changes known of...
21 Ricky Rudd - Motorcraft - Ford
No changes known of...
22 Scott Wimmer - Caterpillar - Dodge
Will start this ride at Atlanta next week, signed through 2004.
23 Kenny Wallace - Stacker 2 - Dodge
Rumors have it this team may move to the truck series..
24 Jeff Gordon - DuPont - Chevy
No changes known of...
25 Brian Vickers - GMAC - Chevy
Will start this ride at Atlanta next week, signed through 2004.
29 Kevin Harvick - GM Goodwrench - Chevy
No changes known of, other than Smirnoff Ice Triple Black possibly coming on board when not on the #17 car...
30 ? - AOL - Chevy
Needs a driver, but has been narrowed down to two...
31 Robby Gordon - Cingular - Chevy
No changes known of...
32 Ricky Craven - Tide - Pontiac
No changes known of...
38 Elliott Sadler - M&M's - Ford
No changes known of...
40 Sterling Marlin - Coor's Lite - Dodge
No changes known of...
41 Casey Mears - Target - Dodge
Mears may leave after 2003, but no word on it.
42 Jamie McMurray - Havoline - Dodge
No changes known of...
43 ? - Cheerios - Dodge
Jeff Green appears to be the main man here, but nothing confirmed
45 Kyle Petty - Georgia Pacific - Dodge
No changes known of...
48 Jimmie Johnson - Lowe's Chevy
No changes known of...
49 Ken Schrader - ? - Dodge
AT&T was to be the sponsor, but with the NEXTEL deal with NASCAR, it may shut them out. Kodak is thinking of signing on.
54 Todd Bodine - National Guard - Ford
Todd Bodine will most likely be back in the 54 however, The U.S Army National Guard may not.
74 Tony Raines - ? - Chevy
Hearing Best Western as the sponsor...
77 Dave Blaney - Jasper - Dodge
Makes the switch to Dodge in '04...
79 Billy Bigley Jr. - ? - Dodge
Will move shop from FL to the old Melling shop in NC...
88 Dale Jarrett - UPS - Ford
No changes known of...
97 Kurt Busch - IRWIN/Sharpie - Ford
Irwin Tools comes on for more events...
99 Jeff Burton - ? Ford
Needs a sponsor, reports say Kodak, Eli Lilly, and Smirnoff Ice as possible candidates, but so far FedEx is the front runner.

Part Time

?? John Mickel - ? - Ford
This is the new British team, no word on number or sponsor...
00 Buckshot Jones - ? - Chevy
The Michael Waltrip Racing Chevrolet , no word yet if Buckshot or the 00 will return in 2004.
02 Hermie Sadler - Go Team VA- Pontiac
Attempted a few dozen races in '03, might return in '04
27 ? - Stacker 2 - Pontiac/Dodge
This is the Bill Davis Racing R&D team, normally driven by Scott Wimmer who will step up to the #22 car...
44 Christian Fittipaldi - ? - Dodge
Will attempt select races
80 ? - Advair - Chevy
This is the JGR R&D team, also may be the team "owned" by Tony Stewart for J.J. Yeley...
81 ? - ? - Chevy
This is Dale Earnhardt Jr's Chance 2 Motorsports team, also may be the stepping stone for Martin Truex Jr. if he isn't in the #1
91 ? - Mountain Dew - Dodge
This is the Evernham R&D team, may put Casey Atwood in it during the season
?? ? - ? - Pontiac
This is the second Cal Wells (#32) team, front runner for the ride was Joe Nemechek, but it could be Johnny Benson
?? ? - ? - ?
This is the Hall Of Fame (HOF) Racing ride, owned by former Dallas Cowboy QBs Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach. An NBS driver has been named, but no word on make, sponsor, or driver on the NNC side...


Confirmed Rookie of the Year candidates

Billy Bigley Jr. - #79 Arnold Motorsports
Brian Vickers - #25 Hendrick Motorsports
Scott Wimmer - #22 Bill Davis Racing
Scott Riggs - #10 MB2 Motorsports
 
I have heard that Johnny Benson has been talking to RCR. But that is hear say. :D
 
I think it could either be Ron Hornaday or John Andretti to the 30.
 
Not only that... Jayski.com reports Kahne could be in the #9 Dodge Dealers Dodge next year.
 
Originally posted by Coffee Warlord@Oct 19 2003, 05:08 PM
Not only that... Jayski.com reports Kahne could be in the #9 Dodge Dealers Dodge next year.
Click to expand...
not if ford has anything to do with it
 
This is strange because I was under the impression that Kahne was under contract with Ford.
 
Just a note but you forgot Derrike Cope #37, he has a sponsor-I believe it's PHM Hosptial managment or something like that (what he ran in Martinsville) and is planning to run most races or partial like he did this year.
 
Originally posted by airbe5car@Oct 19 2003, 06:12 PM
Just a note but you forgot Derrike Cope #37, he has a sponsor-I believe it's PHM Hosptial managment or something like that (what he ran in Martinsville) and is planning to run most races or partial like he did this year.
Click to expand...
poor derick cope, one last chance cause y'all know this sponsorship won't last long with not finishing on the lead lap everytime he races. Hmmmmmmmm I wonder if he did'nt win the daytona 500 a long time ago would he still be around?
 
Also add Jeremy Mayfield to the list of drivers Richard Childress maybe looking for if the 19 of Evernham folds and leaves Mayfield without a ride.
 
NO! I want Johnny Sauter to get that ride or Ron Hornaday. Keep it in the organization.
 
Johnny Sauter isnt part of the RCR Stable anymore.

Also Derrike Cope is drving full season

Also Kasey Khane is driving in the #9 Car season in some races along with Bill Elliott in some races.

Shane Himel or Johnny Benson or Jeff Green would be in the 3rd Petty Entry for the 2004 Season.

Mike Bilss is going to be poilting the #80 Advair in some races in 2004
 
Casey Mears will most likely stay with the 41 says team manager Andy Graves.
 
If Bill Elliott goes to a part time schedule in 04, look for him to run the #19.

To replace him in the #9 would be Kahne.

And Mayfield would be out of a ride, so expect him to go to the #30.
 
Here is my Version of Silly Season Chart

01. Joe Nemencheck - US Army
02. Hermie Sadler - Team VA go
0. Ward Burton - NetZero
1. ?
2. Rusty Wallace - Miller Lite
4. Kevin lepage - Kodak ?
5. Terry Labonte - Kellogg's
6. Mark Martin - Pfizer
7. Jimmy Spencer - Siruis?
8. Dale Jr - BUD
9. Kasey Khane and Bill Elliott (BE Part Time) - Dodge
10. Scott Riggs - Valvoline
11. Brett Bodine - ?
12. Ryan Newman - Alltel
13. Jerry Glainville - ?
14. Mark Green - Harrah's
15. Michael Waltrip - Napa
16. Greg Biffle - Grainger
17. Matt Kenseth - DeWalt
18. B-Lab - Interstate Batteries
19. Jermey Mayfield - Dodge
20. Tony Stewart - Home Depot
21. Ricky Rudd - Motorcraft
22. Scott Wimmer - CAT
24. Jeff Gordon - Dupont
25. Brian Vickers - Ditech/GMAC
29. Kevin Harvick - Goodwrench
30. ? - AOL
31. Robby Gordon - Cingular
32. Ricky Craven - Tide
37. Derrike Cope - PHM
38. Elliott Sadler - M&M's
40. Streling Marlin - Coors
41. Casey Mears - Target
42. Jamie McMurray - Havoline
43. Christian Fittapaldi - Cheerios
44. Shame Hmeil - ?
45. Kyle Petty - GP
48. Jimmie Johnson - Lowes
49. Ken Shrader - Kodak?
50. Larry Foyt - Harrah's
62. Branden Gaughen - Orleans Casino
77. Dave Blaney - Jasper (dodge in 2004)
79. Billy Bigly Jr. - Best Western?
81. Jason Keller - Kraft
88. Dale Jarrett - UPS
89. Morgan Shepherd - Racing for Jesus
97. Kurt Busch - Irwin Tools
99. Jeff Burton - FEDex?
 
Originally posted by wlfyk62@Oct 20 2003, 12:28 PM
Shane Himel or Johnny Benson or Jeff Green would be in the 3rd Petty Entry for the 2004 Season.
Click to expand...
I don't expect to see Shane back in NASCAR anytime soon, considering he's been SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY, as you should know.
 
Originally posted by stridsberry+Oct 22 2003, 09:19 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (stridsberry @ Oct 22 2003, 09:19 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--wlfyk62@Oct 20 2003, 12:28 PM
Shane Himel or Johnny Benson or Jeff Green would be in the 3rd Petty Entry for the 2004 Season.
Click to expand...
I don't expect to see Shane back in NASCAR anytime soon, considering he's been SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY, as you should know. [/b][/quote]
Shane Hmeil is comming back after is hearing... Jeff Green is going to be in BGN Full Time driving the #25 Team Marines Ford Taurs becuase Bobby Hamliton Jr is going to cup in 2004 for Team Rensi and The #35 Timerland PRO Ford
 
Shane Hmiel could come back. There are rumors he along with his father Steve could possibly go to Petty Enterprises in the 44.
 
It's official, Riggs to the #10

MBV Motorsports announced today that Scott Riggs has signed a multi-year agreement to drive the #10 Valvoline Pontiac in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, beginning with the 2004 season-opening Daytona 500. The announcement was made by James Rocco, designated team owner and senior vice president of The Valvoline Company. Riggs replaces Johnny Benson, who will complete the 2003 season in the #10 car. “Johnny Benson is a tough, talented driver with a lot of heart, “said Rocco. “He gave the team its first win and is a good ambassador for Valvoline Racing. We wish him the best. Scott Riggs is a winner, Rocco said. “He is a hard-charger who has excelled in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the NASCAR Busch Series. He has the talent to compete at the NASCAR Nextel Cup level and continue Valvoline's winning legacy.”
“I've been blessed to have had some great rides in my racing career and some great people helping me along the way,” Riggs said. “I explored several excellent NASCAR Nextel Cup opportunities as well as offers to remain in the Busch Series and I decided the Valvoline Pontiac was the best place for me to be at this stage of my career. I appreciate the confidence Valvoline and MBV Motorsports have placed in me,” Riggs explained. “I'm going to work with the team to get everything I can out of the cars and hope to reward them with some wins.”
 
I hope Johnny Benson lands somewhere good, hopefully PPI. I can only dream he'll make it to DEI or RCR, but I think they'd like younger drivers.
 
I think Benson could most likely wind up at a possible 2nd team at Cal Wells.
 
The way it's working out so far... DEI will be without a driver for the #1 unless Andretti stays with the team.
 
Originally posted by Coffee Warlord@Oct 24 2003, 11:24 AM
The way it's working out so far... DEI will be without a driver for the #1 unless Andretti stays with the team.
Click to expand...
I personally would like tosee Andretti stay in the #1 car,even tho I wish to god Jeff Burton would leave Roush and sign with DEI and the 1 car.
 
I am with you. I would have liked to see Jeff Burton in the 1. But that's not gonna happen.
 
Right now, the leading candidates for the 1 are Martin Truex Jr and John Andretti.

Also consider Buckshot Jones, he was runnin good this year at Talladega until a tire a blew, he was driving a Michael Waltrip Racing owned car.
 
As noted in another thread, Greg Biffle maybe leaving Roush because of disagreements with the Ford camp. It was denied by a NASCAR.com interview with Biffle however.

Also, J.J Yeley and Joe Gibbs Racing maybe nearing a deal. Yeley, the 27 year old could be put in a BGN/ARCA schedule for 2004 if the deal goes through.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom