QOTD EXTRA: NSCS free agents

[Digger]

Even though we are only 5 races in, it's never too early to talk about silly season. After all, most of the big shoes are likely to drop by August.

Put yourself in a NASCAR owner's position for a minute. There are seven free agents who's contracts expire at the end of 2009. Of those 7, we already know either McMurray or Ragan will, for sure, be out of their ride next year.

So, if you were a team owner, who would you hire and why?

(hold for my pole)

 

[Digger]

I gotta go with Harvick, but I'd have Ragan and Montoya on my radar as well.

I like Ragan, Montoya, Truex and Reutimann, but Harvick's success speaks for itself. He's come close, a few times, to winning the championship. In 2006, he had 5 wins and was a factor in every race he was running at the end of. In 2003, he won the Brickyard 400 from the pole. In 2007, he won The Daytona 500 and the All-Star Race. He won the first two events at Chicagoland Speedway. And who can forget Atlanta?

Add to that 2 Nationwide Series Championships (both while running the entire NSCS schedule) and one of those under extraordinary circumstances and high pressure that would've caused most NASCAR rookies to crack and fall apart.

Harvick's success speaks for itself - and he hasn't forgotten how to drive. Saturday, at age 33, Kevin Harvick scored his 33rd career Nationwide win in car #33. And there are a few races he likely would've been a factor in had it not been for Goodyear failures or engine failures.

 

[SlowNeasy]

i think a better question would be who isn't going to be resigned by their current owner. this seems more like a popularity voting as opposed to who's actually going to be *available*.

 

[toledo47]

i think a better question would be who isn't going to be resigned by their current owner. this seems more like a popularity voting as opposed to who's actually going to be *available*.

Yeah, I agree. I think Roush is keeping Ragan, not McMurray.

 

[SST55]

Harvick will leave RCR when and if his NNW and truck operations are running smooth. Then he'll venture into cup in his own equipment. Not for a couple of more years though.

Truex is a goner at DEI. He's the key player now, he's going to want, DEI won't want to give.

Jr, Mark, and Truex
Mark and Truex
Truex
See the pattern?

 

[Magnethead]

i think a better question would be who isn't going to be resigned by their current owner. this seems more like a popularity voting as opposed to who's actually going to be *available*.

I'd agree. We know vickers will have a new contract soon. Reuti's not going anywhere. wablo will stay with his best buddy. I agree that harvick will stay until he start's driving his own stuff like tony.

McMurray, Ragan, and Truex are the only questionmarks. But I think ragan and truex will stay...JMac is gonna be looking for a ride.

 

[Digger]

Harvick will leave RCR when and if his NNW and truck operations are running smooth. Then he'll venture into cup in his own equipment. Not for a couple of more years though.

Truex is a goner at DEI. He's the key player now, he's going to want, DEI won't want to give.

Jr, Mark, and Truex
Mark and Truex
Truex
See the pattern?

Truex and Pablo.

IDK about Truex but Pablo would definently leave.

If Harvick leaves RCR (and I think he will), Truex goes to Childress and Juan Pablo is picked up by a Toyota team. I don't think EGR is going to survive this economy.

I think Harvick's going to leave and try the driver/owner thing or merge his team with Stewart/Haas.

Happysmoke Racing

 

[BobbyFord]

I expect Ragan or J Mac to go to Yates...
Kevin is not ready for KHI to go Cup so I think he'll stay at RCR
The other guys, I don't think, would be a threat to any of the super teams no matter what they were driving...

 

[Magnethead]

I expect Ragan or J Mac to go to Yates...
Kevin is not ready for KHI to go Cup so I think he'll stay at RCR
The other guys, I don't think, would be a threat to any of the super teams no matter what they were driving...

IMO, as long as wildthing has 2 working arms and 2 working legs.....nobody's a threat to anybody, anywhere.....

 

[Newracefan]

I think Jamie if off to Yates in the 28 unless Kenseth needs his sponsors to replace the outgoing Dewalt then Jamie is done. Does anyone really think UPS is about to give up on David and I'm sure Jack isn't sending that sponsor money to Yates soooo. I can see Martin going somewhere else but where exactly I'm not sure, maybe Tony will increase to 3 teams.

 

[SlowNeasy]

IMO, as long as wildthing has 2 working arms and 2 working legs.....nobody's a threat to anybody, anywhere.....

whew, thought for a minute you were going to include his head j/k <g>

 

[Digger]

IMO, as long as wildthing has 2 working arms and 2 working legs.....nobody's a threat to anybody, anywhere.....

LOL

 

[Mopardh9]

No way Tony goes to 3 teams unless he wins a Championship, which is highly unlikely. Harvick venturing out on his own might be a reality in say 3-4 years. The industry is way to unstable right now for him to do that and I feel he is wise enough as a business man to see that. JPM is an interesting pick up for any team, he has talent, definetly balls, and is great for any teams' road racing program. I think he will stay where he is for a few more years. Jamie M.....well I see him maybe doing trucks, the guy just does not have it to stay in Cup IMO.