T
TonyB
Guest
A sampling of the rumors being reported this morning as I surfed around...
#77 - Gaughan Out? Kvapil In?
Changes are expected with the No. 77 Penske-Jasper Dodge. Travis Kvapil, the 2003 truck series champion, has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Brendan Gaughan. On Saturday, Kvapil showed total focus, winning despite the turmoil at Bang Racing involving a possible split from Toyota and the loss of teammate Mike Skinner. Certainly Penske-Jasper would be a more stable situation, but Penske South G.M. John Erickson says nothing will happen before the end of the season. . . .
Lee Spencer - Fox Sports
Penske-Jasper Racing officials are exploring "all options" with regard to its No. 77 Dodges in 2005, including a driver change if necessary, teams sources confirmed Sunday. Rookie Brendan Gaughan has struggled this season in the car, which is owned jointly by Penske Racing South and Jasper Motorsports. Prior to Sunday’s race he was 31st in points with one top-10 finish and has failed to finish eight races. Team officials have made no secret of late of their desire to see performance pick up with the team. Gaughan, who led the Craftsman Truck Series with six wins last season, declined comment Sunday.
Jim Utter - That's Racin
#0 - Ward Out?
Ward Burton, who learned his contract with the No. 0 Haas CNC Racing Chevrolet will not be renewed, is a man of principle, so it's not surprising that he would contemplate retirement rather than suffer the humiliation of finding a ride with a second-rate Cup team. "I still want to drive, and I know I can still win races," Burton says. His sponsor, NetZero HiSpeed, thinks so, too, and will follow him if he signs with another team. But the problem is simple: The seats of the cars capable of winning are filled.
Lee Spencer - Fox Sports
Leffler to #0? #11? Starr to Busch?
Jason Leffler has been rumored to be moving into the No. 0, and his name also has been mentioned in connection with the new No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing ride. If Leffler graduates from the Busch Series to Cup, it's possible that truck series driver David Starr could join Haas CNC Racing. . . .
Lee Spencer - Fox Sports
NASCAR Busch Series driver Jason Leffler has emerged as the leading candidate to drive Joe Gibbs Racing's third Nextel Cup entry beginning next season, ThatsRacin.com has learned. Messages left with Leffler on Saturday went unreturned, but multiple sources confirmed the search for Gibbs' new driver for the No. 11 Chevrolets was all but over. Leffler was not at New Hampshire this weekend, as the Busch Series was off.J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR, would not comment on specific drivers for the organization's new team. "We're meeting with FedEx officials (the sponsor) this week, actually," he said."I think within two or three weeks we'll have a definite direction where we can come out and say, 'Hey this is what we're doing.' That's probably all I can say right now."
Jim Utter - That's Racin'
AOL Gone From #30?
Richard Childress is negotiating with AOL, sponsor of his No. 30 car, but says he has a backup plan if that sponsorship falls through.
Lee Spencer - Fox Sports
AOL is leaving the sport of NASCAR next season to become the title sponsor of another stock car racing series. While they will remain in the sport on a lesser basis than the head sponsor of the No. 30 Richard Childress Racing Chevy, RCR has been shopping for a new sponsor.
Linda Przygodski - Motorsport.com
McMurray Trying To Get Out On Contract With Ganassi?
Garage sources say that Jamie McMurray is furiously trying to get out of his contract with Chip Ganassi Racing and the No. 42 Dodge. Two teams are interested in hiring McMurray if he managed to be released from his obligation to Ganassi. Rumor is the McMurray is the top pick to pilot the third Gibbs team next season if everything comes together.
Linda Przygodski - Motorsport.com
And that's without including anything from Malarkey Mulhern!
#77 - Gaughan Out? Kvapil In?
Changes are expected with the No. 77 Penske-Jasper Dodge. Travis Kvapil, the 2003 truck series champion, has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Brendan Gaughan. On Saturday, Kvapil showed total focus, winning despite the turmoil at Bang Racing involving a possible split from Toyota and the loss of teammate Mike Skinner. Certainly Penske-Jasper would be a more stable situation, but Penske South G.M. John Erickson says nothing will happen before the end of the season. . . .
Lee Spencer - Fox Sports
Penske-Jasper Racing officials are exploring "all options" with regard to its No. 77 Dodges in 2005, including a driver change if necessary, teams sources confirmed Sunday. Rookie Brendan Gaughan has struggled this season in the car, which is owned jointly by Penske Racing South and Jasper Motorsports. Prior to Sunday’s race he was 31st in points with one top-10 finish and has failed to finish eight races. Team officials have made no secret of late of their desire to see performance pick up with the team. Gaughan, who led the Craftsman Truck Series with six wins last season, declined comment Sunday.
Jim Utter - That's Racin
#0 - Ward Out?
Ward Burton, who learned his contract with the No. 0 Haas CNC Racing Chevrolet will not be renewed, is a man of principle, so it's not surprising that he would contemplate retirement rather than suffer the humiliation of finding a ride with a second-rate Cup team. "I still want to drive, and I know I can still win races," Burton says. His sponsor, NetZero HiSpeed, thinks so, too, and will follow him if he signs with another team. But the problem is simple: The seats of the cars capable of winning are filled.
Lee Spencer - Fox Sports
Leffler to #0? #11? Starr to Busch?
Jason Leffler has been rumored to be moving into the No. 0, and his name also has been mentioned in connection with the new No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing ride. If Leffler graduates from the Busch Series to Cup, it's possible that truck series driver David Starr could join Haas CNC Racing. . . .
Lee Spencer - Fox Sports
NASCAR Busch Series driver Jason Leffler has emerged as the leading candidate to drive Joe Gibbs Racing's third Nextel Cup entry beginning next season, ThatsRacin.com has learned. Messages left with Leffler on Saturday went unreturned, but multiple sources confirmed the search for Gibbs' new driver for the No. 11 Chevrolets was all but over. Leffler was not at New Hampshire this weekend, as the Busch Series was off.J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR, would not comment on specific drivers for the organization's new team. "We're meeting with FedEx officials (the sponsor) this week, actually," he said."I think within two or three weeks we'll have a definite direction where we can come out and say, 'Hey this is what we're doing.' That's probably all I can say right now."
Jim Utter - That's Racin'
AOL Gone From #30?
Richard Childress is negotiating with AOL, sponsor of his No. 30 car, but says he has a backup plan if that sponsorship falls through.
Lee Spencer - Fox Sports
AOL is leaving the sport of NASCAR next season to become the title sponsor of another stock car racing series. While they will remain in the sport on a lesser basis than the head sponsor of the No. 30 Richard Childress Racing Chevy, RCR has been shopping for a new sponsor.
Linda Przygodski - Motorsport.com
McMurray Trying To Get Out On Contract With Ganassi?
Garage sources say that Jamie McMurray is furiously trying to get out of his contract with Chip Ganassi Racing and the No. 42 Dodge. Two teams are interested in hiring McMurray if he managed to be released from his obligation to Ganassi. Rumor is the McMurray is the top pick to pilot the third Gibbs team next season if everything comes together.
Linda Przygodski - Motorsport.com
And that's without including anything from Malarkey Mulhern!
