Car owner Joe Gibbs is possibly interested in expanding to a fourth Nextel Cup team -- with Ricky Rudd, if Rudd is amenable. Rudd drove Dover for Gibbs last month while Tony Stewart was recuperating, and the Gibbs team was pleased with how easy Rudd was to work with, and with how competitive Rudd still is. Red Bull has also talked with Rudd about a ride next year.
-- Winston-Salem Journal
Bobby Labonte said quite emphatically to scratch reports he may be on car owner Robert Yates' list of drivers to try to sign for 2007. Labonte called the Yates' report "a stupid rumor." Yates is in the market for a high-profile driver to run for his two-car team, with Dale Jarrett leaving and with major questions about Elliott Sadler possibly leaving too.
-- Winston-Salem Journal
The UPS-sponsored Toyota Camry that Jarrett will drive in 2007 for Michael Waltrip Racing might be the No. 44. NASCAR vice president Jim Hunter confirmed Sunday that Waltrip has expressed interest in acquiring the number. Terry Labonte has run the No. 44 on a limited basis this season for Hendrick Motorsports. But Petty Enterprises, the last team to the run the number on a full-time basis, still has a say in where it goes.
-- Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Retired NASCAR racer Rusty Wallace has some advice for Danica Patrick if she is contemplating a jump from IndyCar to Nextel Cup anytime soon: Don't. "If she does it now it could be a career-ender," said Wallace.
-- The Tennessean
NASCAR is expected to give Cup teams one more open test session next season. The tests will include Daytona and Talladega. The Talladega test is expected to be for the car of tomorrow. Series officials passed out ballots to crew chiefs to vote on the remaining five tracks to test. No final count has been made, but the five tracks are expected to be Lowe's Motor Speedway, Richmond, Homestead, Las Vegas and Indianapolis.
-- Roanoke Times
Veteran Bill Elliott said he is open to returning to Cup racing full-time next season, but it would have to be with a team with the resources to perform well. Elliott has been most recently linked with an opening at Red Bull Racing, which will is field two Toyotas next season. Brian Vickers has been signed to drive one entry.
-- Charlotte Observer
New Hampshire International Speedway owner Bob Bahre maintains his track is not for sale but also says that could change. Speedway Motorsports Inc. owner Bruton Smith has made little secret of his interest in the speedway, and International Speedway Corp. also has expressed its interest, should it be for sale.
-- Charlotte Observer
At the pre-race drivers meeting, Mark Martin was recognized for making his 600th consecutive career start, the longest current stretch dating back to the 1988 Daytona 500. Amazingly, all of his starts have been for one car owner: Jack Roush.
-- Boston Globe
-- Winston-Salem Journal
Bobby Labonte said quite emphatically to scratch reports he may be on car owner Robert Yates' list of drivers to try to sign for 2007. Labonte called the Yates' report "a stupid rumor." Yates is in the market for a high-profile driver to run for his two-car team, with Dale Jarrett leaving and with major questions about Elliott Sadler possibly leaving too.
-- Winston-Salem Journal
The UPS-sponsored Toyota Camry that Jarrett will drive in 2007 for Michael Waltrip Racing might be the No. 44. NASCAR vice president Jim Hunter confirmed Sunday that Waltrip has expressed interest in acquiring the number. Terry Labonte has run the No. 44 on a limited basis this season for Hendrick Motorsports. But Petty Enterprises, the last team to the run the number on a full-time basis, still has a say in where it goes.
-- Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Retired NASCAR racer Rusty Wallace has some advice for Danica Patrick if she is contemplating a jump from IndyCar to Nextel Cup anytime soon: Don't. "If she does it now it could be a career-ender," said Wallace.
-- The Tennessean
NASCAR is expected to give Cup teams one more open test session next season. The tests will include Daytona and Talladega. The Talladega test is expected to be for the car of tomorrow. Series officials passed out ballots to crew chiefs to vote on the remaining five tracks to test. No final count has been made, but the five tracks are expected to be Lowe's Motor Speedway, Richmond, Homestead, Las Vegas and Indianapolis.
-- Roanoke Times
Veteran Bill Elliott said he is open to returning to Cup racing full-time next season, but it would have to be with a team with the resources to perform well. Elliott has been most recently linked with an opening at Red Bull Racing, which will is field two Toyotas next season. Brian Vickers has been signed to drive one entry.
-- Charlotte Observer
New Hampshire International Speedway owner Bob Bahre maintains his track is not for sale but also says that could change. Speedway Motorsports Inc. owner Bruton Smith has made little secret of his interest in the speedway, and International Speedway Corp. also has expressed its interest, should it be for sale.
-- Charlotte Observer
At the pre-race drivers meeting, Mark Martin was recognized for making his 600th consecutive career start, the longest current stretch dating back to the 1988 Daytona 500. Amazingly, all of his starts have been for one car owner: Jack Roush.
-- Boston Globe
