Who's going in the 22???

F

FlFlash

Guest
Personaly I'm pulling for David Ragan or David Reutimann I beleive both are Solid drivers and Good Sponsor representatives, leaning towards Ragan I think he's a better match with Keselowski as far as how they drive/set-up comparisons and such. Interesting Penske is saying Hornish Won't be inline for the ride?
Here's a bit from Jayski:

•Ragan in line for the #22 ride: been told Ragan has been released by Roush Fenway Racing and Ford to pursue other oppurtunities. Supposedly he was in line to run the #51 Chevy in 2012, but now hearing he will sign a one-year deal to run the #22 Dodge for Penske.(12-5-2011)
AND David Ragan was given his release from Roush Fenway Racing on Monday, opening the door for him to possibly replace 2004 Sprint Cup champion Kurt Busch at Penske Racing. Ragan said he asked for his release Monday morning, after learning that Busch and Penske Racing had mutually agreed to split. He then talked to Penske Racing president Tim Cindric to express an interest in the vacant #22 ride. "I want to be in consideration for that car," Ragan said. Ragan said he had been disappointed when UPS informed Roush Fenway during the season that it was not returning to the #6 car as a sponsor. "Sometimes crazy things happen for a reason. I feel I've got a good shot to have a sit-down talk with the guys at Penske," Ragan said. "We haven't discussed that, but I have reached out to them and hopefully later on in the next week or two we'll have more to talk about." Although Ragan didn't have a Sprint Cup Series ride with RFR for 2012, he remained under contract until he was given the release. The move now clears him to pursue the Penske opening, as well as other potential vacancies in Sprint Cup and the Nationwide Series.
Penske Racing executive Bud Denker acknowledged that Ragan "and others" would be considered to replace Busch, whose behavior on and off the track led to the split. He did not give a timetable, but indicated it could be several weeks, as the process has just begun and sponsor Shell Pennzoil will have to approve the winning candidate. Others drivers who might be considered include David Reutimann and Brian Vickers. Reutimann was released from Michael Waltrip Racing, while Vickers was a part of Red Bull Racing, which is folding its NASCAR operation. Denker said that Sam Hornish Jr. will not be under consideration, as Penske wants the former IndyCar Series champion to focus on a full Nationwide Series run in 2012 before returning to Cup. Hornish drove full time in the Cup Series for Penske from 2008 through 2010, recording only two top-5 finishes and never finishing better than 28th in points.(ESPN)(12-5-2011)

From: http://www.jayski.com/cupnews.htm
 
Penske has said they want Hornish to run Nationwide full time next season before considering bringing him back up to cup.
 
A sponsor bailing on a top tier team with a up and coming driver has to raise questions on his ability. I know there could be many other reasons too but still.

Reutimann got the short end of the stick from MWR, IMHO. I think he'll surprise a lot of doubters if he gets a ride in 1st class equipment, like the 22.
 
Its pretty slim pickings right now as far as drivers are concerned, unless someone else bails on a contract. I wouldn't pick Ragan, Vickers or Reutiman. None of them have what I would consider the star quality to be in that seat. I think a call to Allgaier would not be out of the question. I also would rather put Elliot Sadler or Johnny Sauter in the car before the current out of work Sprint cuppers. I think Stenhouse and Bayne needs more development before they are ready and Sam Hornish's development plans have been laid out and reinforced by Penske. Not a good time to go driver shopping.
 
Penske has said they want Hornish to run Nationwide full time next season before considering bringing him back up to cup.

That would make sense but still, from a marketing and sponsor/driver relationship standpoint, Sam could be the man!

Out of the 3 free-agent drivers mentioned, Reutimann might just be the one. I would think that Vickers and Ragan would want multi-year deals. David would probably be happy with a one-year deal to team with Kez. This is with Sam in mind for the 2013 season, of course...
 
Its pretty slim pickings right now as far as drivers are concerned, unless someone else bails on a contract. I wouldn't pick Ragan, Vickers or Reutiman. None of them have what I would consider the star quality to be in that seat. I think a call to Allgaier would not be out of the question. I also would rather put Elliot Sadler or Johnny Sauter in the car before the current out of work Sprint cuppers. I think Stenhouse and Bayne needs more development before they are ready and Sam Hornish's development plans have been laid out and reinforced by Penske. Not a good time to go driver shopping.

I agree with all of this..
 
I'd take Vickers, you can't single him out from 2 races in his career as a wrecking ball, because everyone has had races like that, like Ragan when he brought out 3 straight cautions at Bristol. He was a Chase driver just 2 years ago, missed most of a year with his heart problem and then when he came back Red Bull was falling apart. He is a good driver and personally your all singleing him out way to much from the end of this year.
 
I'd take Vickers, you can't single him out from 2 races in his career as a wrecking ball, because everyone has had races like that, like Ragan when he brought out 3 straight cautions at Bristol. He was a Chase driver just 2 years ago, missed most of a year with his heart problem and then when he came back Red Bull was falling apart. He is a good driver and personally your all singleing him out way to much from the end of this year.





Not just this year.
 
and personally your all singleing him out way to much from the end of this year.

Maybe, but he drove for HMS and didn't do much. Then he did the same at RB, but then Kasey showed up and we all saw that the equiptment has been better than the drivers.
 
Don't get me wrong ...I am no fan of Hornish , but that ride is his. Roger said when he had to put him in the Nationwide car that he would be back in cup asap .Ready or not.. he is more ready than one of the kids and more deserving than one of the other free agents . If he isn't ready now.. than fire him . If Hornish has any self respect , he will walk if he doesn't get the ride.Put one of the kids in the Nationwide and if Hornish doesn't work out in the 22 ,then fire his ass.
 
IMO Reuti should get that ride. We saw what he did in 3rd tier equipment, give him a 1 year shot at top equip and see what he does. He's a sponsor's driver (trained by the best in that dept), doesn't have any kind of negative attributes to him at all, and as mentioned, would be the only driver open to a single year contact.
 
With Hornish looking to be the long term plan, and having a good relationship with Penske.


I would take Reutimann in a single season deal. He has more talent than Ragan, and is good on the intermediates.


After putting up with the POS maggot they have had, getting aquatinted with Reutimann would be a time to heal the team.


A good 2013 set up for Hornish.
 
I was pointing out that he's took people out not only this year. Last lap of the race or the first lap of the race doesn't matter.
 
I was pointing out that he's took people out not only this year. Last lap of the race or the first lap of the race doesn't matter.

Actually, it does matter. Just about every driver would realistically wreck someone on the last lap. Carl's done it a few times, and he gets high praise when he does it. But when Vickers does it, he's a dirty driver?

Last lap of the race, anything goes. And don't forget that the Charlotte clip, that was from a winner-take-all race.
 
Actually, it does matter. Just about every driver would realistically wreck someone on the last lap. Carl's done it a few times, and he gets high praise when he does it. But when Vickers does it, he's a dirty driver?

Last lap of the race, anything goes. And don't forget that the Charlotte clip, that was from a winner-take-all race.


I've said many times that Carl is a dirty driver. However unlike Vickers he actually runs up front.

Let me ask you something. IF you were leading and Vickers took you out to win the open, wouldn't you wanna get your hands on him?
 
I have to agree with Andy :eek: Both those moves where legitimate on the last lap don't Block me or I'll Move You for The Win deals! Thats Racin!

I'm not saying I beleive Vickers is a good driver though :D
 
Let me ask you something. IF you were leading and Vickers took you out to win the open, wouldn't you wanna get your hands on him?

Yep, I'd pat him on the back and whisper in his ear "next time it'll be You"
 
I've said many times that Carl is a dirty driver. However unlike Vickers he actually runs up front.

Let me ask you something. IF you were leading and Vickers took you out to win the open, wouldn't you wanna get your hands on him?

And if I was Vickers, I wouldn't care.

Block me on the last lap and you'll be in the infield.
 
I would pick David Reutimann or Brian Vickers. Maybe Elliott Sadler ...

IMO!
 
I think the biggest thing David Ragan has going for him is he's young, handsome, articulate and polite. Sponsor's Dream!
Don't hurt that he Won at Daytona either :D

I'm afraid Rutti's age is going to hurt his chances.
 
Too bad M Martin has a deal, would be a great 1 year seat warmer for someone big to takeover in 2013. If I was Penske, I would Dump the Hornish Idea and all the other lameduck free agents and go after Regan Smith.
 
Who ever it is I am sure it will be a 1 year deal. I bet Pennzoil sponsors Hornish in NNS next year with the goal of putting him in the car by 2013, if not earlier.
 
I was pointing out that he's took people out not only this year. Last lap of the race or the first lap of the race doesn't matter.
Wow, he took out drivers. I wonder if that has ever happened before, even if it was just pulling his chain or something. How long have you been watching racing?
 
I don't think it will be Vickers. I think Roger has had enough drama:owquitit: from Kurt Busch !
 
I sent Penske Racing my resume. Basically saying: I calculate I have made over a million left turns in my life with zero wrecks. And the most important part... fans want "Anyone but Kurt" and I'm not Kurt. :D
 
I sent Penske Racing my resume. Basically saying: I calculate I have made over a million left turns in my life with zero wrecks. And the most important part... fans want "Anyone but Kurt" and I'm not Kurt. :D

I don't know, you sound as crazy as Kurt. :beerbang:
 
I sent Penske Racing my resume. Basically saying: I calculate I have made over a million left turns in my life with zero wrecks. And the most important part... fans want "Anyone but Kurt" and I'm not Kurt. :D

Did you add in there "and not once have I ever cussed out a TV reporter."
 
Basically what Andy said I'd wreck my grandmother to win too.
 
Back
Top Bottom