Happy New Year To All

Hello To Everyone. I wanted to take a moment to wish you and your families a joyous and Happy New Year 2009. Let us all take a moment out of our busy days and say a prayer for our country, economy and those that have been hit the hardest by all the problems that have taken place over the past year. We all have seen drastic changes occur and it is going to take some time to get everything back on track but I believe with all of my heart that our new leadership will get us moving in the right direction.

Take care and if you are out and about tonight, please drive safely.

GEM hires Allmendinger and gives Sadler the boot

As we all sit and recover from Christmas, we yet hear some more news from the scene and the 2009 season has not even started. GEM announced it will be replacing Elliott Sadler, driver of the #19, with AJ Allmendinger. I truly feel sorry for ESad and this situation but his numbers really did not help him any this past year with an average finish of 31st. Allmendinger, who ran the last 5 races for GEM in the #10 impressed them enough for them to make the decision to give AJ the #19 and a full ride for 2009. I have been saying all season that this kid does have talent and given the right tools, he will succeed although I hate to see it happen to ESad. I have always liked Sadler and he brings so much to the sport and is a great spokesman. I hope and pray that he will get another ride before the season kicks off.

GEM is in talks with acquiring Petty Enterprises but nothing is written in stone, more like jello. If the merger does go through, who will pilot the famous #43? Could it be Salder?

In other news from the Nascar Soap Opera Box, Bill Davis has sold the majority of his team and engine company. He was unable to secure sponsorship for the 2009 season and with Catepillar leaving and going to RCR, it left Davis short and after 20 years, he is calling it quits. Just like when the series changed from Winston to Nextel, well now Sprint, all good things come to an end. I want to wish Bill and his family all the luck and happiness in their future.

Bobby Labonte Leaves Petty Enterprises

(How many times have I said it? Location, Location, Location!)


Is anyone really shocked over this? I believe Bobby is doing the right thing by parting ways with Petty Enterprises, especially with how unstable it is. Kyle Petty will also be leaving the organization. I really thought it would be Kyle stepping in to take the reigns but I was sadly mistaken. Boston Ventures, who is the majority owner, just released 39 more employees bringing the total up to 65 since the end of the 2008 Season. Can you say abandon ship!!! Bobby is doing the right thing although he did say he appreciated the opportunity to drive for Richard "The King" Petty, here is what he said, "It was by no means an easy decision. I am, and will always be, very appreciative of what Richard Petty and the Petty family, every employee of Petty Enterprises and members of Boston Ventures did to invest in bettering my career the past three seasons.''

Bobby is now without a ride but there are a few options out there for him and I am sure one of these teams will pick him up. First up Earnhardt-Ganassi and the #41 but with all the turmoil in that organization, I am sure Bobby will turn the other cheek. Now, he may go back to his old team owner over at Joe Gibbs Racing to take over a 4th car which may be the best move for Bobby despite he will be driving a Toyota for the first time in his career but with Stewart departing, Bobby would be a great addition to the young team at Gibbs. Will we see Labonte and Stewart driving on the same team? That is always a possibility. Stewart-Haas racing might be a viable option but I am not sure Bobby would go to a new team just starting out. How about Michael Waltrip Racing? Ummm, No! Yet another organization that looks to be in trouble.

Okay Bobby, if I were you, go with your best bet and that would be at Joe Gibbs Racing. That is my prediction for Bobby, we shall see.

What do you think?