The Silly Season Continues, Next Up

On the list is Ryan Newman. It was just announced that Newman will be leaving Penske Racing at the end of the 2008 Season. Where will the Rocketman land? Rumors are saying he will join Stewarts team or even possibly take over the reigns of the #20 at Joe Gibbs Racing and then even join Richard Childress Racing to be their 4th team in 2009.

Personally speaking I see Ryan going over to Stewarts team next year. He would be a perfect fit for a team that is just starting out under new ownership and Stewart will want experience and not take on any new development drivers. Does this mean that Scott Riggs will be jobless next year? Probably so. Scott Riggs has been busting his butt to keep that #66 in the running week in and week out and to just release him is totally unfair but that is the nature of this business.

Is it me or is NASCAR becoming more and more like the NFL with free agency? It gets to the point where you start to wonder if any driver is safe where he is at nowadays. Of course, the driver will go to whoever offers the most money, which is pretty sad. What has happened to the loyalty? I completely understand that these drivers want to win a championship but to just go somewhere because the money is better is not the right reason. These drivers make plenty of money and it sometimes appears to me that it is greed.

Another driver that is being closely watched is Martin Truex Jr. Where will he go? Rumors are saying he could possibly go to Penske to replace Newman.

Will the madness ever end?

What are your thoughts? Inquiring minds want to know.

The Duece Is On The Loose...

Okay, now where in the heck did Kurt Busch and the #2 team come from? First Pocono and now Michigan. Both of these races were not just won, they were dominated. Everyone has been talking about how Dodge is not making a statement, well it seems that the #2 definitely has their game on and everything in one sock. It is just a shame that his teammate, the #12, can not seem to finish a race or something bad happen.

How about these observations from Michigan:

1. Attendance: I guess not as many people could take off those amount of days to get to see the race. Next time people, make sure you save up that vacation time just in case.

2. Visibility: Was it me, or did you find yourself getting up out of your car to go wipe off your TV set? I hate it when the races are run under this kind of foggy weather but hey at least they got the race in.

3. Moving Forward: Well it is about damn time to see Toyota finish in the Top 1o. Not only in the Top 10 but two Toyota's finishing in the Top 10. Dave Blaney finishing 6th and Vickers finishing 8th. I bet the big wigs at Toyota will be breaking out the good Saki tonight to celebrate.

4. Poor Jeff: He started out really strong but as of late, has not been finishing at the top of his game. Spinning out at Watkins Glen with 2 laps to go and now getting dumped by Kenseth. Now I am not defending either Kenseth or Gordon on that incident. You can decide.

5. No Snow Angels? Here I thought Kurt would do his signature Snow Angel vice pushing up to the wall and doing a burnout. Guess he thought the grass was too soggy after seeing Gordon get stuck.

6. Engines + DEI = Disaster. Do you think Junior and Truex were sweating bullets when they saw what happened to Menard? If DEI wants to stay in contention for the Chase, they better get this engine problem corrected PRONTO!!!

7. 5 Wide? Did you see near the end when they did that? OMG!!! Just when you thought it was safe to go 3 wide.

8. Honey Buns. Quiz question, how many do you think Fatback McSwain ate during the race?

Overall, not a bad race for a Tuesday. I was happy that I am working the swing shift this week so I was able to watch the race on ESPN2 but to be honest, I am not impressed with Rusty Wallace as a commentator. I would love to see them bring back Allen Bestwick to the booth rather then have him down in the pits.

Next up is Bristol and the new pavement. Should be quite interesting. Could this be another race that Kurt could dominate? Hey, anything can happen at Bristol.

Ginn & Budweiser....

Article courtesy of Mike Harper at http://www.spinoutzone.com

Well I was always told never to mix beer and alcohol but it appears that DEI and Ginn Racing will be merging together.

It has been learned an announcement will come on Wednesday merging Dale Earnhardt Inc. with Ginn Racing, in a deal making Mark Martin (No. 01 ARMY), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 8 Budwesier), Martin Truex Jr. (No. 1 Bass Pro Shops) and Paul Menard (No. 15 Menards) teammates for the remainder of the 2007 season.

The deal will become effective immediately, and DEI will acquire all Ginn assets, including its headquarters. Dale Earnhardt Inc., will retain their name, but Bobby Ginn, owner of Ginn Racing will remain a partner in the business. DEI has been looking for land for almost a year because there is no room to expand at the current facility, so this merger will resolve that issue by moving the organization to the Ginn headquarters.

DEI and Ginn employees were told Tuesday that Martin's No. 01 ARMY team will compete under the DEI banner in Sunday's Allstate 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

We've also been told by sources that DEI officials have spoken with Mark Martin about driving the No. 8 Chevrolet, currently driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr., during the 2008 season. Sources said Martin is committed to running at least 22 races for DEI next season and working long-term with DEI's developmental driver program. We have no word if Martin has accepted the No. 8 car offer.

Looks like Mark will never retire, he has too much of that racing in his blood to just stop racing. Go Mark Go!