NASCAR Silly Season 2010-2011

[bradk12fan]

There's been a lot of news,

Robby Gordon Motorsports to Chevy in ALL series, NASCAR, Indycar (2012), and SCORE Off-Road racing. RGM to run atleast the 1st 5 Cup races next season. RGM will run the Indy 500.

Richard Petty Motorsports in financial trouble, Roush holding cars each week until checks from the Gilletts are cleared. The Gilletts are no where to be found. Richard Petty only owns 4% of RPM, is trying to re-take the company. Petty has been shopping the #43 and AJ Allmendinger around to other teams, including Micheal Waltrip Racing. RPM might merge with MWR. Marcos Ambrose and AJ Allmendinger may not have a ride next year.

Travis Pastrana coming to NASCAR:

Travis Pastrana is coming to NASCAR in 2011. After mining gold medals in the X Games, shattering jump records on both motorcycles and automobiles and starring as a cultural icon for the action sports world, the star of MTV's "Nitro Circus" is ready to turn his attention to America's most popular form of motorsports  NASCAR. Michael Waltrip Racing, Gary and Blake Bechtel and Pastrana announced today the creation of Pastrana-Waltrip Racing that will field cars in the NASCAR Nationwide Series beginning in 2011. Pastrana-Waltrip Racing will focus on creating programs that expose the action sports world's fans and participants to NASCAR and develop youth marketing initiatives designed to create greater awareness of both sports. Initial plans are for Pastrana to compete in seven NASCAR Nationwide races in 2011 and twenty races in 2012. "I've been following NASCAR closely for years as a fan of the sport with competing in the sport a life-long dream," Pastrana said. "I decided it was time to try and turn that dream into reality and with the help of the Bechtel family, Michael Waltrip Racing and Wasserman Media Group I'm now one step closer!" Pastrana-Waltrip Racing will field Toyotas out of the Michael Waltrip Racing shop in Cornelius, N.C. Waltrip noted the importance of the youth demographic Pastrana brings to NASCAR.

Kyle Busch Motorsports has been talking to Tony Kanaan and Dan Wheldon about possibly driving some truck races.

KHI and RCR Nationwide teams to merge, Elliott Sadler to run full-time in the Nationwide Series for KHI in the #2. Harvick, Menard, Bowyer, Austin Dillon, and Jeff Burton to split time in the KHI #33.

Brian Scott to drive full-time for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Nationwide Series.

Turner Motorsports bought out Braun Racing. Justin Allgaier to Turner Motorsports in 2011. Turner Motorsports to run 4 cars in the Nationwide series, and 3 trucks in the Truck Series.

Danica Patrick to run a similar schedule in NASCAR next year, will run the 1st 4 Nationwide Series races.

[SLE355]

Wonder what Ambrose will do if it falls through?

Will be very disappointing if that does happen.   

[bradk12fan]

I heard that Ambrose could go to the Wood Brothers or to MWR if the deal falls through. He has sponsorship from Stanley and DeWalt Tools, which would probably follow him. And IF he goes to MWR, he's kind of returning to the team he's leaving since JTG-Daugherty has an alliance with MWR.

[bradk12fan]

Richard Petty Motorsports to close it's doors today, re-open tomorrow with a new name and under new management.

[bpratt]

Richard Petty Motorsports to close it's doors today, re-open tomorrow with a new name and under new management.

And where does that leave the initially signed up drivers for 2011 ??

[SLE355]

Richard Petty Motorsports to close it's doors today, re-open tomorrow with a new name and under new management.

 

Thats good news, the #9 and #43 RPM cars ran well at Homestead. Now, who will be Ambrose crew chief??

[bradk12fan]

I believe Todd Parrott will be Marcos' crew chief.

Also, Brendan Gaughan to Germain Racing's 2nd truck team, will be 2 time champion Todd Bodine's teammate.

And Micheal Annett to go from German Racing's Nationwide team to Rusty Wallace Inc's Nationwide Team.

[bradk12fan]

Hendrick Motorsports announces crew chief changes:

New crew chiefs for Gordon, Martin & Earnhardt Jr.: Hendrick Motorsports has made personnel adjustments in preparation for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, with drivers Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. being teamed with new crew chiefs. Below are the driver-crew chief pairings for each Hendrick Motorsports car, effective immediately:
#5 Chevy, driver: Mark Martin, Crew Chief: Lance McGrew
#24 Chevy, driver: Jeff Gordon; Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
#48 Chevy, driver: Jimmie Johnson; Crew Chief: Chad Knaus
#88 Chevy, driver: Dale Earnhardt Jr.; Crew Chief: Steve Letarte
The cars of Martin and four-time Sprint Cup champion Gordon will be fielded out of the same facility, now known as the 5/24 shop. Earnhardt Jr.'s Chevys will be prepared out of the renamed 48/88 shop alongside those of five-time and defending Cup champion Jimmie Johnson. "This will improve us as an organization, across the board," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "We had a championship season (in 2010), but we weren't where we wanted and needed to be with all four teams. We've made the right adjustments, and I'm excited to go racing with this lineup."(Hendrick Motorsports)(11-23-2010)

from Jayski.com

[SLE355]

Its an interesting shake up! 

[SLE355]

I believe Todd Parrott will be Marcos' crew chief.

Correct you are, looking forward to next season already! 

[MetMan305]

I am very dissapointed at Hendrick Motorsports to change the 48's crew EXCEPT for Knaus, The Car Chief and Pit Coach with the 24 team. And how does the 24 run on 7 cylinders the whole race while Jimmie cruises to a 5th Chamionship?

[SLE355]

I am very dissapointed at Hendrick Motorsports to change the 48's crew EXCEPT for Knaus, The Car Chief and Pit Coach with the 24 team. And how does the 24 run on 7 cylinders the whole race while Jimmie cruises to a 5th Chamionship?

I'd like to see how many mechanical failures JJ has had in chase races compared to the rest of the Hendrick crew. No doubting how good a team the 48 are but they have def had some good luck on there side.

[bradk12fan]

Jeff Gordon's engine failure at Homestead was the only Hendrick Motorsports engine to fail in the entire 2010 season

[bradk12fan]

Possible changes to the Cup Series Points System?:

Points change to be announced in Jan at Daytona? NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France has said repeatedly that the sanctioning body likely will change its points structure again in 2011. Whether winning becomes more of a factor remains to be seen, but expect big changes next season. France is expected to announce the new system Jan. 21, 2011, during winter testing at Daytona International Speedway.(in part from SPEED)(12-5-2010)

Robby Gordon sues sponsor Extenze:

Robby files lawsuit against Extenze: #7-Robby Gordon claims he was used and abused by the people who make Extenze -- claiming he put their logo on a car he owned ... but didn't paying him. Gordon claims Extenze agreed pay if Gordon -- who owns a race car team -- would splash the logo on a car operated by his driver Kevin Conway at NASCAR events in October and November. But when Conway was in danger of falling out of the top 35 in onwers points -- Robby asked the Extenze people if he could personally drive the Extenze car instead. In his lawsuit, filed today in L.A. County Superior Court, Gordon claims the Extenze people initially agreed to the deal ... so he made the switch. It was only after the races, Gordon claims, that Extenze refused to pay him citing breach of contract because he got in the driver's seat instead of Kevin. Gordon wants Extenze to pay him at least $690,000 to settle (paraphrased from TMZ.com)(12-4-2010)

Scott Speed released from Red Bull Racing (not just the NASCAR team):

Scott Speed is officially out at Red Bull Racing: According to Speed's Twitter account, he got the official termination letter last Tuesday. "Not [a] huge surprise," Speed wrote. Speed became expendable when Red Bull Racing signed Kasey Kahne to drive its second Sprint Cup car for the 2011 season before moving to Hendrick Motorsports in 2012. His only hope to remain with the company was if Brian Vickers, who missed most of last season after being diagnosed with blood clots, was unable to return. General manager Jay Frye said before the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway that no complications were expected when Vickers went off blood thinners.(ESPN.com)
AND Red Bull Racing officials confirmed Wednesday the team's contract with Scott Speed has been terminated, effectively ending a seven-year association with the brand. Earlier in the afternoon, Speed revealed on his Twitter account that he had received a termination letter as of Nov. 24. "We have exercised our rights to end the relationship at the end of 2010," according to a statement from the team. "We wish Scott the best of luck in his career." But with Brian Vickers scheduled to return to the team following successful heart surgery -- and Kasey Kahne signed to a one-year deal before heading to Hendrick Motorsports in 2012 -- Speed found himself as the odd man out. It "will for sure be weird being a free agent," Speed wrote.(NASCAR.com)(12-1-2010)

Paul Wolfe to become Brad Keselowski's new Cup Series crew chief after winning the 2010 Nationwide Series Driver's Championship with Brad Keselowski for Penske Racing.

Penske Racing announces new crew chief for Keselowski: Just a few weeks after helping Penske Racing win its first NASCAR championship, Paul Wolfe has been selected to serve as crew chief for one of the most iconic teams in motorsports. Wolfe, who led Penske Racing's #22 Dodge team to the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series title, has been named crew chief of the #2 Miller Lite Dodge team for 2011. Wolfe will continue to work with Brad Keselowski, who will take over as driver of the #2 Dodge beginning next season. In their first season working together, Keselowski and Wolfe proved to be a dynamic combination in 2010. The duo produced six wins and five poles on their way to winning the Nationwide Series championship. The No. 22 Discount Tire/Ruby Tuesday Dodge team also established a new series single-season record with 26 top-five finishes and the team completed all but one lap of competition throughout the 2010 season.
"It's an honor to get the opportunity to be the crew chief of the Penske Racing #2 Miller Lite Dodge team," said Wolfe. "It's been a fantastic 2010 season with Brad and the team and I'm excited about the challenge of moving up to the Cup Series next season and the opportunity to continue build on the legacy of the #2 car team with Brad behind the wheel."
A former driver who accumulated six top-20 finishes in 16 career Nationwide Series starts, Wolfe first became a crew chief in 2006 with Fitz Racing. He moved on to CJM Racing in the Nationwide Series in 2009 before he joined Penske Racing as crew chief of the #22 team in November of last year.
"I'm excited for Paul and I look forward to continuing the momentum and success we had this season in the Nationwide Series," said Keselowski. "We just seemed to click right from the beginning and we look to bring that same magic to the #2 Miller Lite Dodge team in 2011."(Penske Racing)(11-30-2010)
AND Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody has confirmed that Brad Keselowski's 2010 Sprint Cup crewchief, Jay Guy, was released by Penske Racing on Tuesday.(11-30-2010)

David Stremme to start his own Nationwide Series Team:

Stremme starting own team? David Stremme told Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that he is working hard to assemble a NASCAR Nationwide Series team for 2011. "I've got my own shop -- right next door to Rusty Wallace Racing -- and we've got enough room to run a good Nationwide team there. I purchased some Nationwide cars and have all the equipment I need to run them, but it's all about the funding. I might own some of the operation, or maybe someone else will own part of it." Stremme said he has already made a substantial investment in the operation, purchasing cars from "a very good Sprint Cup team. We're changing them all over to Nationwide specs, and we're working hard to make sure we do everything right. I don't want to just be out there, I want to be competitive. And to do that, we need a sponsor. I'm working hard on it, and we've got lots of things working, but nothing's done yet."(Sirius Speedway)(12-3-2010)

Penske to 1 full-time Nationwide Series car, Sam Hornish Jr. to run 1st 5 Cup races, and possibly the Indy 500:

One Nationwide team for Penske? Penske Racing is planning to run three NASCAR Sprint Cup and one Nationwide series team full time in 2011, though the entry for Sam Hornish Jr. is dependent on sponsorship. In 2010, Penske fielded three Sprint Cup teams (with drivers Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski and Hornish) and two Nationwide teams (with drivers Justin Allgaier and Keselowski). Keselowski won the Nationwide Series title, the first NASCAR championship for team owner Roger Penske. Approximately 50 people were laid off from the organization this week, with more cuts expected to come Friday.(Fox Sports)(12-3-2010)

all from Jayski.com

[SLE355]

Possible changes to the Cup Series Points System?

Yeah here's a good change, no points for the #48 

[bradk12fan]

. The rumors that I've heard is that there will be an 'elimination' style points system. In my opinion, the Nationwide and Truck Series need a chase format, and my favorite driver, Brad Keselowski, ran away with the points lead in the Nationwide Series. But then again, if there was no chase, Kevin Harvick would have won the Cup championship this year.

[bradk12fan]

AAA to sponsor Kurt Busch and Helio Castroneves:

AAA sponsoring Kurt Busch in 4 races: Penske Racing and the Automobile Club of Southern California (AAA) will take their partnership to a new level beginning in 2011.The two organizations today announced a multi-year extension of their sponsorship agreement as the Automobile Club of Southern California and its affiliated clubs will sponsor Penske Racing teams competing in both the Sprint Cup Series and the IZOD IndyCar Series. AAA will sponsor the #22 Dodge driven by Kurt Busch in the Sprint Cup Series. In addition, AAA will also extend its support to the IZOD IndyCar Series in 2011 as a sponsor of the #3 Team Penske Dallara/Honda piloted by three-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves. Under the new agreement, the Auto Club will be displayed as primary sponsor for the #22 Dodge driven by Busch in the March 27 race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. Busch will also drive the AAA Dodge at the June 5 race at Kansas Speedway and the AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 6 as part of the Chase. AAA will also be a co-primary sponsor at two other events during the 2011 season - April 17 at Talladega Superspeedway and July 17 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway - and will serve as a major associate sponsor for the balance of the season on the #22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge.(Penske Racing)(12-7-2010)

Eric McClure and Hefty to Tri-Star Motorsports:

McClure to Tri-Star?: UPDATES: Official: The Long John Silver's logos over at Tri-Star Motorsports have been dropped for a reason: former owner Bob Jenkins is no longer involved with the program. A source says the sponsorship money came to an end at Bristol in August, with Mark Smith operating the two-car Nationwide team out of his own pocket ever since. Next season, FRM has no plans to reenter the sport's second-tier division, leaving Tri-Star working to find backing for its Chevys. #34-Jason Keller and #35-Tony Raines have driven the majority of races this season, but with neither driver bringing funding to the program the future for both is unknown.(Frontstretch Newsletter)(11-20-2010)
UPDATE: am told the organization has a driver and sponsor signed for one of their teams in 2011, and a deal pending for the second car.(11-21-2010)
UPDATE 2: hearing that Eric McClure will take the Hefy sponsorship to Tri-Star. An announcement could be made within a couple weeks when all details are worked out.(11-29-2010)
UPDATE 3: After a two-year partnership, Eric McClure and his Hefty sponsorship will not be returning to Team Rensi Motorsports for the 2011 Nationwide Series season. Speaking to Frontstretch, McClure noted that economic realities and differences in priorities ultimately led the two parties to a crossroads during the summer, where the Rensi camp informed McClure that he would not be retained by the team for the 2011 season. Said McClure, "They [Rensi] said from an economic standpoint, our sponsorship parameters did not meet what they felt they needed to run a program with me." McClure and his marketing team have been shopping the Hefty sponsorship since being informed by Rensi that they would not be returning, and have had interest from a number of teams in the Nationwide Series garage. The team will be making an official announcement in the coming weeks.(Frontstretch)(11-30-2010)
UPDATE 4: Eric McClure confirmed to Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that he will move from Team Rensi Racing to Tri-Star Motorsports for the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series, with sponsorship from Hefty. "It does look like that's where we're going to go," said McClure. "We are going to move over to TriStar Motorsports. Things have kind of skyrocketed in the last 24 hours, and it looks like we're going to be able to get the deal done." He said conversations are underway with 2010 Tri-Star drivers Jason Keller and Tony Raines about ways for them to remain involved, adding, "It's a great opportunity for me to go over there and learn from two veterans."(Sirius Speedway)(11-30-2010)
UPDATE 5: TriStar Motorsports owner Mark Smith announced the addition of Eric McClure to the organization's driver line up for 2011, further extending the team's presence in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Beginning with the Drive 4 COPD 300 in Daytona, McClure returns to the Chevrolet family and will pilot TriStar Impalas for a full Nationwide Series season. The Hefty brand, one of the longest-running partners in the Nationwide Series, will continue its relationship with McClure for a sixth consecutive season by serving as primary sponsor in all 34 scheduled events. The team's car number, as well as other program details will be announced at a later date.(TMI PR)(12-7-2010)

from Jayski.com

[bradk12fan]

Scott Speed suing Red Bull:

Speed suing Red Bull: UPDATE: According to a tweet by Scott Speed, "today should be the day my lawyer files this lawsuit against Red Bull...Had to tell my loyal twitter followers before they saw it online". In a later post he made clear that he is looking for a ride for next season, "Sure not easy to find something when u start looking in December but we workin on it! Ill keep ya posted. sure we will find something".(12-8-2010)
UPDATE: The former Formula One driver finished 30th in the standings in his second year in Sprint Cup and said he was notified by fax Nov. 24 that he would not be retained for 2011 by the team operated by the Austrian-based energy drink company. "I'm obviously stupid disappointed that I didn't even get a phone call, not a conversation, not anything from anyone from Austria," Speed said Wednesday in a phone interview. "They all showed up at Miami. None of them spoke a word to me. I got a fax." Speed has said he had a contract for 2011 declined to discuss details, saying he has spoken to a lawyer about his options. "I can't describe how upset I am just over the morality of it," Speed said. "I don't understand how you can treat people like this. Whatever. I know that's not how I treat people." Speed would not comment on the terms of his Red Bull contract because of advice from his attorney. "They thought it was OK to kick me to the curb and not try to do absolutely anything for me," Speed said. "They didn't want to pay me anything. They didn't want to help me get into any other kind of ride. Nothing. They were, 'OK, we're done with you. Thank you for seven-and-a-half years.' Speed wants to continue racing stock cars and would consider a competitive Nationwide or truck team.(Scene Daily)(12-8-2010)

Justin Lofton released from Red Horse Racing; Miguel Paludo to drive full-time for Red Horse Racing, Red Horse Racing resigns Timothy Peters, and Red Horse Racing to 3 trucks teams?:

Lofton part-time in 2011? UPDATE Lofton out; Red Horse gearing up for 2011: During an interview on last night's Inside Alabama Racing radio program on WSNP out of Mobile, Alabama, Justin Lofton said he had sponsorship for ten races in the truck series next year and would mix up the rest of the season with off-road racing.(11-18-2010)
UPDATE: Red Horse Racing co-owner Tom DeLoach told Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway that the team is strongly positioned for 2011, despite major changes in both its driver and crew chief lineup. Veteran Jeff Hensley departed for Kevin Harvick, Inc. recently, effectively swapping jobs with former KHI crew chief Butch Hylton, who will sit atop the pitbox for Timothy Peters at Red Horse in 2011. DeLoach revealed that driver Justin Lofton and 2010 crewchief Mark Rette have left the team. DeLoach revealed that driver Justin Lofton and 2010 crewchief Mark Rette have left the team. . "It was all very cordial, with no hard feelings," he said. "Justin is still not sure where he's going next year, and I think Mark just looked around and decided it was time to go in another direction." Rick Gay will replace Rette, serving as crew chief for newcomer Miguel Paludo. DeLoach has hired former driver Terry Cook to serve as the team's new Competition Director. In stark contrast to 2010, DeLoach said the team is nearly 100% funded for next season. Paludo will drive a fully sponsored entry backed by Stemco Duraline, while Peters' Toyota is already sponsored for 21 of the 25 races. "We ran a third truck last year at Daytona, but were unable to find the financing to have it continue. We're talking to a few people about it and hope to run a three-truck team full-time in 2011."(Sirius-Speedway.com)(12-7-2010)

from Jayski.com

[bradk12fan]

Keyed-Up Motorsports to return:

Keyed Up Motorsports to return: Keyed Up Motorsports plans to attempt and run the first five races of the 2011 season with driver Scott Riggs in the #90 Chevy with Earnhardt Childress engines. Doug Richert will return as the crew chief.(Keyed Up Motorsports)(12-9-2010)

from Jayski.com

[bradk12fan]

Joe Gibbs Racing announces 2011 Nationwide driver/crew chief line-ups:

Gibbs announce 2011 driver/crew chief combos: Joe Gibbs Racing announces that its newest entry into the Nationwide Series which will be driven by Brian Scott, will carry the familiar #11 and have Kevin Kidd as its crew chief. In addition, Adam Stevens, who had previously served as the engineer for JGR's Sprint Cup Series #20 Home Depot Toyota, will assume the crew chief duties on the team's Nationwide Series #20 Toyota entry. Joe Gibbs Racing announced in November that it would field a third Nationwide Series team to be driven by Brian Scott, but was still in the process of finalizing the details to obtain the #11 for the Camry. Kidd, who joined JGR as crew chief on the #20 Nationwide Series team will move over along with his crew to work with Brian and compete for the 2011 Championship. Meanwhile Stevens will move over to the Nationwide Series program after serving as the engineer for JGR's #20 Home Depot Toyota team for the past six years. Joey Logano is expected to run the majority of races in the #20 Camry once again in 2011 representing GameStop and Sport Clips. Pizza Ranch and Interstate Batteries will also return in 2011 and Denny Hamlin is expected to be behind the wheel for several races as the complete schedule for the team is still being finalized. Jason Ratcliff will return as crew chief on JGR's #18 Nationwide Series Toyota as the team seeks to defend its 2010 Nationwide Series Owner's Championship. Kyle Busch, who shattered the Series record with 13 victories in 2010, will once again pilot the car in the majority of races with Z-Line Designs and NOS providing sponsorship. (JGR)(12-9-2010)

Nationwide Series teams to get extra practice, and possibly more testing:

Nationwide teams to get additional practice time at select tracks: NASCAR has informed its Nationwide Series teams that limited testing will return in 2011, a team owner told SB Nation.com on Thursday. In a bulletin to teams, NASCAR said that along with Daytona, the first race weekends at Las Vegas, Bristol, Texas and Iowa will have four hours of additional practice time. The pair of two-hour sessions will occur prior to the start of the regular race weekend schedule. NASCAR met with Nationwide team owners at Phoenix and surveyed them to see which tracks were preferred to get the additional testing time, according to the team owner who spoke with SB Nation. Owners narrowed the choices to Vegas, Bristol, Texas and Iowa (which all were ultimately selected) along with Chicagoland (which didn't make the final cut). NASCAR is giving Nationwide teams additional test time because the series is adjusting to a new car this year. So far, the car has only been raced at Daytona, Michigan, Richmond and Charlotte. Aside from the announced test dates, teams are still forbidden to test at any NASCAR-sanctioned track.(SB Nation)(12-9-2010)

from Jayski.com