FastCar Newsdesk for week of 7/17/08
Earlier this week, the almost inevitable came true, as Penske Racing South and driver Ryan Newman decided not to remain together for 2009. This decision comes just a few weeks after Newman told the media that he would only stay at Penske, if performance by the No. 12 Alltel team were to improve. With more attractive options on the table for Newman, no noticeable increase in performance by his team, and a sponsorship situation in limbo, Newman has decided that he is ready to test the free agency waters.
The questions Newman now will continue to be asked revolve around where he is going to spend his future. With Tony Stewart and Hass CNC Racing officially an entity, Newman is rumored as being the 2nd driver that will join that team. Newman and Stewart both hail from Indiana and Newman’s old crew chief, Matt Borland, currently is the Director of Competition for the team. Newman says, though, that there are more options than Stewart Hass Racing for him to choose from.
The most attractive opening for 2009 is undoubtedly the team that Tony Stewart left. Unfortunately for Newman, Martin Truex Jr., and the other approximately 20 available free agents, that ride likely will belong to Nationwide Series rookie prodigy Joey Logano.
Other options for Newman include the new 4th team at Richard Childress Racing and DEI. Newman says that he even has an offer from one team that involves ownership.
Just as Stewart’s decision is doing, Newman’s decision for 2009 will affect what other drivers will do. Martin Truex Jr. is also rumored to be on the list to join Stewart’s team and may still, even is Newman does, if sponsorship can be found to start a 3rd team there. Truex and Casey Mears also are rumored to be in the running for RCR’s 4th team, as well.
The vacant seat at Penske Racing also will have some suitors. Martin Truex Jr. and Penske test driver David Stremme are rumored to be on the list for that seat as well.
Dario Franchitti, whose future in the Cup Series is on hold, may also be in the running for that ride. Penske IRL driver Helio Castroneves did announce this week that he will not try and move to the Sprint Cup Series.
Newman’s first few years in NASCAR were fruitful. He signed with Penske Racing in 2000 and ran an ABC (ARCA, Busch, Cup) path to the top of the sport. He won eight races in 2003 with then-crew chief Matt Borland and made the Chase in its first two seasons. Know for his qualifying prowess, Newman has 43 career Cup poles, in 243 starts, to go along with 13 wins, 63 Top 5s, and 105 Top 10s.
JTG Racing going to Cup with Ambrose, Daugherty in 2009
The Brad Daugherty partnership with JTG Racing is leading the team to the big show, as they announced this week that next season they will attempt to run the full Sprint Cup schedule next season. The team will run a No. 47 Ford with sponsorship from Little Debbie Snack Cakes. Marcos Ambrose, who runs for the team in the Nationwide Series, will be the team’s driver. Ambrose is scheduled to run a few races for the team and some others for the Wood Brothers in the No. 21 later this season.
Ambrose made his Cup debut a few weeks ago at Sonoma, running in the Top 5 for much of the race, before spinning out, breaking his transmission, and finishing back in the pack. Ambrose attempted the next week’s race at New Hampshire and failed to qualify.
It is unclear whether Little Debbie’s sponsoring JTG Racing will affect the Wood Brothers’ relationship with the company. Little Debbie has sponsored the No. 21 Ford since 2006.
ESPN analyst and former Truck Series team owner Brad Daugherty and JTG announced a partnership recently, with plans to field two Nationwide Series teams and also revive their shut-down Truck Series program. The Nationwide teams, No. 59 and No. 47, will remain in tact, with drivers Coleman Pressley (former JTG driver Robert Pressley’s son) and Kelly Bires. There now are not plans to field a Truck Series team.
Randy Moss Motorsports debuts at Kentucky this week
The former Morgan Dollar Motorsports team now has the dollars of an NFL star behind it. Earlier this month, Randy Moss announced that he has bought a majority share in the team that has fielded a truck for several years, including three consecutive runner-up points finishes with Dennis Setzer from 2003-2005.
The revitalized team is debuting this week at Kentucky, using Moss’ NFL number, No. 81. The team has not yet secured full sponsorship, but Moss has stated that he is willing to fund the team out of his pocket. Last year’s Rookie of the Year, Willie Allen, is the team’s driver.
NASCAR official Peterson dies
NASCAR technical director Steve Peterson was found dead Tuesday in his home, from what appeared to many on scene as natural causes. Peterson’s work focused on the sport’s safety initiatives, including he development of SAFER barriers and head and neck restraints in cars.
Peterson received the 2006 Society of Automotive Engineers Motorsports Achievement Award, given for contributing to motorsports for a long time period.
Peterson served more than just safety causes in NASCAR, as he served as crew chief for a young Mark Martin in 1982. Peterson was 58 years old.
Motorsports dollars among GM cuts
It is no secret that the auto industry in America is struggling. The big three automakers all have shut down plants, cut back production, laid off workers, and trimmed back marketing costs. General Motors announced this week that they are cutting back many high salaried positions. They also said that money allocated to racing will not remain untouched.
Last week the company said that they were ending many track sponsorships and pace car sponsorships, including at Atlanta Motor Speedway. GM contributes about $30 million per year to NASCAR alone. That amount does not include the money spent on other racing series.
Ragan Chase race bolstered at Chicagoland
Unadilla’s David Ragan is not giving up on his hopes to make the Sprint Chase for the Cup. The driver of the No. 6 AAA Ford Fusion finished solidly in the 8th position at Chicagoland, but moved back one spot to 15th in the standings, because of Brian Vickers’ good finish in the race. Ragan sits 98 points out of 12th.
Ragan’s run in the Nationwide Series race at Chicagoland also was solid, as the No. 6 Discount Tire Ford finished 13th, but Ragan moved back to 6th in the points standings, as Kyle Busch won the race. Busch also won the Cup Series race at Chicagoland, his 7th Cup win this year.
Reed Sorenson’s good luck streak ran out at Chicagoland, as the driver finished 31st. He still sits 32nd in the points. Bill Elliott finished 35th in the race.
This weekend, the Nationwide Series is in Gateway, where Reed Sorenson won last year and has a good track record. Ragan and Canton’s Chase Miller also will be in that race. Miller will pilot the No. 9 Dodge for Gillett Evernham Motorsports. There are no Georgia driver in the Truck Series race at Kentucky; Kyle Busch is running for Georgia’s Billy Ballew Motorsports, in the No. 51.
Tune in to the Bellamy Strickland 120, live from the Golden Moon Hotel and Casino, this Saturday, from 2-4 p.m., on News/Talk 750 WSB, and wsbradio.com
Ford Mustang for sale
