Silly Season is Underway!
Written by Rich Hemstreet · July 13, 2008
With the NASCAR Sprint Cup teams entering the final week off before the end of their season the driver changes have started in earnest. This has always been dubbed the Silly Season… I’m not sure exactly why. With Casey Mears leaving the Hendrick team Mark Martin moved into a full time slot, with one final run at the elusive title for him. Now the #20 seat has been opened for next season because Tony Stewart is joining forces with the Haas CNC Team. His spot may be taken by 18 year old Joey Logano… although Joe Gibbs is keeping his cards close to his vest on this one.
Apparently Stewart has discussed the second seat on his new team with Ryan Newman. That would leave a seat open at Penske. Of course that depends partly on whether Penske has sponsorship for three full teams next year. Don’t be surprised, if Newman does split, to see Martin Truex Jr. take over the #12 car. Meanwhile, back at DEI they look to fill the #8 seat with Aric Almirola. DEI is going to struggle even more in 2009 if they start the season with out any drivers that know how to win.
I doubt Dario Franchitti will return in the #40 car next year, even if Ganassi finds a sponsor. The only exception I see to that would be if Franchitti pulls off at least one win in his remaining Nationwide starts.
It’s doubtful we’re going to see another big influx of open wheel drivers in 2009. One exception to that thought is the current ARCA driver Scott Speed. He’s only been a couple years away from shifter karts, but he seems to know how to handle a machine with fenders. Red Bull might look to bring him up to the Sprint Cup series next year. Another young ARCA driver is Ricky Stenhouse Jr., the current points leader. He’s had Tony Stewart connections in the past and is currently running in ARCA for Roush Fenway. Maybe he would become a number three driver for the Stewart Haas team if they acquire enough sponsorship next season.
Where will Casey Mears end up? Possibly in the old Truex ride. Or he might jump into a single car team slot, perhaps the #96 car. With all the question marks about sponsorship, this Silly Season should be very interesting before it is over.
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