Your one-stop shop for all the latest news and rumors about driver and crew changes for 2008.
Team Car numbers Make
Red Bull Racing 83, 84 Toyota
(Updated Jan. 14)
Just the facts: Brian Vickers (83) and A.J Allmendinger (84) are in the first year of multi-year deals. Scott Speed, formerly of Toro Rosso's Formula 1 team, has signed to race in the ARCA Series for Red Bull during the 2008 season. Kevin Hamlin has been signed to crew chief the 83 car for the 2008 season. Jay Frye has joined the organization as general manager.
Rumblings: There were reports that Vickers had a performance clause in his contract and could opt out, but it doesn't appear as if that will happen. His first season at Red Bull has been a struggle with no provisionals or owner points to fall back on. He has missed 11 of 29 races (through Oct. 4), however, when he has made the main event he has held his own, with one top five, four top 10s and an average finish of 24.6. Allmendinger, on the other hand, has missed 16 races (through Oct. 4) and has an average finish of 33.2. The makeup of the team was a recipe for disaster from the start. First off there's Toyota making its debut in the Cup series. Then it fills one of its two seats with Allmendinger, a stock-car novice who had just two Truck Series starts on his NASCAR resume prior to this season. It's appears they've learned from Allmendinger's failures as they're bringing along Speed in a more appropriate developmental manner. Speed may -- and most likely will -- see part-time action in Busch and/or Cup in 2008 in addition to ARCA.
Penske Racing 2, 12, 77 Dodge
(Updated Dec. 21)
Just the facts: Kurt Busch (No. 2) and Ryan Newman (No. 12) have multi-year deals that run through at least the 2009 season. Three-time IndyCar series champion Sam Hornish Jr. will make the leap to NASCAR, taking the reigns of the dormant 77 car with Mobil 1 as sponsor. Penkse will transfer the owner points from Busch's team to Hornish Jr.'s team, guaranteeing him a spot in the field for the first five races. Chris Carrier will serve as crew chief. Longtime Penske Racing president Don Miller retired. Mike Nelson, who worked as Newman's crew chief in 2007, was promoted to VP of operations. Roy McCauley will move into the role of crew chief for Newman.
Rumblings: Penske's transfer of Busch's points to Hornish should have little impact on the No. 2 team as Busch will have the past champion's provisional to fall back on. Hornish struggled to qualify for races on speed while learning on the fly in 2007. Newman had his ups and downs in 2007, and he was the centerpiece of a few rumors. Should he get off to a slow start in 2008, expect the rumors to pick up again. McCauley served as Busch's crew chief in 2006 and for the first half of the 2007 season, until stepping down due to an illness in the familly.
Michael Waltrip Racing 00, 55, 44 Toyota
(Updated Dec. 14)
Just the facts: Dale Jarrett will run run the first five races of 2008 in the 44 car and then step down as a full-time driver in the Cup Series. After the first five races, David Reutimann, who signed an extesnion taking him through 2010 and will start the season in the 00, will jump into the 44 car with UPS continuing as the car's sponsor. Michael Waltrip will continue to drive the 55 car with NAPA as sponsor. Paul Andrews will serve as crew chief for Waltrip, while Ryan Pemberton will work with Reutimann. Bill Pappas will crew chief Jarrett during his five-race stint.
Rumblings: It was an awful season for the first-year organization and to say sponsors weren't happy would be an understatement. Waltrip was the worst of the three, and stepped aside for Terry Labonte in the two road course races as well as the Brickyard 400. Long term, though, he's not ready to give up his seat in the 55 permanently. A previous press release revealed that Waltrip planned to field three full-time teams in 2008, but there was no mention made of who would replace Reutimann in the 00 once he made the switch to the 44. NASCAR.com reported it may be go to developmental drivers Josh Wise or Michael McDowell.
Dale Earnhardt Inc. 01, 1, 8, 15 Chevrolet
(Updated Dec. 12)
Just the facts: A slew of changes are in store for DEI in 2008. On July 25, DEI completed a merger with Ginn Racing and immediately became a four-car operation with the 01 car, co-driven by Mark Martin and Aric Almirola joining the mix. Bobby Ginn will be listed as the owner of the 01 and the 15 car, driven by Paul Menard, as part of his stake. Ginn Racing's work shop is also part of the deal. Due to a personality clash with his stepmother Teresa, Dale Earnhardt Jr. (8) is leaving the team that shares his name to join Hendrick Motorsports in 2008. The 2008 lineup will be as so: Martin Truex Jr. in the 1, Menard in the 15, Martin and Almirola will move from the 01 to the 8 (with U.S. Army as the sponsor), and Regan Smith will drive a fourth car with a yet to be announced number and sponsor. Tony Eury Sr., who had been serving on DEI's research and development team, has left to join JR Motorsports as director of competition, while Tony Eury Jr. is moving to Hendrick to continue as Earnhardt Jr.'s crew chief. Doug Randolph will move over from Petty Enterprises' No. 43 car to serve as crew chief for Menard. Doug Richert will work with Smith..
Rumblings: A lot of moving parts as DEI moves on without Earnhardt Jr. No more Budweiser, which has the organization scrambling for a fourth sponsor, so don't put Smith in a fourth car just yet. Smith was the odd man out for a bit as he had been splitting the 01 with Martin for much of the season. Ginn had announced that Smith was going to replace Sterling Martin in the No. 14 on a full-time basis, but before he got the chance, the merger was announced. So Smith went from part-time ride, to full-time ride to no ride in an instant. The team was a finalist for Kyle Busch, but he opted to join Joe Gibbs Racing. Ryan Pemberton had been scheduled to crew chief the 8 car, but left for Michael Waltrip Racing.
Petty Enterprises 43, 45 Dodge
(Updated Nov. 27)
Just the facts: Jeff Meendering will replace Doug Randolph, who was hired by DEI, as Bobby Labonte's crew chief in 2008. Meendering, 30, comes over from Hendrick Motorsports where he served as car chief of the 24 car the past two seasons. Kyle Petty will again man the wheel of the 45 car. The organization will move its main operations from Level Cross, N.C. to Mooresville, N.C., leasing space previously occupied by Robert Yates Racing
Rumblings: Petty Enterprises had been housed in Level Cross since 1949, but the move puts the organization much closer to NASCAR's epicenter in Charlotte. There's also been talk for a couple of months about a merger or partnership with Gillett-Evernham Motorsports, but as of yet nothing has been signed. The Petty's almost seem reticent about possibly losing their indentity by making such a deal. It appeared Kyle was setting the stage for his retirement, stepping out of the car for five races in 2007, but barring a last minute move he'll be in the 45 car for a majority of the races in 2008. Chad McCumbee made an impression subbing for Petty in a couple of events and could be somebody the team targets for a developmental deal.
Wood Brothers/JTG Racing 21 Ford
(Updated Nov. 20)
Just the facts: Ken Schrader and Jon Wood were scheduled split time in the No. 21 in 2007, but when the car fell out of the top 35 in owner points, Bill Elliott joined the fold in order take advantage of his champion's provisionals and guarantee starting spots in the field. Wood ended up participating in only one Cup race, finishing 29th at Las Vegas in March. It has been announced in 2008, Marcos Ambrose will drive the No. 21 in 12 events with Little Debbie as sponsor. Ambrose will also continue to drive the organization's No. 59 Busch car.
Rumblings: We don't know what the plan here is anymore. Clearly the youngster Wood isn't ready to make the jump full-time. It's still to be determined who Ambrose will share the seat with. Elliott? Schrader? Wood? Stacy Compton?
Chip Ganassi Racing 40, 41, 42 Dodge
(Updated Nov. 20)
Just the facts: 2007 IndyCar Series champion and Indy 500 champion Dario Franchitti has signed a multi-year contract with the organization and will replace David Stremme in the 40 car in 2008. Fastenal will replace Coors Light as the primary sponsor on the car. Reed Sorenson (41) and Juan Pablo Montoya (42) complete the driver lineup.
Rumblings: Stremme was told back in August that he wouldn't return to the 40 car. Stremme started the season in promising fashion, but it wasn't long before results tailed off. Dan Wheldon, who drives for Ganassi in the IndyCar Series, had tossed around the idea of a switch to NASCAR. Wonder whether he's upset that Ganassi didn't choose him to make the move or if he decided to stay in the IndyCar ranks at part of a mutual decision? Montoya's seat is likely safe as long as he has interest in driving in the series. Like Stremme, Sorenson has struggled this season, but he's only 21 and is believed to have more upside.
Roush-Fenway Racing 6, 16, 17, 26, 99 Ford
(Updated Nov. 15)
Just the facts: David Ragan (6), Matt Kenseth (17), Greg Biffle (16), Jamie McMurray (26) and Carl Edwards (99) are all under contract for next season. Kenseth's crew chief Robbie Reiser has been promoted to general manager of the team's Cup operations.
Rumblings: The Reiser move comes as somewhat of a surprise as he and Kenseth seemed to have rediscovered their chemistry toward the end of the season. Last year, though, when they struggled down the stretch, such a move was speculated but never came to fruition. Reiser replaces Max Jones, who is joining Yates Racing. There's plenty of room for improvement at Roush as only Kenseth and Edwards advanced to the Chase. Though McMurray finally won a race under the Roush banner in 2007, he has been a major disappointment. There were rumors Biffle was on the outs, but he'll be back next year, though expect the rumors to quickly heat back up if he doesn't sign a contract extension during the offseason. How much patience will Roush have with Ragan, who had only two top 10s in 2007?
Yates Racing 38, 88 Ford
(Updated Nov. 15)
Just the facts: Robert Yates is retiring as an owner and turning over the operation to son Doug. The new organization will be called Yates Racing. The Sept. 7 announcement of the elder Yates' retirement renounced the July 27 merger with Champ Car's Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing. Instead, Yates Racing will work in association with Roush Fenway Racing. Travis Kvapil has been tabbed to replace Ricky Rudd as pilot of the No. 88 car. Rudd is stepping down as a full-time driver at the end of the season. David Gilliland, driver of the No. 38 car, has signed an extension taking him through 2008. Max Jones, longtime general manager at Roush Racing, has joined the organization as co-owner and general manager.
Rumblings: It became apparent over the past couple years that the day-to-day business of running a top NASCAR organziation was wearing thin with Robert Yates. Landing sponsors had become a problem and we're not sure Doug is going to have much better luck in that department. Both cars may need new sponsors and Kvapil and Gilliland aren't going to be easy sells. The merger with Newman/Haas/Lanigan seemed awfully strange. A closer partnership with Roush Fenway Racing makes much more sense. There was no word on the status of Stephen Leicht during the Sept. 7 announcement. He appears to have a nice upside. Yates would be wise to keep him in the fold.
Hall of Fame Racing 96 Toyota
(Updated Nov. 9)
Just the facts: Jeff Moorad, CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Tom Garfinkel, the team's COO, have bought controlling interest from Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman. J.J. Yeley will replace Tony Raines in the No. 96. Brad Coleman has signed a deal in which he'll run at least seven Cup races for the organization in 2008 before joining the team full-time in 2009. The organization will continue its alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing and switch manufacturers from Chevrolet to Toyota.
Rumblings: Could this be a way for Joe Gibbs Racing to get around NASCAR's team limit coming down the pipeline in a couple years? While partnerships between teams have become commonplace over the past couple of seasons, the alliance between these two seems especially close with Yeley and Coleman both coming over from JGR. Coleman, 19, will be driving full-time in the Nationwide Series in 2008 for Brewco Motorsports, which drives under the Ford banner.
Bill Davis Racing 22, 36 Toyota
(Updated Oct. 26)
Just the facts: Jeremy Mayfield failed to last the season with BDR. He was granted his release and has moved to Haas CNC Racing. Mike Skinner and Johnny Benson will split the final four races of the season in the 36 car. Owner Bill Davis said he's planning to run former Formula One and CART champion Jacques Villeneuve in at Cup car next season with Slugger Labbe as crew chief.
Rumblings: We said last year that Mayfield wasn't a good fit here ... and, well, we were right. Mayfield needs stability that he wasn't going to get with a first-year start-up team. Davis has tried several crew chief combos with Mayfield, but nothing has been able to jumpstart the team. Villeneuve, 36, and his business manager Craig Pollock may end up buying part or all of the organization, but as of the moment nothing official has been announced. Dave Blaney is expected back in the No. 22.
Haas CNC Racing 66, 70 Chevrolet
(Updated Oct. 26)
Just the facts: The organization has signed Scott Riggs for the 2008 season. Effective Oct. 22, Jeremy Mayfield, who had been driving the 36 car for Bill Daivs Racing, has replaced Jeff Green in the 66 car for the rest of the season. Mayfield's deal runs through 2008, but he may drive with a different car number.
Rumblings: There's a slight possibility the organization will expand to three cars and Johnny Sauter (70) will be retained, but it doesn't appear likely. Through 32 races, Green and Sauter combined for a total of five top 10 finishes.
Joe Gibbs Racing 11, 18, 20 Toyota
(Updated Oct. 18)
Just the facts: The organization is switching manufacturers from Chevrolet to Toyota starting in 2008. Tony Stewart (No. 20) is signed through 2009. Denny Hamlin hasn't slowed a bit from his stellar rookie campaign. His job in the No. 11 appears safe for many years to come. Kyle Busch will replace J.J. Yeley in the No. 18 car. M&M's will replace Interstate Batteries as the car's primary sponsor.
Rumblings: Sounds as if one of the main reasons JGR made the manufacturer switch was to be the big fish in a small pond. Seems they didn't like sharing GM with Hendrick Motorsports, RCR and DEI. JGR made it no secret that Yeley was on the hot seat as he had been unable to keep pace with teammates Stewart and Hamlin. JGR showed little interest in adding Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the mix. In a somewhat surprising move, JGR has lost developmental driver Brad Coleman to Brewco Motorsports, where he'll run a full Nationwide schedule for the 2008 season. This comes on the heels of setting Aric Almirola free to sign with Dale Earnhardt Inc. Coleman has been impressive in part-time duty in the Busch Series and appeared to be a rising star, but they didn't have a full-time Nationwide seat available next season, opting to fill the sponsored rides with Stewart, Hamlin and Busch.
Gillett Evernham Motorsports 9, 10, 19 Dodge
(Updated Oct. 11)
Just the facts: On Aug. 6 it was announced that George Gillet Jr. has taken a controlling interest in Evernham Motorsports, forming Gillet Evernham Motorsports. Gillett is the owner of the Montreal Canadiens National Hockey League (NHL) team and a co-owner of the Liverpool Football Club in the English Premier League. Gillett’s other business interests include the Bell Centre, home of the Montreal Canadiens and Gillett Entertainment Group (GEG), producers of some 700 sporting and entertainment events in numerous venues throughout Canada and the United States. Evernham will retain an ownership stake and remains the organization's CEO. Kasey Kahne (9) signed a long-term extension last season. Terms weren't disclosed, but the deal will reportedly take him through 2010. He will have Budweiser as his primary sponsor starting in 2008. Former open-wheeler Patrick Carpentier will replace Scott Riggs in the driver lineup in 2008. Riggs has signed with Haas CNC Racing for next season. Elliott Sadler's status for next year and beyond unknown.
Rumblings: Perhaps a new persepective is just what this organization needed to find its focus. On the track, it has been a mess of a season for all three of its teams. Off the track, Evernham came clean about his relationship with Erin Crocker. The organization wooed Kyle Busch, but he opted to sign with Joe Gibbs Racing. The organization hopes to get Carpentier into a couple of Busch and Cup races before season's end. In addtion to full-time Cup work, he will likely run a partial schedule in the Nationwide Series next season.
Richard Childress Racing 3, 07, 29, 31, 33 Chevrolet
(Updated Sept. 26)
Just the facts: Kevin Harvick (29) signed a contract extension last season that should take him through 2009. Jeff Burton (31) signed a contract extenstion this season, taking him through 2010. The contract status of Clint Bowyer is unknown.
Rumblings: Series sponsor Nextel and AT&T, Burton's sponsor on the 31 car, have reached a compromise. AT&T can sponsor Burton with their logos through the end of the 2008 season, but RCR will need a new sponsor for 2009 and beyond. Where RCR stood in the Dale Earnhardt Jr. derby is unknown -- it's suspected RCR's engine partnership with DEI turned Jr. off. RCR was also interested in Kyle Busch, but he will join Joe Gibbs Racing, replacing J.J. Yeley. So with slim pickings on the free-agent market, it looks like plans for a fourth car have been put off until 2009. According to NASCAR.com, Childress says he'll probably continue to run Scott Wimmer, who is driving in select Busch and Cup races for RCR in 2007, on a part-time basis. According to multiple reports, Childress had talked to IndyCar's Dario Franchitti about possilby making a move to Cup, but it appears if Franchitti does take a stab at NASCAR it will be with Chip Ganassi Racing.
Hendrick Motorsports 5, 24, 48, 88 Chevrolet
(Updated Sept. 19)
Just the facts: Dale Earnhardt Jr. signed a five-year deal with Hendrick Motorsports, replacing Kyle Busch, who was granted his release. Tony Eury Jr. will join him as crew chief. His new car number will be 88 and Mountain Dew/Amp Energy/National Guard will sponsor the car. Casey Mears will move to the No. 5, with Kellogg's/CARQUEST continuing as the car's sponsor. Alan Gustafson will serve as his crew chief, while Darian Grubb, Mears' current crew chief in the 25 car, will move into a senior competition role. Jeff Gordon (24) and Jimmie Johnson (48) complete the 2008 lineup.
Rumblings: Earnhardt Jr. couldn't have jumped to a better organization as Hendrick drivers have absolutely dominated in 2007. If Jr. can't win a title with Hendrick, then he's just not long to win a title. Hendrick said Busch's departure came as a mutual decision as several teams were bidding for his services. No doubt Hendrick grew tired of Busch's petulance and immaturity as well, which made him expendable.
Ginn Racing 01, 13, 14 Chevrolet
(Updated July 25)
Just the facts: Effective July 25, Ginn Racing is no more as owner Bobby Ginn has joined forces with Dale Earnhardt Inc. under the DEI banner. The team's racing's facilities and 01 team are part of the deal. The points from the No. 14 will be transferred to DEI's No. 15, but otherwise the No. 13 and No. 14 have closed up shop.
Rumblings: Ginn Racing was on the higest of highs after Martin's near victory in the Daytona 500 and stellar start. But with Martin sliding in the standings while working only part-time, the luster quickly wore off. The organization, with the sky-high goal of becoming a big-time player in NASCAR the likes of Hendrick Motorsports and Roush Racing, tried to lure Dale Earnhardt Jr. into the fold, but never stood much of a chance. They were also rebuffed by Kyle Busch. And so, instead of being able to strike while the iron was hot and build off Martin's early success, all of a sudden, Ginn was simply trying to stay afloat. What's strange is that only a week before the merger it was announced that Joe Nemechek (13) and Sterling Marlin (14) had been dismissed and that Regan Smith, who had been splitting time with Mark Martin in the 01 car, was going to take over full-time driving duties from in the No. 14. Aric Almirola had been granted his release from Joe Gibbs Racing and was going to assume Smith's part-time assignment in the 01. With the move to DEI, Almirola will remain Martin's co-pilot, with Smith's status still to be determined.
Robby Gordon Motorsports 7 Ford
(Updated June 25)
Just the facts: Robby Gordon is the owner/driver of the single-car operation.
Rumblings: Gordon knows he has to expand if he want to keep up with the Joneses. Paul Menard, currently with DEI, has been most prominently linked a second car, because Menard's has been a long-time sponsor of Gordon's road-racing activities. Another possibility could be J.J. Yeley if he's let go at Joe Gibbs Racing.
Team Car numbers Make
Red Bull Racing 83, 84 Toyota
(Updated Jan. 14)
Just the facts: Brian Vickers (83) and A.J Allmendinger (84) are in the first year of multi-year deals. Scott Speed, formerly of Toro Rosso's Formula 1 team, has signed to race in the ARCA Series for Red Bull during the 2008 season. Kevin Hamlin has been signed to crew chief the 83 car for the 2008 season. Jay Frye has joined the organization as general manager.
Rumblings: There were reports that Vickers had a performance clause in his contract and could opt out, but it doesn't appear as if that will happen. His first season at Red Bull has been a struggle with no provisionals or owner points to fall back on. He has missed 11 of 29 races (through Oct. 4), however, when he has made the main event he has held his own, with one top five, four top 10s and an average finish of 24.6. Allmendinger, on the other hand, has missed 16 races (through Oct. 4) and has an average finish of 33.2. The makeup of the team was a recipe for disaster from the start. First off there's Toyota making its debut in the Cup series. Then it fills one of its two seats with Allmendinger, a stock-car novice who had just two Truck Series starts on his NASCAR resume prior to this season. It's appears they've learned from Allmendinger's failures as they're bringing along Speed in a more appropriate developmental manner. Speed may -- and most likely will -- see part-time action in Busch and/or Cup in 2008 in addition to ARCA.
Penske Racing 2, 12, 77 Dodge
(Updated Dec. 21)
Just the facts: Kurt Busch (No. 2) and Ryan Newman (No. 12) have multi-year deals that run through at least the 2009 season. Three-time IndyCar series champion Sam Hornish Jr. will make the leap to NASCAR, taking the reigns of the dormant 77 car with Mobil 1 as sponsor. Penkse will transfer the owner points from Busch's team to Hornish Jr.'s team, guaranteeing him a spot in the field for the first five races. Chris Carrier will serve as crew chief. Longtime Penske Racing president Don Miller retired. Mike Nelson, who worked as Newman's crew chief in 2007, was promoted to VP of operations. Roy McCauley will move into the role of crew chief for Newman.
Rumblings: Penske's transfer of Busch's points to Hornish should have little impact on the No. 2 team as Busch will have the past champion's provisional to fall back on. Hornish struggled to qualify for races on speed while learning on the fly in 2007. Newman had his ups and downs in 2007, and he was the centerpiece of a few rumors. Should he get off to a slow start in 2008, expect the rumors to pick up again. McCauley served as Busch's crew chief in 2006 and for the first half of the 2007 season, until stepping down due to an illness in the familly.
Michael Waltrip Racing 00, 55, 44 Toyota
(Updated Dec. 14)
Just the facts: Dale Jarrett will run run the first five races of 2008 in the 44 car and then step down as a full-time driver in the Cup Series. After the first five races, David Reutimann, who signed an extesnion taking him through 2010 and will start the season in the 00, will jump into the 44 car with UPS continuing as the car's sponsor. Michael Waltrip will continue to drive the 55 car with NAPA as sponsor. Paul Andrews will serve as crew chief for Waltrip, while Ryan Pemberton will work with Reutimann. Bill Pappas will crew chief Jarrett during his five-race stint.
Rumblings: It was an awful season for the first-year organization and to say sponsors weren't happy would be an understatement. Waltrip was the worst of the three, and stepped aside for Terry Labonte in the two road course races as well as the Brickyard 400. Long term, though, he's not ready to give up his seat in the 55 permanently. A previous press release revealed that Waltrip planned to field three full-time teams in 2008, but there was no mention made of who would replace Reutimann in the 00 once he made the switch to the 44. NASCAR.com reported it may be go to developmental drivers Josh Wise or Michael McDowell.
Dale Earnhardt Inc. 01, 1, 8, 15 Chevrolet
(Updated Dec. 12)
Just the facts: A slew of changes are in store for DEI in 2008. On July 25, DEI completed a merger with Ginn Racing and immediately became a four-car operation with the 01 car, co-driven by Mark Martin and Aric Almirola joining the mix. Bobby Ginn will be listed as the owner of the 01 and the 15 car, driven by Paul Menard, as part of his stake. Ginn Racing's work shop is also part of the deal. Due to a personality clash with his stepmother Teresa, Dale Earnhardt Jr. (8) is leaving the team that shares his name to join Hendrick Motorsports in 2008. The 2008 lineup will be as so: Martin Truex Jr. in the 1, Menard in the 15, Martin and Almirola will move from the 01 to the 8 (with U.S. Army as the sponsor), and Regan Smith will drive a fourth car with a yet to be announced number and sponsor. Tony Eury Sr., who had been serving on DEI's research and development team, has left to join JR Motorsports as director of competition, while Tony Eury Jr. is moving to Hendrick to continue as Earnhardt Jr.'s crew chief. Doug Randolph will move over from Petty Enterprises' No. 43 car to serve as crew chief for Menard. Doug Richert will work with Smith..
Rumblings: A lot of moving parts as DEI moves on without Earnhardt Jr. No more Budweiser, which has the organization scrambling for a fourth sponsor, so don't put Smith in a fourth car just yet. Smith was the odd man out for a bit as he had been splitting the 01 with Martin for much of the season. Ginn had announced that Smith was going to replace Sterling Martin in the No. 14 on a full-time basis, but before he got the chance, the merger was announced. So Smith went from part-time ride, to full-time ride to no ride in an instant. The team was a finalist for Kyle Busch, but he opted to join Joe Gibbs Racing. Ryan Pemberton had been scheduled to crew chief the 8 car, but left for Michael Waltrip Racing.
Petty Enterprises 43, 45 Dodge
(Updated Nov. 27)
Just the facts: Jeff Meendering will replace Doug Randolph, who was hired by DEI, as Bobby Labonte's crew chief in 2008. Meendering, 30, comes over from Hendrick Motorsports where he served as car chief of the 24 car the past two seasons. Kyle Petty will again man the wheel of the 45 car. The organization will move its main operations from Level Cross, N.C. to Mooresville, N.C., leasing space previously occupied by Robert Yates Racing
Rumblings: Petty Enterprises had been housed in Level Cross since 1949, but the move puts the organization much closer to NASCAR's epicenter in Charlotte. There's also been talk for a couple of months about a merger or partnership with Gillett-Evernham Motorsports, but as of yet nothing has been signed. The Petty's almost seem reticent about possibly losing their indentity by making such a deal. It appeared Kyle was setting the stage for his retirement, stepping out of the car for five races in 2007, but barring a last minute move he'll be in the 45 car for a majority of the races in 2008. Chad McCumbee made an impression subbing for Petty in a couple of events and could be somebody the team targets for a developmental deal.
Wood Brothers/JTG Racing 21 Ford
(Updated Nov. 20)
Just the facts: Ken Schrader and Jon Wood were scheduled split time in the No. 21 in 2007, but when the car fell out of the top 35 in owner points, Bill Elliott joined the fold in order take advantage of his champion's provisionals and guarantee starting spots in the field. Wood ended up participating in only one Cup race, finishing 29th at Las Vegas in March. It has been announced in 2008, Marcos Ambrose will drive the No. 21 in 12 events with Little Debbie as sponsor. Ambrose will also continue to drive the organization's No. 59 Busch car.
Rumblings: We don't know what the plan here is anymore. Clearly the youngster Wood isn't ready to make the jump full-time. It's still to be determined who Ambrose will share the seat with. Elliott? Schrader? Wood? Stacy Compton?
Chip Ganassi Racing 40, 41, 42 Dodge
(Updated Nov. 20)
Just the facts: 2007 IndyCar Series champion and Indy 500 champion Dario Franchitti has signed a multi-year contract with the organization and will replace David Stremme in the 40 car in 2008. Fastenal will replace Coors Light as the primary sponsor on the car. Reed Sorenson (41) and Juan Pablo Montoya (42) complete the driver lineup.
Rumblings: Stremme was told back in August that he wouldn't return to the 40 car. Stremme started the season in promising fashion, but it wasn't long before results tailed off. Dan Wheldon, who drives for Ganassi in the IndyCar Series, had tossed around the idea of a switch to NASCAR. Wonder whether he's upset that Ganassi didn't choose him to make the move or if he decided to stay in the IndyCar ranks at part of a mutual decision? Montoya's seat is likely safe as long as he has interest in driving in the series. Like Stremme, Sorenson has struggled this season, but he's only 21 and is believed to have more upside.
Roush-Fenway Racing 6, 16, 17, 26, 99 Ford
(Updated Nov. 15)
Just the facts: David Ragan (6), Matt Kenseth (17), Greg Biffle (16), Jamie McMurray (26) and Carl Edwards (99) are all under contract for next season. Kenseth's crew chief Robbie Reiser has been promoted to general manager of the team's Cup operations.
Rumblings: The Reiser move comes as somewhat of a surprise as he and Kenseth seemed to have rediscovered their chemistry toward the end of the season. Last year, though, when they struggled down the stretch, such a move was speculated but never came to fruition. Reiser replaces Max Jones, who is joining Yates Racing. There's plenty of room for improvement at Roush as only Kenseth and Edwards advanced to the Chase. Though McMurray finally won a race under the Roush banner in 2007, he has been a major disappointment. There were rumors Biffle was on the outs, but he'll be back next year, though expect the rumors to quickly heat back up if he doesn't sign a contract extension during the offseason. How much patience will Roush have with Ragan, who had only two top 10s in 2007?
Yates Racing 38, 88 Ford
(Updated Nov. 15)
Just the facts: Robert Yates is retiring as an owner and turning over the operation to son Doug. The new organization will be called Yates Racing. The Sept. 7 announcement of the elder Yates' retirement renounced the July 27 merger with Champ Car's Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing. Instead, Yates Racing will work in association with Roush Fenway Racing. Travis Kvapil has been tabbed to replace Ricky Rudd as pilot of the No. 88 car. Rudd is stepping down as a full-time driver at the end of the season. David Gilliland, driver of the No. 38 car, has signed an extension taking him through 2008. Max Jones, longtime general manager at Roush Racing, has joined the organization as co-owner and general manager.
Rumblings: It became apparent over the past couple years that the day-to-day business of running a top NASCAR organziation was wearing thin with Robert Yates. Landing sponsors had become a problem and we're not sure Doug is going to have much better luck in that department. Both cars may need new sponsors and Kvapil and Gilliland aren't going to be easy sells. The merger with Newman/Haas/Lanigan seemed awfully strange. A closer partnership with Roush Fenway Racing makes much more sense. There was no word on the status of Stephen Leicht during the Sept. 7 announcement. He appears to have a nice upside. Yates would be wise to keep him in the fold.
Hall of Fame Racing 96 Toyota
(Updated Nov. 9)
Just the facts: Jeff Moorad, CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Tom Garfinkel, the team's COO, have bought controlling interest from Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman. J.J. Yeley will replace Tony Raines in the No. 96. Brad Coleman has signed a deal in which he'll run at least seven Cup races for the organization in 2008 before joining the team full-time in 2009. The organization will continue its alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing and switch manufacturers from Chevrolet to Toyota.
Rumblings: Could this be a way for Joe Gibbs Racing to get around NASCAR's team limit coming down the pipeline in a couple years? While partnerships between teams have become commonplace over the past couple of seasons, the alliance between these two seems especially close with Yeley and Coleman both coming over from JGR. Coleman, 19, will be driving full-time in the Nationwide Series in 2008 for Brewco Motorsports, which drives under the Ford banner.
Bill Davis Racing 22, 36 Toyota
(Updated Oct. 26)
Just the facts: Jeremy Mayfield failed to last the season with BDR. He was granted his release and has moved to Haas CNC Racing. Mike Skinner and Johnny Benson will split the final four races of the season in the 36 car. Owner Bill Davis said he's planning to run former Formula One and CART champion Jacques Villeneuve in at Cup car next season with Slugger Labbe as crew chief.
Rumblings: We said last year that Mayfield wasn't a good fit here ... and, well, we were right. Mayfield needs stability that he wasn't going to get with a first-year start-up team. Davis has tried several crew chief combos with Mayfield, but nothing has been able to jumpstart the team. Villeneuve, 36, and his business manager Craig Pollock may end up buying part or all of the organization, but as of the moment nothing official has been announced. Dave Blaney is expected back in the No. 22.
Haas CNC Racing 66, 70 Chevrolet
(Updated Oct. 26)
Just the facts: The organization has signed Scott Riggs for the 2008 season. Effective Oct. 22, Jeremy Mayfield, who had been driving the 36 car for Bill Daivs Racing, has replaced Jeff Green in the 66 car for the rest of the season. Mayfield's deal runs through 2008, but he may drive with a different car number.
Rumblings: There's a slight possibility the organization will expand to three cars and Johnny Sauter (70) will be retained, but it doesn't appear likely. Through 32 races, Green and Sauter combined for a total of five top 10 finishes.
Joe Gibbs Racing 11, 18, 20 Toyota
(Updated Oct. 18)
Just the facts: The organization is switching manufacturers from Chevrolet to Toyota starting in 2008. Tony Stewart (No. 20) is signed through 2009. Denny Hamlin hasn't slowed a bit from his stellar rookie campaign. His job in the No. 11 appears safe for many years to come. Kyle Busch will replace J.J. Yeley in the No. 18 car. M&M's will replace Interstate Batteries as the car's primary sponsor.
Rumblings: Sounds as if one of the main reasons JGR made the manufacturer switch was to be the big fish in a small pond. Seems they didn't like sharing GM with Hendrick Motorsports, RCR and DEI. JGR made it no secret that Yeley was on the hot seat as he had been unable to keep pace with teammates Stewart and Hamlin. JGR showed little interest in adding Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the mix. In a somewhat surprising move, JGR has lost developmental driver Brad Coleman to Brewco Motorsports, where he'll run a full Nationwide schedule for the 2008 season. This comes on the heels of setting Aric Almirola free to sign with Dale Earnhardt Inc. Coleman has been impressive in part-time duty in the Busch Series and appeared to be a rising star, but they didn't have a full-time Nationwide seat available next season, opting to fill the sponsored rides with Stewart, Hamlin and Busch.
Gillett Evernham Motorsports 9, 10, 19 Dodge
(Updated Oct. 11)
Just the facts: On Aug. 6 it was announced that George Gillet Jr. has taken a controlling interest in Evernham Motorsports, forming Gillet Evernham Motorsports. Gillett is the owner of the Montreal Canadiens National Hockey League (NHL) team and a co-owner of the Liverpool Football Club in the English Premier League. Gillett’s other business interests include the Bell Centre, home of the Montreal Canadiens and Gillett Entertainment Group (GEG), producers of some 700 sporting and entertainment events in numerous venues throughout Canada and the United States. Evernham will retain an ownership stake and remains the organization's CEO. Kasey Kahne (9) signed a long-term extension last season. Terms weren't disclosed, but the deal will reportedly take him through 2010. He will have Budweiser as his primary sponsor starting in 2008. Former open-wheeler Patrick Carpentier will replace Scott Riggs in the driver lineup in 2008. Riggs has signed with Haas CNC Racing for next season. Elliott Sadler's status for next year and beyond unknown.
Rumblings: Perhaps a new persepective is just what this organization needed to find its focus. On the track, it has been a mess of a season for all three of its teams. Off the track, Evernham came clean about his relationship with Erin Crocker. The organization wooed Kyle Busch, but he opted to sign with Joe Gibbs Racing. The organization hopes to get Carpentier into a couple of Busch and Cup races before season's end. In addtion to full-time Cup work, he will likely run a partial schedule in the Nationwide Series next season.
Richard Childress Racing 3, 07, 29, 31, 33 Chevrolet
(Updated Sept. 26)
Just the facts: Kevin Harvick (29) signed a contract extension last season that should take him through 2009. Jeff Burton (31) signed a contract extenstion this season, taking him through 2010. The contract status of Clint Bowyer is unknown.
Rumblings: Series sponsor Nextel and AT&T, Burton's sponsor on the 31 car, have reached a compromise. AT&T can sponsor Burton with their logos through the end of the 2008 season, but RCR will need a new sponsor for 2009 and beyond. Where RCR stood in the Dale Earnhardt Jr. derby is unknown -- it's suspected RCR's engine partnership with DEI turned Jr. off. RCR was also interested in Kyle Busch, but he will join Joe Gibbs Racing, replacing J.J. Yeley. So with slim pickings on the free-agent market, it looks like plans for a fourth car have been put off until 2009. According to NASCAR.com, Childress says he'll probably continue to run Scott Wimmer, who is driving in select Busch and Cup races for RCR in 2007, on a part-time basis. According to multiple reports, Childress had talked to IndyCar's Dario Franchitti about possilby making a move to Cup, but it appears if Franchitti does take a stab at NASCAR it will be with Chip Ganassi Racing.
Hendrick Motorsports 5, 24, 48, 88 Chevrolet
(Updated Sept. 19)
Just the facts: Dale Earnhardt Jr. signed a five-year deal with Hendrick Motorsports, replacing Kyle Busch, who was granted his release. Tony Eury Jr. will join him as crew chief. His new car number will be 88 and Mountain Dew/Amp Energy/National Guard will sponsor the car. Casey Mears will move to the No. 5, with Kellogg's/CARQUEST continuing as the car's sponsor. Alan Gustafson will serve as his crew chief, while Darian Grubb, Mears' current crew chief in the 25 car, will move into a senior competition role. Jeff Gordon (24) and Jimmie Johnson (48) complete the 2008 lineup.
Rumblings: Earnhardt Jr. couldn't have jumped to a better organization as Hendrick drivers have absolutely dominated in 2007. If Jr. can't win a title with Hendrick, then he's just not long to win a title. Hendrick said Busch's departure came as a mutual decision as several teams were bidding for his services. No doubt Hendrick grew tired of Busch's petulance and immaturity as well, which made him expendable.
Ginn Racing 01, 13, 14 Chevrolet
(Updated July 25)
Just the facts: Effective July 25, Ginn Racing is no more as owner Bobby Ginn has joined forces with Dale Earnhardt Inc. under the DEI banner. The team's racing's facilities and 01 team are part of the deal. The points from the No. 14 will be transferred to DEI's No. 15, but otherwise the No. 13 and No. 14 have closed up shop.
Rumblings: Ginn Racing was on the higest of highs after Martin's near victory in the Daytona 500 and stellar start. But with Martin sliding in the standings while working only part-time, the luster quickly wore off. The organization, with the sky-high goal of becoming a big-time player in NASCAR the likes of Hendrick Motorsports and Roush Racing, tried to lure Dale Earnhardt Jr. into the fold, but never stood much of a chance. They were also rebuffed by Kyle Busch. And so, instead of being able to strike while the iron was hot and build off Martin's early success, all of a sudden, Ginn was simply trying to stay afloat. What's strange is that only a week before the merger it was announced that Joe Nemechek (13) and Sterling Marlin (14) had been dismissed and that Regan Smith, who had been splitting time with Mark Martin in the 01 car, was going to take over full-time driving duties from in the No. 14. Aric Almirola had been granted his release from Joe Gibbs Racing and was going to assume Smith's part-time assignment in the 01. With the move to DEI, Almirola will remain Martin's co-pilot, with Smith's status still to be determined.
Robby Gordon Motorsports 7 Ford
(Updated June 25)
Just the facts: Robby Gordon is the owner/driver of the single-car operation.
Rumblings: Gordon knows he has to expand if he want to keep up with the Joneses. Paul Menard, currently with DEI, has been most prominently linked a second car, because Menard's has been a long-time sponsor of Gordon's road-racing activities. Another possibility could be J.J. Yeley if he's let go at Joe Gibbs Racing.
