Some Silly Season rumors you might or might not have heard...

David Gilliland took an upset Nationwide win and landed a Cup ride with Yates Racing, so what will Brad Keselowski do pulling off an upset Cup win with a limited schedule organization?

Dale Jr addressed that he would love to have Brad back in 2010 in his Nationwide car, but nothing was signed. As for Cup, Jr said it would be up to Mr. Hendrick & Brad to decide 2010. That also could be up to current driver Mark Martin. Mark Martin has been told the #5 seat is his as long he wants to continue. After a win in Phoenix, it's likely Martin could return again to the #5 team.

So where does that leave Brad? Several options...Hendrick could run Brad in the #09 team for 2010 w/ Finch using Hendrick equipment or Move Junior Motorsports up to Cup...could the #8 be back with Junior then? It also will make Brad a highly sought after driver.

What we do know is JGR will be looking for a 4th driver.

Rumor is Jamie McMurray will be out at Roush and Crown Royal might be willing to stay with him depending on where he lands.

Elliott Sadler is likely to be gone from RPM, he was able to keep his seat for 2009 after off season drama, but he want keep it again if his performance doesn't improve. Crew chief change already in the works. Reed Sorenson isn't far behind...

Hornish is also in a make or break year with Penske. Driver Kurt Busch is leading the points, David Stremme is inside the Top 25 in year 1, while Hornish continues to struggle with consistency. Not to mention Penske driver Justin Allgaier looks promising.

RCR has seen a major change as Harvick & Mears are 20th & 21st in points, also getting a major shake up with crew changes. While Bowyer & Burton are inside the Top 10. Harvick has been rumored as to possibly following in former RCR driver's Robby Gordon's path and becoming a driver/owner in 2010. Mears hasn't done much with top tier Hendrick & RCR equipment.

Michael Waltrip could hang up his driver suit and stick to being just an owner in 2010, but currently sits inside the Top 25 and has the rest of the season to go...rumor is Martin Truex would join MWR and take over the #55 NAPA Toyota, with Bas Pro Shops leaving DEI to join Stewart Haas Racing.

DEI is in major trouble after already losing the #8 team. If Truex bolts and a top tier driver & sponsor isn't found, Teresa Earnhardt may see the end of DEI. It's known today as EGR, but Ganassi sits in a better position with Juan Pablo Montoya and Target sponsorsphip to stick around.

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By the way...these rumors have come from compiled stories, TV interviews, radio interviews, or other sources. None of this is of my own assumptions or opinions.

Thanks!
Good stuff! I think it is only a matter of time before dominos start falling...
By George, I think you've got it. Great piece Zoom!
The only thing I think is a given is the odd team out (whichever one it is)@ Roush will be absorbed by Yates.
That seems like a very logical choise...but if Crown Royal is willing to follow Jamie to a top tier team, it might be hard to pass upon Joe Gibbs Racing, M&M's has already made a splash with Kyle. FedEx is happy with Hamlin and Home Depot is willing to wait on Joey (for the time being). Landing Crown Royal & Jamie McMurray would be a great way to start a 4th team at JGR.

I'm sure Yates will be begging for any driver with sponsor ties, but Bobby & Paul are both outside the Top 25, and even though Ask.com is pouring lots of money into the sport...it's Hall of Fame that's the owner, not Yates. Losing the #28 to lack of funds was a huge blow to the Yates stable.Yates had hope of returning back to the glory days and hopefully luring sponsors.

The last few years we've seen big names make big moves...Kurt Bush left Roush to join Penske, then Sadler & Jarrett left Yates, then Junior left DEI, and last year Tony & Newman were the headliners. Although Jamie McMurray will be part of the silly season, it will be Martin truex & Kevin Harvick that could be the big names this year making moves. Truex is gone for sure. Harvick will be a wait and see thing. If the season turns around then I expcet him to stay, if not look for Kevin to make some rumblings.
One problem there Zoom.. JGR doesn't believe in having alcohol sponsors. So, if Jamie were to go there, he'd have to have a different sponsor.
If KHI came into Cup that would be awesome...I mean, no way he'd supplant Robby by any means, but Harvick would be cemented as my definitive second-fave then :)
As much as I like seeing Robby run his own team, if he could merge with RCR that would be kick ass. I always loved it when Robby ran a Chevy. And, as a part owner, Richard couldn't say shit about Robby running SCORE, DAKAR, INDY (if he wanted to), TORC, etc. I think RCR's cars have improved since RG left in 04'. Love to see him as a contender in Cup. That said, there's some problems with this idea. Could RCR run with two competing sponsors (Jim Beam, if they stayed with Robby, and Jack Daniels)? How much would owner's stock Richard be willing to part with (I'd say it'd be less than 25%)? How much would Robby be willing to part with RGM's Cup program? It's a dream.. but probably not reality. Getting back to the topic of this post, there's been rumors for a while of Penske going to Toyota. If Penske did go to Toyota could/would RGM merge with them? It'd be great to have some "teammates".
Wow hadn't even thought of that--but I'd rather see Robby in an RGM car than an RCR car. Nothing at all against Childress by any means, but it's just a matter of principle.
I would guess that after Robby is done with his Nascar career, he could dissolve from RCR and go back on his own. Get some young hot shot to run for him, and be able to pick and choose which Cup races he wanted to run. Take notes on someone else's dime, use what you learned from RCR in the COT (or whatever they are running by then). We all know that when Rob is done running full time in cup, he's still going to enter whatever races he feels like running...
Very valid points. And going along with the Penske thing you mentioned above, he is the biggest Toyota dealer in the country--it seems logical that the Captain would run Toys here soon.
Hmm a very pragmatic way of looking at things. I have to agree, although it's definitely a bummer to say.
The only way I see RGM merging with anyone is if the only other choice is closing the doors. Robby is way too independant to drive for anyone and have to accept things on someone elses terms. He might be forced to but I can't imagine he would see it as a win.

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