Phoenix Racing plans to return: Earlier this season, word in the garage was that #09-Phoenix Racing owner James Finch was looking to sell his Nationwide Series racing operation. But Friday at Homestead, the veteran Florida car owner said he'd have both cars in Daytona for Speedweeks 2011. "I didn't have any sponsorship for the Nationwide car so I cut it [schedule] back and run more Cup races," Finch said. "And next year I'll run it part-time if I can find some sponsorship -- I'm going to keep it all in place, definitely run Daytona and all the plate races -- about a half-dozen." Finch said he hadn't yet spoken to new parent Ryan Newman, who most recently drove his car. In the past three seasons, in 92 Nationwide starts, Finch has a win -- with Mike Bliss at Charlotte in 2009 -- eight top-five and 35 top-10 finishes. "I'm planning on running all the Cup races, probably with a mix of drivers there, again," Finch said. "We're going to run the first five [races] and try to get into the top 35 [in the owners' points]. We're talking to some sponsors, but we haven't got anything confirmed yet -- but I know we'll be at Daytona."(NASCAR.com)(11-23-2010)

C&J Energy to sponsor Labonte and Phoenix Racing: Back behind the wheel of the #09 Phoenix Construction Chevrolet, Bobby Labonte and Phoenix Racing are prepared for Sunday's Tums Fast Relief 500 event at Martinsville. This will be the first of three races that C&J Energy Services will serve as the primary sponsor for the #09 Phoenix Racing Chevy. With over 320 laps led at Martinsville Speedway, and a Hendrick prepared engine under the hood, Labonte is well prepared for this weekend's event.(Breaking Limits)(10-19-2010)

Stavola Labonte Racing taps another labonte to drive: Preparing for their second of three scheduled NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events in 2010, Stavola Labonte Racing heads to the Charlotte Motor Speedway this Saturday night for the Bank of America 500. Chief Operating Officer and co-owner Terry Labonte announced that his younger brother, and two-time Charlotte Motor Speedway winner, Bobby Labonte will pilot the #10 Gander Mountain Chevy for this race only. Terry will be back behind the wheel for the last race of the season in Texas as he prepares for 2011. Once again, the car will be powered by Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines and sponsored by Gander Mountain with associate sponsorship from American Cement. The team has been busy as they continue to make plans for Terry to race in 2011 under the Stavola Labonte Racing banner. Comments from COO and Team Co-Owner Terry Labonte Heading into Charlotte: "Everyone is really looking forward to Charlotte. With Bobby being a past champion, we can concentrate on the race, and that's important for a new team like ours. Bobby has proven he can do well at Charlotte. I'll be back in the car at Texas. Billy, and everyone with this team, is still working hard putting all the pieces together for next season. Obviously we're concentrating on this weekend and getting the best results for Gander Mountain. It was great to be back at Richmond, and that has everyone motivated. We feel good about the progress we're making.(Stavola Labonte Racing/Breaking Limits)(10-11-2010)

Labonte to the #47?: Bobby Labonte is the leading candidate to drive the #47 Toyota for JTG Daugherty Racing in 2011, multiple sources confirmed Tuesday. JTG Daugherty Racing will be the sixth team in four years for Labonte, who left Petty Enterprises after the 2008 season. In 2009, he drove for Hall of Fame Racing in a #96 Ford fielded by Yates Racing for much of the year but found himself out of a ride late in the season. He drove the remaining races for #71 TRG Motorsports and started 2010 with that organization. He left that seat in June when the team began having to park early in events because of a lack of funding. He has driven for Robby Gordon Motorsports and Phoenix Racing in the months since then and will be back in a TRG car this weekend at Pocono Raceway. The 2000 Cup champion, Labonte has 602 career Cup starts with 21 victories. The 46-year-old Labonte will replace Marcos Ambrose, who announced Tuesday he was parting ways with the team after the 2010 season. A Bobby Labonte spokesman declined to comment.(SceneDaily)(7-28-2010)

Finch shutting down at end of year? UPDATE: #09-Car owner James Finch's hopes of putting together a deal with fellow owner Rick Hendrick for driver Kasey Kahne for 2011 appear to have fallen through. Now Finch appears back on plan to shut down his entire NASCAR operation. He first raised that possibility in April.(MikeMulhern.net)(7-26-2010)
UPDATE: Phoenix Racing and James Finch want to set the record straight. “I have not talked to Rick Hendrick about putting Kasey Kahne in my car, and furthermore I haven’t talked to Kasey! Obviously I would l like to provide the car for them next year, who wouldn’t” Finch stated, “I also have had no opportunities to sell my team to Mark Martin” said Finch “I haven’t talked with Mike Mulhern, and I have no intentions of closing Phoenix Racing” Finch stated “I am definitely looking for sponsorship for my Cup team and Nationwide cars. Times are tough, but we are moving forward and will entertain all sponsorship opportunities".(Phoenix Racing)(7-27-2010)

600th Consecutive Start for Labonte: Once again, 2000 Sprint Cup champion #09-Bobby Labonte will hit another career landmark this weekend. Two weeks ago, Labonte made his 600th career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start. This weekend, during the Brickyard 400 at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Labonte will be making his 600th consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup start. The all-time NASCAR Sprint Cup mark is held by one of the most respected, well-liked drivers to ever walk into the Sprint Cup garage. Ricky Rudd ended his career with an amazing 788 consecutive starts. Labonte is ranked seventh on the NASCAR Sprint Cup records.(Breaking Limits), see stats about consecutive starts on my Sprint Cup statistics page.(7-20-2010)

Labonte to Race at Indianapolis for Phoenix Racing: Phoenix Racing and team owner James Finch announced today that 2000 Sprint Cup champion Bobby Labonte will be back behind the wheel of the #09 Phoenix Construction Chevy for the Brickyard 400 at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 25. Labonte is the 2000 winner of the event and one of only nine drivers to have won this prestigious race. Labonte will also be making his 600th consecutive start in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. That mark currently lists him seventh in overall consecutive starts. Ricky Rudd is the all-time consecutive starts leader at 788. "I've got to thank James Finch and Phoenix Racing for allowing me to get my 600th consecutive race with them at Indianapolis Motor Speedway," said Labonte. "We had some discussion about future races at Daytona, and we were able to put a deal together for the Brickyard 400. I like working with the guys and appreciate this opportunity. The Brickyard is such a memorable race. To be able to have this race as my 600th consecutive start is really cool. I didn't sit down at the beginning of my career and plan any milestones, so this is pretty cool." It will be Labonte's third start for Phoenix Racing after racing for the team at both Daytona and Chicagoland.(Breaking Limits)(7-9-2010)

Coke Zero sponsoring Labonte at Daytona: #09-Phoenix Racing announced that Coke Zero brand will sponsor the team and Coca-Cola Racing Family member Bobby Labonte for Saturday night's Coke Zero 400 at the Daytona International Speedway. Coke Zero will commemorate driver Bobby Labonte's 600th Sprint Cup Series start. Labonte will also be serving as the Grand Marshall for Coke Zero during the race event. Labonte is an original member of the Coca-Cola Racing Family.(Breaking Limits PR)(7-2-2010)

Labonte to Make 600th Start in Daytona: Hitting another milestone, 2000 Sprint Cup champion Bobby Labonte will be making his 600th career start and his 598 consecutive start this weekend. Labonte will be racing for Phoenix Racing and the #09 Phoenix Construction Chevy in Saturday night's Coke Zero 400 at the infamous 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway. Labonte's 600th start will rank him 20th in overall Career Sprint Cup starts. Richard Petty is the all-time leader with 1,185 Career Sprint Cup starts. Labonte will also be supporting a new red, white and blue helmet, to help raise awareness for the Hope For The Warriors non-profit organization. Another helmet will be signed by the participating drivers of the Coke Zero 400. Both helmets will be auctioned off after this weekend's events. Bobby Labonte has 35 starts, earned two pole positions, five top-five and eight top-10 finishes and has over 68 laps led at Daytona.(Breaking Limits PR),see the list of all time start on my Misc Stats page.(7-1-2010)

Labonte talks about leaving TRG and future: When Bobby Labonte starts the 2010 Brickyard 400, he will be making his 600th consecutive start. Well, for right now, that’s if Labonte starts the 2010 Brickyard 400. Labonte likely will have a ride for that event – considering he is a past Cup champion (he won the title in 2000) and has access to past champion provisionals. So even if a team isn’t in the top 35, he’d be in the race. But Labonte was prepared last Monday to see that streak end this weekend. He was prepared to leave TRG Motorsports and the #71 car because he couldn’t stomach the start-and-park plan for the organization’s unsponsored races. He had done three of them and that was enough. He didn’t have a ride until Tuesday afternoon when he got a call from Robby Gordon, who needed someone to drive his car while he went to Argentina on a business trip for his off-road racing team. The streak – which includes all but two of his career Cup races – is not that huge a deal to Labonte, who is driving for Gordon this weekend at New Hampshire and then #09 Phoenix Racing the next two weekends at Daytona and Chicago. Gordon has talked about entering a second car [#07 Toyota] for Labonte at Indianapolis but nothing is certain yet. “It’s there, but it’s not like one of those things I’ve got to sit there and say, ‘Hey, I’m only doing it because of that,’” Labonte said about the streak. “I’m doing this because of the passion I have for it and what I want to do." It is possible that Labonte will drive for #71 TRG Motorsports in a few races later this year if the races are fully funded. Beyond that, he is not sure what will happen for him after Chicago and into 2011. “It’s pretty early in the year to be looking,” Labonte said. “It’s good to be looking that far ahead but we’re not quite there yet [where teams are deciding for 2011].”(SceneDaily)(6-27-2010)

Labonte to run #09 car for two race: Phoenix Racing and team owner James Finch announced that Bobby Labonte will drive the team's #09 Chevy in a two-race agreement. Labonte will race the #09 Chevy in the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 3rd. He is also slated to drive the LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on July 10th for the team. The team will compete for wins in both events. "It's good to know that we'll have a past champion in our car for these two races," said team owner James Finch. "I've known Bobby for a while and he always works hard behind the wheel. This is a good opportunity for us to race for a win." Labonte, a veteran of the Coca-Cola Racing Family, will be making his 600th career start at Daytona during the Coke Zero 400. The team is currently looking for sponsorship for the two events and will secure Labonte for additional events if sponsorship can be acquired. "Any driver wants the chance to win at Daytona," said Labonte. "It's awesome that James has given me this opportunity and also the chance to compete at Chicagoland. I'm looking forward to these two races and making my 600th start at Daytona during the Coke Zero 400."(Breaking Limits / PR)(6-23-2010)

Hendrick says many options for Kahne in 2011: Rick Hendrick says he has a lot more options for Kasey Kahne in 2011 than he expected when he first signed the Richard Petty Motorsports driver in April. The owner of Hendrick Motorsports offered no timeline for when a decision might be made, even though he originally said a deal should be in place within 90 days. "A lot of it is just waiting for the right time and the right deal," Hendrick said Friday at Infineon Raceway after being inducted into the track's Wall of Fame. "I haven't been in a hurry. We've got some good options and there are new deals coming out every day. I get unbelievable calls from people in this garage. We're just not ready to pull the trigger yet." Hendrick discounted a report that said Kahne would drive the #09 car for James Finch and Phoenix Racing next year before replacing Mark Martin in the #5 at HMS in 2012. That report also said Martin could take over part ownership of Phoenix Racing in 2012. Phoenix Racing officials said no conversations with Hendrick have taken place. "I don't know where that rumor came from," Hendrick said. Kahne said he and Hendrick spoke on Friday and that his 2011 situation wasn't part of the conversation. "I didn't even ask anything about next year and he didn't bring it up, either," Kahne said. "We were just talking about other stuff, so I would say there is no new news." Among the speculated possibilities for Kahne next year, in addition to Phoenix Racing, have been Stewart-Haas Racing and Red Bull Racing. Hendrick did say that Kahne would be in a Chevrolet, and Red Bull currently fields Toyotas. "The biggest problem with us, with me and the whole situation is I want to make the right decision for him and our company," Hendrick said. "I'm not really procrastinating as much as I'm trying to let everything unfold."(ESPN.com)(6-18-2010)

Kahne to the #09 car in 2011? UPDATE 2: Hendrick Motorsports and James Finch are working on a partnership to put Kasey Kahne in the #09 Chevy for 2011. Multiple sources indicate the deal could be completed within the next few weeks. Hendrick will not be allowed to own the car under NASCAR's four-team rule, leaving Finch in the position of ownership, although engines and chassis would continue to come from Hendrick. Once completed, the partnership solves the HMS dilemma of where to put Kahne next season. Signed to take over the #5 Chevy in 2012, Kahne leaves RPM at the end of the year but Hendrick already has four signed drivers -- Mark Martin, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson -- under contract for 2011. Stewart-Haas Racing was the first option for Kahne, but sources claim sponsorship and financial constraints for that team have made such a move impossible.
Instead, the partnership with Phoenix Racing is a compromise solution. Under a one-year deal, Kahne will be installed with a single-car team that gives him the opportunity to continue running full-time. Here's the kicker: once Kahne moves to HMS, sources claim the man he's replacing, Mark Martin, may be interested in purchasing the Phoenix team for 2012 as he scales back his driving career. Spokesmen on both sides have denied a deal is in the works. According to Hendrick spokesman Jesse Essex, "Our position with regard to 2011 has not changed. We continue to be open to various options, and nothing has been determined at this time." The 51-year-old Martin also remains uncommitted to his future beyond 2011."(Sports Illustrated)(6-11-2010)
UPDATE: Kasey Kahne said he's still unsure where he'll drive next season, even with a report on Sports Illustrated's Web site that states he could be driving for James Finch's single-car team next season. "I've never even heard of that until just now,'' Kahne said Friday at Michigan International Speedway. "There's so many teams that have talked to Mr. Hendrick about 'Could we do this? Could we try this? Could we do this?' '' Kahne said. "There's a lot of them in the garage area trying to work something out with myself.''(Roanoke Times)(6-12-2010)
UPDATE 2: There's some pretty big racing news concerning Lynn Haven's James Finch who is working on a way to run a full cup schedule next season with his Phoenix team! Finch who last April, scored his only Cup victory with Brad Kesolowski handling the wheel in Talladega, says he's talking with Rick Hendrick of Hendrick Motorsports about putting driver Kasey Kahne into the #09 Phoenix car for a fulltime Cup season in 2011. Kahne needs a seat, and if Hendrick and Kahne can help Phoenix racing attact a big time sponsor, it just might all fit together and help Finch realize his lifelong dream of running fulltime on the Cup circuit. Finchsays his Nationwide team will run about 8 more races this season, with Ryan Newman driving. Finch says that team remains up for sale, but because of the economy, and how tough it is to find sponsors, he's not getting many serious bids for that team.(wjhg.com / NASCAR Examiner)(6-15-2010)

Magnussen to run at Infineon for Phoenix Racing: Jan Magnussen, who has more than 100 worldwide road racing victories to his credit, will attempt to qualify Phoenix Racing's #09 Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet for the June 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA. "We're extremely excited to have a road racer of this caliber available to drive for us at Sonoma," said James Finch, owner of Phoenix Racing. "Jan has tested Sprint Cup cars in the past, and his résumé speaks for itself. He will give us an opportunity to not only qualify well, but run up front and compete." A native of Denmark, Magnussen's experience includes starts in Formula 1, IndyCar, CART, Grand Am and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). The 36-year-old driver has competed in some of the most prestigious events in motor sports, including wins at Le Mans, Sebring and Petit Le Mans. A General Motors factory driver, Magnussen is a three-time world karting champion, a British Formula 3 champion (1994) and earned the ALMS title with six race wins in 2008. He is a four-time Le Mans class winner for Corvette Racing. "It's no secret that NASCAR has been a goal of mine, and I'm very appreciative of the opportunity Phoenix Racing is providing," Magnussen said. "Through my relationship with GM, I've had the chance test for Hendrick Motorsports, so I'm comfortable in the Sprint Cup cars and understand what to expect. I'm quite familiar with the racetrack and confident in my ability to compete at a high level. It will be an exciting weekend, and I look forward to the entire experience."(Phoenix Racing)(6-11-2010)

Phoenix Racing for sale: James Finch, owner of Phoenix Racing, has put his Sprint Cup and Nationwide teams up for sale. Finch who owns Phoenix Construction, said he has spent close to $2 million of his own money since February, when Phoenix Racing lost its primary sponsor, Miccosukee Resort and Gaming. Finch said The Miccosukee Tribe elected a new chairman who discontinued a contract to sponsor 35 Nationwide and 18 Sprint Cup races, leaving Phoenix without the majority of its financial backing. Finch, 59, said Phoenix will finish this season, and that he hopes to sell an “up-and-running team.” After considering his options since the end of last season, Finch came to the decision to sell his racing operation a couple of weeks ago. Finch said he is asking $12 million for nine acres in Spartanburg, S.C., where his racing team is located. Included are 35-40 cars, two houses, a 70,000-square-foot shop and equipment including the trailers. Since publicly announcing Saturday that Phoenix was for sale, Finch said he has received about 100 inquiries, of which “one or two might be legitimate.” Finch said he is meeting with prospective buyers this week in Texas. Finch said he plans to sell his #09 Sprint Cup and #1 Nationwide teams as a package, or his Nationwide team individually. He won’t sell his Sprint Cup team without the Nationwide team included. Phoenix will honor its season-long contract with Nationwide driver James Buescher, and has used two drivers, Aric Almirola and Mike Bliss, in its Cup car. Finch said he considered shuttering or selling Phoenix before the start of this season, but had season-long contracts to honor. He already had paid Hendrick to use its motors and was committed to running in all 35 Nationwide races. He wants to finish this season and ensure his employees are placed for next season. Finch said that when Miccosukee backed out of its deal with Phoenix, he had to reconsider his strategy for this season and settled on a limited Sprint Cup schedule. After everything that’s transpired during the first two months of the season, it wasn’t a difficult decision to sell, Finch said. “That’s not that hard if you’ve been doing that as long as I’ve been doing it,” Finch said. “It’s time. I used to know everyone in the garage and they all changed out over the years.(News Herald Writer)(4-27-2010)

Bliss named to the #09 ride UPDATE: Mike Bliss and Tommy Baldwin Racing [#36 Checy] have parted ways, effective immediately. Bliss will replace Aric Almirola at Phoenix Racing. Bliss ran five of the first seven races for Baldwin. He failed to qualify at Bristol and last week at Phoenix. TBR is currently 38th in owner points. "Mike has been rock solid in qualifying with a Cup car," Phoenix crew chief Marc Reno said. "We were struggling and we have to make races to keep our guys working. We're trying to survive until we can land a sponsor. Everybody loves Aric. But we needed someone that could qualify for races. (Owner) James (Finch) has helped Aric out in trucks and if we were in a better position, we'd love to bring him up to speed in Cup as well."(FoxSports)(4-13-2010)
UPDATE: Mike Bliss told Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody Tuesday that just moments after parting company with Tommy Baldwin Racing this week, he was offered a chance to return to the #09 Phoenix Racing Chevy. "We missed a couple of races, and last week (at Phoenix) obviously didn’t go too good," said Bliss. "I did a lot of thinking about what I thought was wrong with the car, and honestly I wondered for a while if it was me. I had a meeting with Tommy Baldwin on Monday, and obviously didn't feel very good about the way that meeting went. The ironic thing is that for the third time in my career, James Finch called before I was hardly even out the door to offer me a job." Bliss said the team may be forced to continue as a start-and-park entry this weekend at Texas, but, "James wants to run (the full race) at Talladega where they won a year ago with Brad Keselowski. They are talking with one sponsor in particular that they are hopefull will pay off."(Sirius Speedway)(4-14-2010) Share

Almirola leaves #09 team: Aric Almirola, who qualified for four of the first seven Sprint Cup races for Phoenix Racing, said Monday he has mutually agreed to part ways with the team and will focus on competing for the Camping World Truck Series title with Billy Ballew Motorsports. Phoenix Racing lost its sponsorship from Miccosukee Resort & Gaming prior to the start of the season and has dropped out of the four races with Almirola within 60 laps. “We both agreed it was time to do something different,” Almirola said in a phone interview. “I am going to focus a lot more on my truck program, which is really important to me and Billy Ballew Motorsports and all the guys over there.(Scene Daily)(4-12-2010)

#09 Team loses sponsor: James Finch learned late Thursday afternoon that Miccosukee Resort and Gaming will no longer sponsor his Phoenix Racing teams. Finch had a contract for the full Nationwide Series schedule (#1-James Buescher) and 18 Sprint Cup races (#09-Aric Almirola) but when the Chairman of the Miccosukee tribe Billy Cypress lost the last election, Phoenix Racing became sponsor-less for Daytona and beyond. “They’re not going to do anything,” Finch said of the Miccosukee future involvement in NASCAR. “We had a contract, but our only recourse is to go in front of the tribal council and that’s not a case I’m going to win. If it was back in the old days, I could go in the parking lot and steal some hubcaps to race, but no one uses hubcaps anymore.” Although Finch attempted to make light of the situation, he seemed more distressed by his inability to lock into the Daytona 500 field. Finch won the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega last spring but was 38th in points after running just 27 Cup races. “If I could buy my way into the Daytona 500 I would,” Finch said. “Losing my sponsor isn’t going to keep me from racing next Sunday. I could finish fourth in the 150s and go home. The rules are (messed) up. I’m not going to pay more for the points than I can get for winning. I've seen a lot of people come and go from this sport. I stay because I'm a racer. But when you get to where you can’t race because of the rules, that’s B.S.”(FoxSports)(2-5-2010)

Phoenix Racing gets assoc sponsor: Graceway Pharmaceuticals along with Billy Ballew Motorsports announced the continuation of their partnership for the 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Season. In 2010, Aric Almirola will be the driver of the #51 Graceway Pharmaceuticals Toyota for Billy Ballew Motorsports. Nate Monteith will join Almirola in a second Graceway sponsored Tundra for Billy Ballew Motorsports in seven of the 2010 truck series events. Graceway Pharmaceuticals will also be the associate sponsor on the #09 James Finch NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car with Aric Almirola piloting the entry in 2010. The AKAwareness.com design will return this year. Graceway's sponsorship is part of a national public education campaign to raise awareness of actinic keratosis (AK) - a potential early warning sign of skin cancer - as well as the long-term consequences of sun damage over a lifetime.(Billy Ballew Motorsports)(2-4-2010)

Miccosukee sponsorship leaving the sport?: Sponsorship from Miccosukee Indian Gaming in all three of NASCAR's national series - Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Trucks - could be terminated as a result of an early February vote by the Indian tribe. The tribe, which runs Miccosukee Resort and Gaming located in Miami and along the southeastern edge of the Florida Everglades, elected a new chairman, Colley Billie, on Jan. 5 who campaigned on promoting a new and "proactive" economic development platform. Several sources confirmed the tribe plans a Feb. 4 vote to decide whether it will continue its sponsorship in NASCAR, which includes Cup [#09-Almirola] and Nationwide teams [#1-James Buescher] to be fielded in 2010 by team owner James Finch and a Truck team [#18] owned and driven by Kyle Busch. The chances the NASCAR sponsorships will continue are considered slim, sources said.(Charlotte Observer)(1-26-2010)

Almirola in the #09 car for full season? UPDATE: hearing Aric Almirola will drive the #09 Phoenix Racing car in 2010. The team plans on running the full 2010 season in Sprint Cup. No word if the team will remain a Chevy/Dodge team or form an alliance with another team or switch manufacturers.(1-9-2010)
UPDATE: Aric Almirola said he will drive the #09 Phoenix Racing car in 2010. The former Earnhardt Ganassi Racing driver said the plan is to compete in all the races in the James Finch-owned car. “I went into Homestead [last year] having no idea what I was going to do [in 2010],” Almirola said Saturday at the Sprint Sound and Speed event. “Over the winter months, I was pleased to find out that I’m going to run the #09 Cup car. … I talked with James about it. His plan is to go full-time. [We’re] still working on a lot of things. When I got off the phone with him just the other day, it was, ‘We’re going racing, and the rest will take care of itself.’ Hopefully we can get everything situated in the next couple of weeks." Almirola drove in eight races last year. He finished 29th at New Hampshire in September in his lone start for the Phoenix Racing organization. “I’ve asked them, ‘Are we going to race or start and park? What’s our plan?’” Almirola said. “[Finch] told me, ‘Just get in and drive it.’ So I’m excited. I’m looking forward to 2010. I’m ready.” Almirola said he also plans to run a Billy Ballew Motorsports truck in select races this year.(SceneDaily)(1-10-2010)

Driver schedule from Bristol in Aug. thru Homestead
Bristol - 8/22, Aric Almirola
Atlanta - 9/6, Mike Bliss
Richmond - 9/12, Brad Keselowski
New Hampshire - 9/20, Almirola
Dover - 9/27, Bliss
Kansas - 10/4, Bliss
Auto Club Speedway - 10/11, Bliss
Charlotte - 10/17, TBA
Martinsville - 10/25, Sterling Marlin
Talladega - 11/1, Keselowski
Texas - 11/8, Bliss
Phoenix - 11/15 TBA
Homestead - 11/22 Stremme
(updated 11/6/2009)

Brad Keselowski 2009 Sprint Cup Schedule in the #09 Chevy
Daytona - 2/15, DNQ
Talladega - 4/26, WON
New Hampshire - 6/28, 6th
Daytona - 7/4, 24th
Richmond - 9/12, 9th
Talladega - 11/1

Brad Keselowski 2009 Sprint Cup Schedule in the #25 Chevy
Las Vegas - 3/1, 13th
Texas - 4/5, 40th
Darlington - 5/9, 7th
Dover - 5/31, DNQ
Chicago - 7/11, 29th
Michigan - 8/16, 12th
Kansas - 10/4, 13th
Charlotte - 10/17

Almirola in the #09 car for full season: hearing Aric Almirola will drive the #09 Phoenix Racing car in 2010. The team plans on running the full 2010 season in Sprint Cup. No word if the team will remain a Chevy/Dodge team or form an alliance with another team or switch manufacturers.(1-9-2010)

Miccosukee to sponsor #37 at Homestead: SPEED's Hermie Sadler reported on NASCAR Live that #37-Travis Kvapil will carry the colors of Miccosukee Indian Gaming & Resort as the car normally sponsored by Miccosukee failed to qualify for the race when David Stremme spun on his qualifying lap Friday for the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.(11-21-2009)

Sorenson and Mears candidates for #09 ride in 2010 UPDATE: Casey Mears, currently running the #07 Jack Daniel's Chevy for Richard Childress is a leading candidate for the #09 Phoenix Racing ride in 2010. Reed Sorenson, out of the #43 Richard Petty Motorsports ride after the 2009 season is also a candidate for the #09 ride.(FoxSports)(11-7-2009)
UPDATE: Casey Mears and Reed Sorenson are among the four drivers #09 Phoenix Racing is considering for the 2010 Sprint Cup season. The Spartanburg-based organization will run David Gilliland this weekend at Phoenix and David Stremme in the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. If neither earns the ride through performance, then Mears and Sorenson will become the front-runners, general manager Mark Reno said. Reno said both drivers have called him inquiring about the #09. "A lot of good candidates," he said. See more at ESPN Insider.(11-9-2009)

Sterling Marlin....retiring? denied: Sterling Marlin plans to enter Sunday's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway [Marlin is not on the entry list, but the #70 Chevy driver is listed as TBA-to be announced, so maybe.....] then, after over 30 years of life in the fast lane, will "probably" hang up his helmet. "Will I miss it? Yeah, in some ways," said Marlin, 52, who raced his way out of the Carter's Creek tobacco fields and into international fame with back-to-back Daytona 500 victories in '94 and '95. "But in some ways I'll kinda be glad when it's over. The sport has changed. It's not much fun any more."(Racin' Today)(11-17-2009)
UPDATE: been told that Marlin says he is not retiring but would think about retiring in the off-season because it just wasn't fun anymore. Marlin has no plans to drive at Homestead. Marlin can be heard on a scheduled radio interview, Thurssday, Nov 19th on Race 2 Win Radio around 1:20pm/et.(11-19-2009)

Stremme to run #09 at Homestead..and 2010?: David Stremme, who has been replaced by Brad Keselowski in the #12 Penske Dodge, will drive the #09 Chevy for Phoenix Racing at Homestead — a race Keselowski had signed on to do. For 2010, Stremme has two options to consider. One, return to the Nationwide Series and drive for Rusty Wallace (who Stremme accompanied to Las Vegas earlier this week) and/or drive for the Bob Jenkins' owned [#34 or #37] Front Row Motorsports.(FoxSports)(11-6-2009)

Keselowski in the #12 at Texas? UPDATE: Brad Keselowski will begin driving a Penske Racing Dodge in the Sprint Cup series starting this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Keselowski will take over for David Stremme in the #12 Dodge, multiple sources have told FOXSports.com.Keselowski, who finished eighth in Sunday's Amp Energy 500 and is currently third in Nationwide Series points, was announced as Roger Penske's latest addition on Sept. 1.(FoxSports)(11-2-2009)
UPDATE: Brad Keselowski will compete for Penske Racing in the final three NASCAR Cup Series races of the 2009 season. Keselowski will drive the #12 Penske Dodge in the upcoming races at Texas (Nov. 8), Phoenix (Nov. 15) and Homestead (Nov. 22). Over the final three Cup Series events of 2009, Keselowski will step in for David Stremme and work with the Penske Dodge team in the car that will become his full-time ride next season. "Penske Racing wants to give Brad an opportunity to work with the team and get to know the race car as we prepare for the 2010 season," said Roger Penske. "These three races will provide a good base for both Brad and the team as we head into next year. Penske Racing also thanks David Stremme for his contributions to the team this year. We wish David the very best moving forward."(Penske Racing PR)(11-2-2009)

Keselowski officially signs with Penske for 2010: Penske Racing announced that Brad Keselowski will compete for the team full-time, beginning with the 2010 NASCAR season. Keselowski, a 25-year-old native of Rochester Hills, Mich., will drive the #12 Penske Dodge in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series next season. He will also run a full-season schedule in the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series, where he will compete for a championship with the team. "We are very excited to welcome Brad to the Penske Racing family," said Roger Penske. "Brad has shown terrific success on track the past several years and has quickly established himself as one of the top young stars in racing. He comes from an impressive family background in motorsports. He is a proven winner and a welcome addition to our team."
A third-generation driver, Keselowski has won at every level in which he has competed. He is currently ranked third in the Nationwide Series standings with three wins to his credit in 2009, including a dramatic victory in August at his home track at Michigan International Speedway. Keselowski also scored his first Cup Series win earlier this year at Talladega Superspeedway and he has produced three top-10 finishes in just eight Cup Series starts this season.
"Penske Racing is one of the top teams in all of motorsports and I am honored to join Roger Penske's organization and compete for wins with his Cup and Nationwide Series teams," said Keselowski. "This is a great opportunity for me to continue competing in the Nationwide Series and to run my first full season in the Cup Series with a strong and experienced team."(Penske Racing), no word on Stremme's plans for 2010.(9-1-2009)

Dale Jr. looking for Brad K's replacement: JR Motorsports President Kelley Earnhardt confirmed that Kelly Bires is on the list of possible replacements for Brad Keselowski should the company and the driver part ways. Many in the garage have called Bires, who turns 25 Tuesday, the front-runner for the #88 Nationwide Series ride.(FoxSports)(8-24-2009)

Sources: Keselowski to Penske in 2010 UPDATE 2: Brad Keselowski will drive for Penske Racing in 2010, sources told ESPN.com on Friday. Keselowski would not discuss his future plans. "I'm really not prepared to address any of the rumors about next year," he said. "I'm here to race the Nationwide car and win with it tonight and I am not going to let anything get in the way." Keselowski turned down an offer from Roger Penske last year to drive the #12 Dodge, and the ride instead went to David Stremme. Keselowski's current team, JR Motorsports, does not drive in the Sprint Cup Series and co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. has no plans to move that team up to NASCAR's top level. Keselowski had hoped to replace Mark Martin next year in the #5 Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports, but Martin decided to keep the seat in 2010. Rick Hendrick on Friday declined to comment on Keselowski's future, and Earnhardt canceled an afternoon media availability.(ESPN.com)(8-21-2009)
UPDATE: According to two published reports and additional sources, Brad Keselowski is to replace David Stremme as driver of the #12 car. A grinning Keselowski was coy when asked about the reports. "Ah, well, you know, I'm really not in a position to talk about any of that stuff right now. That's probably my biggest response. And I'm really not prepared to address any of the rumors about next year right now. I'm here to race the Nationwide car and I'm not going to let anything get in the way of that or distract me from that," Keselowski said. Asked if he was still a free agent, Keselowski smiled widely and added: "Everybody's free. We live in a free country, so, yeah, I'm still free." Jonathan Gibson, vice president of marketing for Penske Racing, said he could neither confirm nor deny the reports. But what he said appeared to speak volumes. "It's no secret we've been talking with Brad. Roger Penske has a history of having great drivers [in the employment of Penske Racing]. Brad Keselowski is a great driver," Gibson said. As part of the agreement, Keselowski presumably will cease to drive a Nationwide car for Jr. Motorsports at the end of this season as well.(8-21-2009)(NASCAR.com)
UPDATE 2: NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick does not plan to let Brad Keselowski stray far from his organization. Keselowski is believed to be headed to Penske Racing next season, in part because Hendrick Motorsports has no room in the lineup to promote him to the Sprint Cup Series. But the team owner says wherever Keselowski ends up, "he'll always be close enough for me to bring him back." Keselowski is the hottest prospect right now in NASCAR, but wants to move up from the Nationwide Series to the premier Cup level. He wanted to stay with a team affiliated with Hendrick, but there is no scenario for 2010 that would work. Keselowski turned down the #12 for Penske last season. David Stremme got the ride.(Associated Press)(8-23-2009)

Keselowski meets with Penske? UPDATE: other options?: Monday, an anonymous tipster spotted driver Brad Kesolowski meeting with Roger Penske [at thier Mooresville shop?]. The 'tipsters' report: "was doing business at Penske this morning and saw Brad Kesolowski go into the building with a man who appeared to be his agent, the car was still there three hours later when i left.(jalopnik.com)(8-18-2009)
UPDATE: Brad Keselowski says there's a scenario that could keep him affiliated with Hendrick Motorsports in 2010 that nobody knows of. Turns out Phoenix Racing isn't his only option with HMS ties. Here are some possibilities:
Richard Petty Motorsports: Most of the speculation has RPM leaving Dodge for Toyota, but multiple sources said RPM has had discussions with HMS and Richard Childress Racing should they switch to General Motors. An HMS official, however, assured us that talks with RPM haven't gotten serious.
Furniture Row Racing: Furniture Row Racing could expand to two teams -- #78-Regan Smith will be in one car -- with Keselowski. But it's a huge risk for Keselowski to join a team that can't run a full schedule this season.(ESPN Insider)(8-19-2009)

Keselowski to attempt Michigan: This weekend, #25-Brad Keselowski returns to his home track of Michigan International Speedway. Keselowski was raised in Rochester Hills, Mich., located about 100 miles from the track. Before making his way to the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide series, Keselowski cut his racing teeth running local tracks in quarter-midgets and late-model stock cars. Keselowski will attempt to make his first Michigan start in the Sprint Cup Series this weekend driving the #25 GoDaddy.com Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports. Keselowski, who is splitting time this season qualifying Sprint Cup Chevys for Hendrick Motorsports and Phoenix Racing [#09], has recorded one win, one top-five finish and three top-10s in seven Cup attempts. On Thursday, Keselowski will head to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor to watch the Wolverines football camp. The Michigan native also stopped by his favorite school's football camp last year. Keselowski will attempt to qualify Hendrick Motorsports' #25 Chevy two more times this Cup season: at Kansas on Oct. 4 and Lowe's Motor Speedway on Oct. 17. Crew chief Tony Eury Jr. has chosen Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 25-537 for this weekend's event at Chicagoland Speedway. This is the same car that Keselowski raced to a seventh-place finish at Darlington in May.(HMS)(8-12-2009)

Fellows testing road course: Been told that #09-Ron Fellows is testing Tuesday at the Carolina Motorsports Park road course in Kershaw, SC in preparation for the race at Watkins Glen on August 9th.(7-28-2009)

Another Marlin Racing: Sporting the red #711 that her grandfather made famous in the 1960’s, and with her two-time Daytona 500 champion dad coaching her over her radio headset, Sutherlin Marlin chased down her destiny Saturday night. Sutherlin, 19, finished 8th in a 40-lap Supertruck feature at Fairgrounds Speedway, the track on which her grandfather, Coo Coo, won four championships in the 1960’s and her father Sterling added three more in the 1980’s. “I can’t wait to go again,” said Sutherlin, a student at Columbia (Tn.) State who spent months practicing for her first race. “I was a little nervous at first, but after the race started it went away. It was fun and I’m definitely going to keep racing.” The Fairgrounds season runs through the fall and Sutherlin plans to be a regular competitor in the truck series, the track’s second-tier division. Sterling and son Steadman raced in Saturday night’s premier Late Model division. Both were involved in crashes and finished back in the field. Sterling this year is running a partial schedule in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series and will attempt to qualify for Sunday’s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis [in the #09 Dodge].(Racin' Today)(7-21-2009)