Kevin Lepage and the #16 team will remain in the organization next season regardless of what happens with the car’s TV Guide sponsorship. The sponsor is waiting until the end of the year to make a decision on returning, but Lepage and crew chief Pat Tryson are staying put. If no sponsor is signed, Roush plans to take an unsponsored car to the Daytona 500. Smith is talking to other companies about sponsoring the team. If he signs a new sponsor and re-signs TV Guide for the #16, Roush Racing will be able to keep its #26 team on board. Johnny Benson, driver of the #26, is leaving Roush after the season, along with sponsor Cheerios. In two weeks, the Roush teams of Chad Little and 2000 rookie Matt Kenseth(#17) will move into a shop at the Concord Airport. Roush also will enter contract negotiations with #97 driver Chad Little and sponsor John Deere( Times-Dispatch )
