The Kodak fact finding mission stopped at Roush Racing, BAM Racing, Bill Davis Racing, Dale Earnhardt, Inc., and reportedly to Penske Racing South where there is interest in starting a third team.( Ford Racing )(11-10-2003) UPDATE: hearing Brendan Gaughan is “supposed” to go to a third Penske team next year, with Kodak sponsorship. Somehow, the whole (Kodak) deal is contingent on his winning the Truck Series championship.(11-14-2003) UPDATE 2 and more: Kodak’s departure from the #4 Morgan-McClure car appears imminent [may stay as an assoc – Jayski]. Several organizations have bid on the Kodak account, including Dale Earnhardt Inc., BAM Racing and PPI Motorsports. Although DEI has been rumored to be the front-runner, Kodak officials were spotted at Penske Racing last weekend. Garage chatter has Craftsman Trucks driver Brendan Gaughan running a limited 2004 Nextel Cup schedule for Penske with eight-figure sponsor support from Kodak.( FoxSports/Sporting News )(11-17-2003) AND on Wednesday’s Wind Tunnel show, Brendan Gaughan called in and said Dodge was working on a few race Cup deal for him in 2004, but he didn’t know which team and that the ‘rumor’ was blown out of proportion.(11-20-2003) UPDATE 3: Don Miller Penske Racing South on XM Satellite – NASCAR Radio when asked if Penske is starting a third team: “This is where we are. We have been approached by another sponsor to run a third car. As You know it’s Kodak. Kodak has come down in the Charlotte area and talked to half a dozen of the really good race teams and we just happen to be one of them. At this point, you know, nothing has been settled one way or the other but they have let us know that we are (one of the teams) in the final selection process.”( XM Satellite- NASCAR Radio – Subscription Required) AND Penske Racing and Jasper Motorsports are considering an arrangement where they would split ownership of Jasper’s #77 Fords and bring the team under the Penske umbrella next season. Truck series driver Brendan Gaughan is the preferred candidate for the ride if the new deal is completed, sources said. Dave Blaney, who currently drives the #77, would not return to the team next season. The completion of the deal rests largely on the team’s ability to secure a sponsor and a decision in that regard could come as early as Monday. The Penske-Jasper deal is one of three teams from which Kodak, which bought out its remaining contract with Morgan-McClure Motorsports, will select as its new home in what will become the Nextel Cup Series in 2004, sources said. Kodak is expected to make a final decision by Monday, choosing offers from Penske, Roush Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. “There could be the possibility of a third team next season, but how that team is structured and who the driver would be remains up in the air,” said Don Miller, Penske vice president, who was reached Friday by phone. Team owner Roger Penske, in an appearance on the Speed Channel show “Wind Tunnel” Thursday night, was asked by show host Dave Despain about a possible third Penske team. “There has been interest by our team to possibly look at a third car. Kodak has come back through and talked to four or five teams in Charlotte – they came to our shop and we made a proposal,” Penske said. “At this particular time, we have interest, we have engine capability with our Penske Jasper program … to bring another young driver in might be a real opportunity for us for next year.” Asked specifically about Gaughan as a driver, Penske said, “Brendan is one of the young Dodge drivers and obviously with our relationship with Dodge with Rusty and Ryan, he could be a possibility.” Gaughan, 28, won six races this season and led the series points entering the season finale at Homestead, Fla. He was involved in a wreck in the race and ended up fourth in points. If he gets the ride, Gaughan would become the third member of the 2004 Nextel Cup rookie class, joining Brian Vickers and Scott Riggs [and maybe Johnny Sauter and Kasey Kahne??]. Gaughan in is Mexico racing this week and was unavailable for comment. Several issues remain to be worked out before the Penske-Jasper deal is completed, including: the car’s number; where the team would be based; the listed car owner; and whether it would keep car owner’s points from the 2003 season. The team would join the Dodge camp and utilize Penske engines, sources said.( ThatsRacin.com )(11-21-2003)
