Kodak holds the key domino in the Cup garage. If its sponsorship goes to Penske, it’s possible Penske would field a third team, in conjunction with Jasper Engines and with driver Brendan Gaughan [see #77 Team News and Links page for the rumors on this]. Though Dave Blaney signed a contract with Jasper last September, his future is uncertain. If Kodak’s sponsorship goes to Roush, it would lock in Jeff Burton. Burton, though, appears to be the driver Richard Childress has been waiting for to drive the #30 AOL Chevy [although rumors have Johnny Sauter in the car also], if Burton’s #99 team can’t land Kodak or another sponsor [rumored sponsor for #99: Astra Zeneca.( Yahoo Sports/Sporting News ) UPDATE: being told the #99 does not not get a sponsor within the next few days Burton will go to the #30 AOL Chevy and AOL will extend their contract from thru 2004, to thru 2006, otherwise Sauter would probably end up in the #30 and hearing the #77/Kodak/Gaughan deal is pretty much done and Kodak has made their decision. No word on what Blaney will do or his plans.(12-1-2003) UPDATE 2: being told the #99 could be the next team to shut down if no sponsor is found.(12-2-2003) UPDATE 3: The #99 team at Roush Racing has no sponsor for 2004, but it still has a driver. Jeff Burton said Tuesday he’ll stay with the team he’s been with since 1996, taking his name out of the speculation about the #30 AOL Chevrolets owned by Richard Childress. Childress has a news conference scheduled for Thursday in New York City to announce a driver for that car for next season. Sources have told The Charlotte Observer that Johnny Sauter is now the leading candidate for that position [ see my #30 Team News and Links page for past rumors ]. “I am committed to Roush Racing and Roush Racing is committed to me,” Burton said. “We are in a position that we need to put a sponsor on our car. …But we will field a well-funded, championship-contending race team next year. We are full-speed ahead.” Burton did not specifically address the open seat in the #30 Chevrolets, but did say that other car owners have expressed interest in having him drive for their teams. “That has been flattering,” Burton said. “But my allegiance is with Roush Racing. When things have been good, we’ve done them together, and when things have been bad we’ve gone through them together.” Burton said that he is confident his team will sign a sponsor, but said Roush has assured him the #99 will run a full schedule in 2004 even if no sponsor can be signed.( ThatsRacin.com )(12-3-2003) UPDATE 4: Roush Racing and NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Jeff Burton announced today that Burton will remain with Roush and the #99 team heading into the 2004 season. Burton signed a multi-year contract with Roush back in September and he continues to be committed to Roush Racing and the #99 team. “My commitment to Roush Racing is strong,” said Burton. “I have said all along that Roush is where I want to be and that’s where I’m staying. Jack (Roush, Owner) is committed to this team and so am I. We’ve built something that really means a lot. We spent last year re-building and we are looking to capitalize on it in 2004 and return the #99 Ford to victory lane where it belongs.” Roush Racing will continue the search for a primary sponsor for the #99 Ford while Burton and the team move ahead with off-season testing and preparation. Roush Racing President Geoff Smith remains strong in his conviction that there will be a sponsor for the #99 team in the near future. “We are very disappointed by the poor business climate for primary sponsorship in the Nextel Cup Series.” Smith continued, “The #99 program is the best program out there right now and Jeff Burton is in the upper 20th percentile in his worst season finishing 12th in the overall point standings. We can’t imagine that a primary sponsor won’t join us in 2004. Roush Racing is making an investment to continue the operation of the #99 team with Jeff Burton as the driver in 2004 to try and pursue the first Nextel Cup.” Burton is also confident the team will have a sponsor soon, thus putting to rest the rumors. “We are not approaching this year as if we don’t have a sponsor,” Burton said. “I’m confident we will finalize something soon and until then we are full speed ahead in our quest to win the Nextel Cup Championship. Our testing, preparation, car building and people hiring is just like it has been. We are committed to signing a sponsor and until then we are business as usual. No one should question our resolve, determination or ability.” ( Roush Racing PR )(12-4-2003)
