one scenerio I am hearing is that Ricky Rudd, driver of the #21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford, could retire at the end of 2005 with no fanfare. John Andretti would drive the #21 for a year, with Jon Wood staying in the #47 Busch Series Ford and moving up to Cup in 2007.(10-9-2005)
UPDATE: now hearing Ken Schrader, driver of the #49 Schwan’s Home Service, could replace Rudd in the #21, ‘if’ Rudd does retire, and possibly may bring the sponsor along with him. BAM Racing and Schrader have said in the past that they expected to be together in 2006 and Schrader said it was his last full-time season in 2006.(10-11-2005)
UPDATE 2; RacingOne reports: Ken Schrader will run one more full NEXTEL Cup season in 2006 for BAM Motorsports. Schrader will shift to the Craftsman Truck Series in 2007 joining Mark Martin as two more former NEXTEL Cup regulars finding homes on the truck circuit.(RacingOne)(10-12-2005)
UPDATE 3: been told that Andretti in not a candidate for the #21 ride.(10-13-2005)
UPDATE 4: Ricky Rudd says he’s made a decision about his future and the #21 Ford. He’s just not prepared to share the information. “I know, I’m just not ready to discuss plans yet,” Rudd said. Team co-owner Len Wood was evasive when asked if he knew Rudd’s future but said the team has plans in place for any situation. If Rudd decides to return next year, he will drive the #21 and a second car will be added for selected races for Jon Wood. If Rudd retires or signs a deal with another team, either Wood or another driver will drive the 21 full-time. Wood, if he’s not in the 21, will drive a second car for up to seven races.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(10-14-2005)
