It appears to be a two-man race for Ryan Newman’s soon-to-be-vacant [#12] seat at Penske Racing, with Casey Mears and David Stremme in the running. Stremme is making a strong bid for the ride, doing yeoman work as Penske Racing’s test driver this season. In fact, Stremme’s name is being linked with as many as three different Cup openings next year.(Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway)(7-7-2008) UPDATE – McDowell to Penske? There’s still the issue of a replacement for Ryan Newman at Penske [in the #12 if Newman goes to Stewart Haas Racing], also rumored to be Casey Mears, but I [Yahoo’s Bob Margolis] hear #00-Michael McDowell could be in play there as he’s somehow lost favor with the Michael Waltrip folks.(Yahoo Sports)(7-9-2008)
