so where do things stand with news and rumors in the Sprint Cup Series? Let’s break down a few a day for the next week or so, also see my 2009 Team Chart for all the teams #00 Haven’t heard much on this team, they could end up not running in 2009 as no sponsors have been announced. Driver Michael McDowell has been rumored to a Penske ride, but haven’t heard much else. #01 the team has run without a full time sponsor all season, Regan Smith could return if DEI chooses to stick with four cars and sponsors can be found or the team could fold and DEI scale back to a 3 car team [#1, #8, #15]. There were rumors a few weeks ago that Teresa Earnhardt was looking to sell or find investors, but they were refuted #07 Clint Bowyer re-signed thru 2011, Jack Daniel’s is good thru 2009. BUT rumors have places UPS as Bowyer’s new sponsor, so what becomes of Jack Daniel’s? hearing they could rotate around the other RCR cars, #31 and #29 [like Reese’s, Prilosec & Lennox has in the past and DirecTV with the #07], doubtful General Mills would allow that on the 4th team. Been told UPS will NOT go to RCR, that Jack Daniel’s will stay on the #07, but could have a driver swap, with Bowyer going to the #33 and General Mills? #1 Bass Pro Shop’s was rumored to Stewart Hass but they are signed with DEI thru 2009. Martin Truex Jr. was rumored to Penske with UPS [looks unlikely now], RCR’s 4th team [supposedly still a possibilty] and Gibb’s #20. DEI says they have an option on Truex for 2009, Truex doesn’t agree BUT supposedly, Truex will be back with DEI and re-sign soon, possibly thru 2011. There were rumors a few weeks ago that Teresa Earnhardt was looking to sell or find investors, but they were refuted #2 Have heard of no changes with the Miller Lite team and Kurt Busch is signed thru at least 2009. #3 get asked often, will RCR use the #3 again. That is a big NO, at least until/if his grandson, Austin Dillon, who runs the #3 in Late Models, advances into Cup. Looks like Dillon may run the Truck Series in 2009. #4 looks like Morgan McClure Motorsports will not be back. They are selling off inventory at last check of their site and Tony Stewart announced that his second Stewart Haas Racing team will use the #4, possibly for Ryan Newman, who supposedly has agreed to sign with Stewart to drive there in 2009. #5 this ride will change, but it is locked in for 2009. Mark Martin takes over for Casey Mears. Martin will run the full season for the first time since 2005 since son Matt quit racing. Carquest and Kelloggs back as co-sponsors. Mears is rumored to about every open ride, but it would be cool to see a Mears back with Penske.(8-1-2008)
