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 #31 Jeff Burton is signed thru 2010. AT&T will leave after working out a deal with AT&T/NASCAR to switch from Cingular to AT&T to stay thru 2008. The new sponsor, Caterpillar, moves over from Bill Davis Racing’s #22 Toyota. See an image of the car on my #31 Team Schemes page. Also, IF UPS sponsors Clint Bowyer’s car in 2009, Jack Daniel’s may sponsor some races with the #31 and #29. #33 The 4th Richard Childress Racing team has a sponsor already, General Mills/Cheerios/Betty Crocker, but no driver has been named. Rumored drivers include Martin Truex Jr., Casey Mears, Ryan Newman, Scott Wimmer, Jamie McMurray and Stephen Leicht. Childress hopes to name the driver by mid August. Since this is a new full-time team, the driver will need to qualify for the first five races in 2009. And you could see driver movement, with Bowyer or Burton moving to the #33 and the new driver in the #07 or #31 #34 No word on 2009 plans for Front Row Motorsports. The team has attempted 19 of 21 races with five drivers and a few sponsors. #38 Supposedly driver David Gilliland will be back in 2009. Yates Racing is still looking for full time sponsors for this car and the #28 team, and if found may expand to three teams. #40: The Ganassi Racing team that shut down in July. Driver Dario Franchitti still has not said what his future plans are past seven or so Nationwide races he will drive in 2008 for Ganassi. Who knows, he could end up in the #33. If Ganassi can find a sponsor for the team, it could return in 2009. Also there are rumors that Ganassi Racing could merge with Michael Waltrip Racing and form a four-car team with #41, #42, #44, #55 teams. #41 Supposedly, Ganassi is looking to re-sign driver Reed Sorenson, even after the poor 2008 season so far. Target was rumored to be leaving, but both Ganassi and Target have denied that. So it looks like Sorenson and Target could both return in 2009. Also there are rumors that Ganassi Racing could merge with Michael Waltrip Racing and form a four-car team with #41, #42, #44/00, #55 teams. See past posts: Silly Season 2008 # 00-5 See past posts: Silly Season 2008 # 6-12 See past posts: Silly Season 2008 # 14-20 See past posts: Silly Season 2008 # 21-29 (8-5-2008)
