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 #42 Juan Pablo Montoya says he is committed to staying at Ganassi Racing in 2009 and beyond. Have heard nothing about sponsors Texaco or Wrigley leaving. Montoya had been rumored to the #20 ride at JGR, but he flatly denied it. 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. #43 The 4th Richard Childress Racing team announced they will have General Mills/Cheerios/Betty Crocker as the sponsor, leaving PE to look for a new sponsor. When Boston Ventures bought a majority stake in Petty Enterprises, it was announced that driver Bobby Labonte had signed thru 2010. #44 David Reutimann says he is back with MWR in 2009, hearing that it was announced at MWR that UPS would not return in 2009 as the sponsor, they could be headed to Stewart Haas with the 2nd car, the #4 Chevy or to RCR with Clint Bowyer. Reutimann still has been rumored to a couple rides, including Petty Enterprises #45 and RCR’s 4th team with General Mills/Cheerios as the sponsor. There are rumors that MWR and Ganassi Racing could merge and form a 4 car team, so the #44 or #00 could close. The #44 could go back to Petty’s if they start a 3rd team #45 Kyle Petty said he plans to run 10-30 races in 2009, will take the 6-weeks off to broadcast the Cup races on TNT. Supposedly Wells Fargo and Marathon Spirit Oil will return in some capacity. Petty could also run with Petty Enterprises as a part time team with PE running two-full time teams. Chad McCumbee, Casey Mears or Scott Riggs could end up in the 2nd full-time ride. If MWR goes to two cars or merges with Ganassi, they could run the #55 and #00 and the Petty’s could have the #44 back for the 2nd full time team. Petty has said no matter what his schedule is, he would run the #45 car. Boston Ventures bought a majority stake in Petty Enterprises. #47 Marcos Ambrose moves up to run full time in 2009 with the newly formed JTG/Daugherty Racing. They have run the #47 in one race so far, with plans to run three more. No word if they keep the #47 or change, maybe #59, which is the number Ambrose runs in the Nationwide Series. Little Debbie’s supposedly will sponsor the team in some fashion, no word if a full season or for a few races. #48 no changes know at all for Jimmie Johnson and Lowe’s Racing. Sponsor, Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus are all signed thru 2010. #49: BAM Racing attempted the first 6 races of 2008, switched to Toyota for a race and then suspended operations. Supposedly they were to attempt Indy and Pocono, but the sponsorship never came thru. They lost crew chief David Hyder and shock specialist Dean Johnson to the Wood Brothers. No word if they will return in 2009. 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 See past posts: Silly Season 2008 # 31-41 (8-6-2008)
