A question I had...

[Fisha695]

I guess that's what happens when you drive the local "Ma and Pa" Businesses out of town in favor of your Wal Mart's.

The local "Ma & Pa" shops dying has nothing to do with Smuckers buying JIF.

 

[labontefanboy]

So I was looking at Jayski's team chart, and it seems to me that there's a lot of uncertainty in NASCAR this close to Speedweeks. Since I've only been following NASCAR by way of jayski for a year, I was wondering if there's always this much uncertainty. Quite a few teams' status is up in the air still. The status of the #09, #7, #10, #12, #26, #36, #37, #55, #64 (except for Bodine @ Daytona), #66, #71, #76 and #77 are still up in the air. Not to mention drivers like Bill Elliott, Kevin Conway, Dave Blaney, Michael McDowell, and Scott Speed still have no announced, solid plans. Is it just the economy, or is there always a lot of this around this time of year?

Well, teams announce things when the deal is done. 3 years ago, a deal being "done" was when they signed a contract. With the economy nowadays a deal is "done" after they have the funding in their hands.

Very good point. And even now, from the list I had, we can take off the #09, #36, #66, and #77, and Bill Elliott and Dave Blaney. And I also believe that McDowell is going to be in Nationwide for a few races with Gibbs this year.

 

[RP Motorsports]

So I was looking at Jayski's team chart, and it seems to me that there's a lot of uncertainty in NASCAR this close to Speedweeks. Since I've only been following NASCAR by way of jayski for a year, I was wondering if there's always this much uncertainty. Quite a few teams' status is up in the air still. The status of the #09, #7, #10, #12, #26, #36, #37, #55, #64 (except for Bodine @ Daytona), #66, #71, #76 and #77 are still up in the air. Not to mention drivers like Bill Elliott, Kevin Conway, Dave Blaney, Michael McDowell, and Scott Speed still have no announced, solid plans. Is it just the economy, or is there always a lot of this around this time of year?

#09 will have Elliot for the majority of the season (at least 18 races if not more) and possibly a couple other drivers.

#7 will only run part-time (around 16-20) as Robby Gordon is competing full time in the Score Desert series, as well as some other off-road racing.

#10 will run select races with Terry Labonte.

#12 team was dissolved as Kez went to the 2 and Busch to the 22. The Nationwide #12 will run at least 10 races with Hornish Jr.

#26 still has no word but seems sketchy at best. Apparently Bill Jenkins owes everybody money and got way in over his head.

#36 will have Dave Blaney in the car and run at least 16 full races, possibly more, and S&P the rest.

#37 is gone as of right now. Front Row is planning on running two cars with Kvapil and Gilliland.

#55 is gone as Prism (now H&P) is only running one car (#66)

#66 has a few select full races they will run and S&P the other races they dont have funding for. Michael McDowell will be the driver.

#71 still up in the air but last word was they are planning to race. Obviously that can all be subject to funding.

#76 was never anything to begin with. Some genius really thought they could con enough people into buying a $50-$300 "membership" and run a race team with it.

#77 team was dissolved and the points were sold to Rusty Wallace so that Steven could run the 500. No word on whether he will run more Cup races. (What a joke I might add...Daddy buys Steven a guaranteed spot in the 500. If thats not an indication that NASCAR needs to change those rules, I dont know what is.)

Havnt heard anything on Scott Speed and Kevin Conway. Supposedly Speed is going to end up in a Truck and possibly a few races in a Nationwide ride. Conway never belonged in Cup to begin with and everybody knows that, but it was hard to turn down guaranteed sponsorship. He's actually eligible for the Shootout because he was the default Rookie of the Year (no other full-time rookies last season), so who knows if someone will put him in a car for it or not. I wouldnt expect to see him in a Cup car though, if anything at all this season.

-Ryan

RP Motorsports

 

[Cheeze]

I could see Conway in a #71 Extenze Chevy for the Shootout.

 

[labontefanboy]

I could see Conway in a #71 Extenze Chevy for the Shootout.

Good deal for both parties imo.

 

[Cheeze]

Yeah, until Extenze has to pay... lol

 

[4WideRacing]

The #71 is in the top 35. I would expect them to at least start-&-park in the first five.