The NASCAR rumor mill is always churning. With that in mind, we've got your one-stop shop for all the latest news and rumors about driver and crew changes.
Find the latest buzz on: Earnhardt-Ganassi | Hendrick Motorsports | Joe Gibbs Racing | Red Bull Racing | Joe Gibbs RacingRichard Childress Racing | Richard Petty Motorsports | Robby Gordon Motorsports | Roush Fenway Racing | Stewart-Haas Racing | Tommy Baldwin Racing | Michael Waltrip Racing
| Team | Car numbers | Make |
| Michael Waltrip Racing | 00, 47, 55, 56 | Toyota |
(Updated July 7)
Just the facts: Martin Truex Jr. will join the organization in 2010, driving the No. 56 with sponsorship from NAPA. Michael Waltrip will shift to a partial schedule in the No. 55, driving in at least four events. David Reutimann drives the 00 car. The JTG-Daugherty 47 car driven by Marcos Ambrose is a quasi third team, working out of the MWR garages and receiving cars, engineering, mechanical and other technical support.
Rumblings: After more than two seasons as a car owner, Waltrip finally saw one of his cars in Victory Lane as Reutimann captured the rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600 on May 25. While Reutimann has put himself in contention for a spot in the Chase and Ambrose has been above average, Waltrip has not enjoyed similar success. The Truex hiring was one of the worst kept secrets in the garage, but rumors that he would join the team immediately were off base. Perhaps toward the end of the season something could be arranged for Truex to leave Earnhardt-Ganassi a few races early to get a head start on next season. MWR recently signed Truex Jr.'s younger brother Ryan to a developmental deal. Another rumor starting to make the rounds is the Kasey Kahne could wind up at MWR in 2010 as well. Financial issues continue to dog Richard Petty Motorsports, which could force it to release Kahne from the remainder of his contract. | ||
| Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing | 1, 8, 41, 42 | Chevrolet |
(Updated July 7)
Just the facts: Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Chip Ganassi Racing merged following the 2008 season to form Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing. The organization had hoped to field four cars for 2009, but sponsorship never materialized for the 41 car and it was left on the cutting room floor, leaving Aric Almirola (8), Juan Pablo Montoya (42) and Martin Truex Jr. (1) as its drivers to start the season. The organization could never find a full season sponsor for Almirola and the 8 team was shuttered after seven races. Truex is leaving for Michael Waltrip Racing in 2010.
Rumblings: The merger has had a positive effect on Montoya, who is off to the best start of his three-year career and in the thick of the Chase hunt, but Truex's team failed to show any improvement, hence the jump to MWR. Almirola might be a possibility to fill the seat or could Ganassi's IRL connections help land Danica Patrick? If she so desired she could test the waters of NASCAR for a couple seasons with Earnhardt-Ganassi and if things don't work out, hop back into the IRL in one of Ganassi's Indy cars. EG could certainly use the cash infusion Patrick would be sure to bring in sponsorship. | ||
| Richard Petty Motorsports | 9, 19, 43, 44 | Dodge |
(Updated June 30)
Just the facts: Prior to the 2009 season, Gillett Evernham Motorsports merged with Petty Enterprises to form Richard Petty Motorsports. The team is co-owned by Richard Petty, Petty Holdings, which itself is owned by majority shareholder Boston Ventures, and Gillett Evernham Motorsports. The team fields the 9 (Kasey Kahne), 19 (Elliott Sadler) and 43 (Reed Sorenson) cars on a full-time basis, with the 44 car running part-time with AJ Allmendinger behind the wheel.
Rumblings: With Chrysler filing for bankruptcy, Petty has said the factory support from Dodge has all but dried up. In early June, the organization reduced salaries and laid off nine employees. The financial situation for RPM is so bad that rumors circulating during the race at Michigan were that the famed No. 43 team could be shut down before the end of the season. The organization has formed a partnership with Braun Racing, which fields Toyotas, for five Nationwide races, though it was unclear what brand they would run in those events. Motorsports reporter Mike Mulhern was reporting that despite winning at Sonoma on June 21, Kahne could end up in a Toyota before the end of the season. Petty has been coy as to whether that rumor will bear out. However even if Kahne doesn't end up in a Toyota this season, he may very well be in one next season ... with Michael Waltrip Racing. If RPM is unable to get is finances in order, they may just have to cut Kahne loose. But if that's the case, you could expect more suitors for Kahne's services other than MWR. | ||
| Hendrick Motorsports | 5, 24, 48, 88 | Chevrolet |
(Updated June 30)
Just the facts: Mark Martin has agreed to drrive the 5 car on a full-time basis again in 2009. Jeff Gordon (24), Jimmie Johnson (48) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) are all under contract for next season. On May 28, it was announced that Tony Eury Jr. would no longer serve as crew chief for Earnhardt. Brian Whitesell will serve as his crew chief at Dover, before Lance McGrew takes over an interim basis.
Rumblings: At the time of the crew chief change, Earnhardt had just three top 10s through the first 12 races of the season and was 19th in points. The final straw was the Coca-Cola 600 where Earnhardt ran at the back of the field all race long, finishing two laps down in 40th. NASCAR's four-car owner limit that begins in 2010 will prevent Hendrick from fielding a team for Brad Keselowski, who was seen as the possible successor to Martin. Possible destinations for Keselowski include Stewart-Haas Racing, which receives engines and technical support from Hendrick, or JR Motorsports, the team he drives for in the Nationwide Series. Earnhardt is said to be contemplating moving the team up to Cup in 2010. A wild rumor that shot up the charts at New Hampshire was that Hendrick would replace Earnhardt in the driver lineup with Danica Patrick, with Earnhardt moving over to his JR Motorsports team. But that just seems too off the wall to be believed. | ||
| Richard Childress Racing | 3, 07, 29, 31, 33 | Chevrolet |
(Updated June 22)
Just the facts: Jeff Burton (31) and Kevin Harvick (29) are reportedly signed through 2010. Clint Bowyer (33) and Casey Mears are reportedly signed through 2011. Following race 9, Mears' crew chief Gil Martin and his crew moved to the No. 29 team with Harvick while Todd Berrier and his crew shift over the No. 07 team with Mears. In addition to the crew chiefs, the transition included car chiefs, engineers, shock specialists, engine tuners, tire specialists, mechanics, transporter drivers and over-the-wall pit crews.
Rumblings: RCR's teams came on strong in 2008 and were expected to be contenders in 2009, but through 16 races, none of its drivers are top 12 in points. Mears and Harvick were both outside the top 20. The crew chief change has done little to change the fortunes of Mears and Harvick and with Bowyer struggling as well, don't be surprised if more changes come down the pipeline before too long. And it could get worse if reports from motorsports reporter Mike Mulhern bear out. With General Motors pulling back support and Shell and Jack Daniels possibly not renewing its sponsorship, Childress may have to cut back to as few as two teams in 2010 | ||
| Roush Fenway Racing | 6, 16, 17, 26, 99 | Ford |
(Updated June 22)
Just the facts: Greg Biffle (16), Carl Edwards (99) and Matt Kenseth (17) all signed extensions last year that should take them through the 2011 season. Jame McMurray and David Ragan are both reportedly in the final year of their contracts.
Rumblings: With Biffle, Edwards and Kenseth all locked up to long-term deals, it would appear Roush will have to cut ties with McMurray or Ragan (possibly both if they don't pick up the pace) to get down to NASCAR's four-car limit in 2010. Prior to the season, McMurray was seen as the odd man out with Ragan having a breakout season in 2008 and his car's sponsor UPS said to be looking looking for a stability in the driver it supports after going through Dale Jarrett and David Reutimann the past couple of years. But UPS also wants its car competitive and Ragan has seemingly regressed, finding himself 30th in points through 16 races. Regardless of the driver, expect the team RFR drops to hook up with Yates Racing, which has basically become a satellite operation. | ||
| Red Bull Racing | 83, 84 | Toyota |
(Updated June 22)
Just the facts: Brian Vickers' mans the No. 83 car, while Scott Speed is in his first full season driving the No. 84.
Rumblings: It's a good news, bad news deal for Red Bull. The good news is that through 16 races, Vickers has captured four poles and has an outside shot at a spot in the Chase. The bad news is that Speed has struggled -- as one might expect -- failing to qualify for three races, though the team worked out a deal with Joe Nemechek, who had qualified, to put him in his car for two races. It's also sounding as if Toyota won't be back as the organization's manufacturer in 2010. | ||
| Joe Gibbs Racing | 11, 18, 20 | Toyota |
(Updated May 28)
Just the facts: Denny Hamlin (11) and Kyle Busch (18) are under contract through 2010. The contract status of Joey Logano (20) is unknown.
Rumblings: After a slow start to the 2009 season, Logano, who was 19 when the season, began, has picked up the pace, easing JGR's concerns that it may have been too quick to move him up to the Cup Series. It stands to reason that as long as he shows consistency and improvement, Logano will be in the 20 car for many years to come. JGR still has room to add a fourth team and Martin Truex Jr. has been the driver most associated with the ride in rumor mill. | ||
| Tommy Baldwin Racing | 36 | Toyota |
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(Updated May 28) Rumblings: TBR figured to have some growing pains as it slogged through the 2009 season and Riggs' best finish in the car was 25th. It's hard to envision any other driver who slips behind the wheel this season will have much more success. Skinner is scheduled to drive 17 of the remaining 24 races. Carpentier is scheduled run both Pocono events, the June 28 race at New Hampshire, the Sept. 12 race at Richmond and the Sept. 27 race at Dover. Simo will take the wheel for the two road-course races. | ||
| Stewart-Haas Racing | 14, 39 | Chevrolet |
(Updated May 28)
Just the facts: Tony Stewart drives the 14 car, while Ryan Newman mans the wheel of the 39.
Rumblings: The season started off better than Stewart ever imagined, with both cars in Chase contention through the first 12 races. Stewart captured the teams' first victory in the All-Star Race. There's room for expansion if Stewart can find sponsors. Rumored possibilities for a third and/or fouth team include Brad Keselowski and Martin Truex Jr. | ||
