Silly Season - 2013 edition

[LMITOUT]

Well it appears to be game of musical chairs with more drivers than chairs.

Newman lost his spot on Tony's team which will be filled by Harvick next year and now Montoya is out at Ganassi. Austin Dillon will get Harvick's spot and Vickers has finally been signed to drive the #55 car which everyone pretty much knew was coming anyway.

Larson is signed with Ganassi, however I don't believe he is scheduled to be a full time Cup driver in 2014 so who is going to drive the #42 next year...and it might be for only one year? Maybe Ganassi picks up Newman or gives Busch a deal he can't refuse for the #42 and expands to a third team in 2015 for Larson? The question then becomes sponsorship and who would sponsor the #42 if one of those two get the ride. I would think that Larson is a lock for Target but who knows. I have to wonder when McMurray's contract is up. Yeah, he has won some big races and runs decent here or there, but with Newman and Busch out there you would think Ganassi might be looking to move up to a better overall driver.

Penske is only running a two-car team so he has room to expand, but I have a tough time seeing him bringing Busch or Newman back. Allmendinger and

Hornish would be the likely choices for a third team if they did expand, and I would give the nod to Hornish over AJ.

Any guesses or predictions?

[CaptainMusky]

I know its not my decision but how many big name teams would stick their neck out with Busch? He has continually proven to be a cancer. I cannot help but wonder how good he could do in a better ride but who will take that on? Newman is a class act too bad he's out. I'm getting to the point where I don't like watching it as much because it isn't the 43 best drivers out there. Just the 43 who can get sponsors. We all know danica wouldn't be in a seat if not for go daddy. Menard wouldn't be out there if it wasn't for his old man either.

[harvey lee]

I agree Busch is a cancer to any team. It.s to bad but he brought it on himself. What a way to throw away any chance at another great cup team unless a team is very hard up.

I would rather go with a young and upcoming talent than Kurt.

I would be very suprised if Kurt could bring much for sponsorship.

I would think Tony will keep Danica until sponsors run away, right now she brings in great money but unless she starts to do better, good bye Danica.

[LMITOUT]

Read today that Allmendinger could end up in the #47, which Bobby LaBonte now drives.

[gregg52]

I think kurt can bring sponsers specially if he makes the chase

lets face it if you want your product to been seen it has to be on a car and driver that get on the air when was the last time bobby labonte was on the former champion or kpavil etc

I personally think kurt should not go to ganissie. a young driver can maybe bring some air time but only with a good finish

it always the top 5 or and of coarse the big names

I think maybe kurt has learned his lesson

If I 'm an owner i want my car up front

and i believe your right Danic;s got maybe 2 yrs even if she gets lucky and wins a plate race because every one else crash out

i think montoya is history in the cup garge

with ryan newman and kurt and probably jeff burton lookin for rides i think he way down on the list k larson also might get in his way

and regan smith coming back also sam hornish with allmindinger

lots of winners out there lookin for rides and the best rides are filled for awhile unless a penske or somebody goes to a 3 or 4 car stalbe and i think kurt is the # one pick

[PurpleFloyd]

Read today that Allmendinger could end up in the #47, which Bobby LaBonte now drives.

Bobby Labonte is driving? Thought he retired years ago. Did they have to retro his car with curb feelers?

[Mike89]

also hearing Mark Martin could take Tony's ride if Waltrip lets him.

[LMITOUT]

Whoa...

A report out tonight from FoxSports says that Stewart Haas has made a formal offer to Kurt Busch to drive a fourth car.

If the source of the news is accurate, how would you feel if you were Ryan Newman? Ouch.

[LMITOUT]

Now Marty Smith (ESPN) says there is indeed an offer on the table.

Wow.

They must have a good sponsor lined up if they are going to make the leap to a fourth team all of a sudden.

[Mike89]

scary, but interesting.

[CaptainMusky]

I am a stewart fan, but man, if that is true, that really makes me angry. First he cans Grubb after he wins the championship, then gets rid of newman and now starts a 4th team and hires Kurt Busch?

My son is going to be TICKED!! Tony is his favorite driver and when he was younger (probably 5 or 6) he would always say "dont be Kurt Busch to me" as in mean. LOL

I dont like that one bit.

I kind of understand the whole Grubb thing because I am sure that decision was made long before the chase and winning the championship, but he still looks like a donkey for doing it. Say it aint so Tony!

[LMITOUT]

Looks to be a sure thing for Austin Dillon to run in Cup next year with the announcement today that his brother will be moving up to the Nationwide series. Pretty much what everyone figured would happen with Harvick leaving.

[CaptainMusky]

Well, apparently it is official. Kurt Busch to drive 4th car for SHR.

Supposedly this was Haas' deal, driving a Haas Automation car. Grrrrrr.

[harvey lee]

I am a stewart fan, but man, if that is true, that really makes me angry. First he cans Grubb after he wins the championship, then gets rid of newman and now starts a 4th team and hires Kurt Busch?

My son is going to be TICKED!! Tony is his favorite driver and when he was younger (probably 5 or 6) he would always say "dont be Kurt Busch to me" as in mean. LOL

I dont like that one bit.

I kind of understand the whole Grubb thing because I am sure that decision was made long before the chase and winning the championship, but he still looks like a donkey for doing it. Say it aint so Tony!

Kurt Busch can drive a race car for sure.

I will have a very hard time cheering for Tony when he hires this donkey.

[CaptainMusky]

Harvey I agree with you 100%. The only solace I find is that it appears to have been a deal driven by gene Haas vs tony. Comments made that if they don't find a sponsor that Haas automation will sponsor.

I hate what's happening to Newman.

[harvey lee]

Sounds like Earnhardt/Gannassi are looking for a driver also, maybe Neuman can pick up that ride.

[reddog]

Sounds like Earnhardt/Gannassi are looking for a driver also, maybe Neuman can pick up that ride.

I'm hearing Larson will get the seat in the 42 on Friday . I don't like it much,( from my own selfish dirt track perspective) but that's what starting to leak out, we shall see in 2 days.

[LMITOUT]

Hopefully he doesn't turn out like another Logano...All hype and rushed into the majors before he was ready.

[LMITOUT]

The pieces are starting to fall into place. The other day it was announced that Dinger was going to the 47 and now they confirmed what we already knew with Larson in the 42.

[pushbutton]

.....so where is Newman going?

[LMITOUT]

Good question.

The 78 seat is still open. There was some talk about RCR. Adding a 4th car?

[gregg52]

not sure i put to miuch stock in the above post

havick and busch together thats funny

but i think bush is the better driver

tony and hass are probably lookin a head a yr or 2 when the go daddy

money goes away and it will

they need big names to stay afloat

i'm think kurt with hendtrick power and that support he will diffently be a major contender

i think he learned his lesson

time will tell

[gregg52]

kinda to bad the kid larson went with ganissi

i dont thats the best ride

jamie won those big races and cant get a top 10 this yr not sure whats wrong there

i not a big montoya fan but maybe a better team whos knows

i remember thinkin back in the day dale jarret wasnt much of a driver but he proved me wrong

[LMITOUT]

jamie won those big races and cant get a top 10 this yr not sure whats wrong there

And Ganassi re-signed him this week.

[LMITOUT]

Harvey I agree with you 100%. The only solace I find is that it appears to have been a deal driven by gene Haas vs tony. Comments made that if they don't find a sponsor that Haas automation will sponsor.

I hate what's happening to Newman.

If it's any consolation Tony was against the idea. He wasn't against hiring Kurt Busch, but rather expanding to a fourth team right now. They only have room for three teams at their shop but they've already started the process of putting up a new building to expand their facility. Sounds like they are going to operate much like HMS does with two cars in one shop and two in the other.

From the reports this week it appears that the deal was done while Tony was laid up and didn't seem to have much input into the deal. In fact, by the time Tony found out the contract had already been offered to Kurt. They had planned on using Haas Automation as the sponsor for Harvick, but when Budweiser said they were coming with him that freed up sponsorship for the fourth car. Haas wanted Kurt and the rest is history.