While many fans can't wait for the return of the NASCAR Sprint Cup in February 2009, things are shaping up for next season. Unfortunately, though TV ratings have increased lately, many teams are still struggling to get full-time sponsorship, economy being as slow as it is in the Unites States.
Nonetheless, other than a slightly different calendar for 2009, the big news right now is who's going to drive what next season. While some drivers are still looking for a ride, namely Patrick Carpentier and Jacques Villeneuve, others are trading places for some great rides. Veteran Mark Martin will be back in action full time with Hendrick Motorsport driving the No 5 Chevrolet. Within the Childress team, expect to see Casey Mears (ex- No 5 driver) behind the wheel of the No 07 Chevrolet while its original driver (and Nationwide champion) Clint Bowyer will drive the all-new No 33 Chevrolet. Though the DEI team has merged with the Chip Ganassi team (and news is that all the cars should be Chevrolets), Aric Almirola should drive the team's No 8 car. Reed Sorensen left the Ganassi team and will drive the No 10 Dodge (if it's still a Dodge at the beginning of the season) driven last season by Carpentier and Allmendigner (both looking for a ride). David Stremme will then drive the No 12 Penske Dodge left vacant by Ryan Newman who will handle the No 39 Chevrolet belonging to the newly formed Stewart-Haas racing Team. As for Tony Stewart himself, he will be behind the wheel of the No 14 Office Depot Chevrolet while his No 20 Toyota will be driven by rookie Joey Logano. Paul Menard, ex-Chevy No 15 driver, has found a new home in a Yates Ford while Greg Biffle (Ford No 16) and Matt Kenseth (Ford No 17) have signed multi-year contracts with Roush-Fenway. It looks like 2009 will see Jamie McMurray (Ford No 26) and young sensation David Ragan (Ford No 6 bearing the UPS sponsorship) try to impress boss Jack Roush as one of the two will have to leave in 2010 because of NASCAR's rule forbidding owners to have more than four teams! Photos: NASCAR
Recent Articles
|
Racing Multimedia
Recommendations |