NASCAR: Silly Season for 2009
Source: NASCAR.com
Here's an update on cars, drivers, teams and sponsors for the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup series. Mark Martin Team: Hendrick Motorsports Sponsor: TBA Manufacturer: Chevrolet Team owner Rick Hendrick and veteran driver Martin, 49, announced a multi-year deal that places Martin in Hendrick Motorsports' No. 5 Chevrolet. Casey Mears Team: Richard Childress Racing Sponsor: Jack Daniel's Manufacturer: Chevrolet As expected, Mears was named the fourth driver of the growing RCR stable. Beginning in 2009, Mears will drive the No. 07 car sponsored by Jack Daniel's. Aric Almirola Team: Dale Earnhardt Inc. Sponsor: TBA Manufacturer: Chevrolet DEI officials confirm that Almirola will drive the No. 8 Chevrolet in all 36 races in 2009. Almirola finished eighth at Bristol in his DEI debut, which apparently accelerated discussions with the team about his immediate future. David Stremme Team: Penske Racing Sponsor: Alltel Manufacturer: Dodge Stremme is no longer just the Cup test driver, but Penske Racing's driver for the No. 12 Dodge in 2009. Tony Stewart Team: Stewart-Haas Racing Sponsor: Old Spice, Office Depot Manufacturer: Chevrolet Stewart is purchasing what is believed to be a 50 percent stake in Haas CNC Racing and will drive for the team in 2009. Greg Biffle Team: Roush Fenway Racing Sponsor: 3M Manufacturer: Ford Biffle announced that he will drive the No. 16 Ford through 2011, with 3M continuing as his sponsor. Joey Logano Team: Joe Gibbs Racing Sponsor: Home Depot Manufacturer: Toyota There were no surprises at Joe Gibbs Racing, where the green flag was dropped on Joey Logano's Sprint Cup career. Clint Bowyer Team: Richard Childress Racing Sponsor: General Mills Manufacturer: Chevrolet Bowyer will move to RCR's No. 33 in 2009, technically the team's new fourth car -- but without the No. 07 owner points. Ryan Newman Team: Stewart-Haas Racing Sponsor: TBA Manufacturer: Chevrolet Stewart plans to build his new team into one that can win races and championships sooner than later. Signing Newman is a step in that direction. Bobby Labonte Team: Petty Enterprises Sponsor: TBA Manufacturer: Dodge At the same time Petty Enterprises had entered into a partnership with private equity firm Boston Ventures, it was announced that Labonte had reached a four-year extension.Team: Red Bull Racing Team Sponsor: Red Bull Manufacturer: Toyota Red Bull Racing Team and driver A.J. Allmendinger have agreed to part ways after the 2008 season. Carl Edwards Team: Roush Fenway Racing Sponsor: Aflac Manufacturer: Ford Edwards brokered his own deal to remain at Roush Fenway Racing, announcing a three-year extension with Aflac will become the No. 99 car's primary sponsor. Paul Menard Team: Yates Racing Sponsor: Menard's Manufacturer: Ford Menard is leaving DEI to drive a third car for Yates Racing in 2009. A.J. Allmendinger Team: Sponsor: Manufacturer: The future for Allmendinger, who is in his second Cup Series season driving the No. 84 Toyota, is still to be decided. Reed Sorenson Team: Gillett Evernam Motorsports Sponsor: TBA Manufacturer: Dodge He doesn't have a number, he doesn't have a sponsor, he doesn't know if he'll be driving a third or fourth car. None of that seems to matter to Sorenson, who will move next year to Gillett Evernham Motorsports. Scott Riggs Team: Sponsor: Manufacturer: The team Riggs joined at the end of 2007 -- Haas CNC Racing -- becomes Stewart-Haas Racing next year. The move has Riggs, for a second time in two years, looking for a new job. Photos: NASCAR
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