Let the silly season begin

The NASCAR silly season, its one of the craziest times of the year. It usually starts right around the time NASCAR teams make it to Daytona for the second time during a season. It's at that time teams who maybe aren't in championship contention begin to consider the next season. Questions begin to surface, who's going to drive for us, who is going to be our sponsor, will we be able to field another team next year, etc.

For NASCAR teams, that time of the year is now. I wanted to touch on a few of the annoucments that have already been made and some rumors that are floating around.

Casey Mears leaves Hendrick Motorsports at the end of 2008, will be replaced by Mark Martin, who leaves DEI opening the door for Aric Almirola to drive the No. 8 full time in 2009
Casey Mears has spent the last two seasons struggling to find a place to fit in at Hendrick Motorsports. Sure, he won the 2007 Coca-Cola 600, but he did it on fuel mileage and hasn't been able to duplicate the win since that time. I feel like his departure from Hendrick was to be expected considering his lack of performance over the last two years (while everyone else at Hendrick has done so well).

Mark Martin joining the team shouldn't be a huge surprise either, considering the relationship he has had with them the last few years. What surprises me is he is coming out of semi-retirement to make a run at that championship that has always eluded him. I personally don't think he'll win the title next year, even driving for Hendrick Motorsports. I do, however, suspect he'll be a serious threat to win next year with Hendrick power under the hood.

As far as Aric Almirola is concerned, the only way for him to get the experience he needs is to drive full time somewhere. If DEI couldn't put together a full time Nationwide ride the next best thing was to go ahead and put him in the No. 8 full time in 2009, so they did. It's probably the best choice they could have made under the circumstances.

Rumor: Tony Stewart set to buy into Haas/CNC Racing and take Ryan Newman with him. Sponsorship is likely to be Office Depot and Jack Daniel's.
Stewart has said for sometime now that he is interested in ownership oportunities in the Sprint Cup series and Joe Gibbs Racing has said for awhile that they won't be selling part ownership to anyone, not even Stewart. So that leaves Stewart with one option, look elsewhere.

Granted, Stewart's contract isn't actually up until the end of 2009, but contracts can be bought out. I'm on the fence about this decision should it become reality, the Sprint Cup Series hasn't seen an owner/driver champion since the late Alan Kulwicki and the few current owner/drivers (Robby Gordon, Michael Waltrip) haven't exactly been lighting the world on fire.

But, on the plus side, rumors seem to indicate Stewart will have some good company with his new team. Ryan Newman is apparently unhappy with Penske Racing and his contract is up at seasons end. Newman and Stewart on the same team could make for a great combination. Sponsorship shouldn't be an issue either, rumors have Office Depot (who is being replaced by Aflac on the No. 99 in 2009) and Jack Daniel's (who is probably going to be replaced by UPS on the No. 07 next year) coming on board to sponsor the team's two cars. If this actually happens, it'll be the biggest move during the silly season this year and much like the Dale Earnhardt Jr. ove last year, people will be waiting to see what happens.

Other moves/announcements/rumors floating around:
Rumors have suddenly surfaced that Teresa Earnhardt is looking to sell her majority ownership in Dale Earnhardt Inc. to an investor, much to the dismay of many longtime Earnhardt supporters. If this happens the team could loose a lot of loyal fans but they may gain the financial backing to catch back up to the NASCAR field.

Caterpillar is leaving the No. 22 Bill Davis Racing machine driven by Dave Blaney to go to the No. 31 car driven by Jeff Burton in 2009. In addition, Bill Davis Racing announced their intent to expand back to two teams in 2009. The U.S. Army is one rumored sponsor and Michael Annett from the ARCA/ReMax Series could get the call to drive the car.

General Mills is leaving the No. 43 Petty Enterprises Dodge driven by Bobby Labonte to join Richard Childress Racing's new fourth team (likely to be No. 33) in 2009. No driver has been announced yet for the new team, but Casey Mears seems like a possible option.

Aflac will replace Office Dept as the primary sponsor on the No. 99 Ford driven by Carl Edwards in 2009. Of course Office Depot is rumored to be joining Stewart at Haas/CNC Racing, should that deal take place.

Bill Elliott will retire from NASCAR competition at the end of the 2008 season. There is no confirmed word yet on who, exactly, will drive the No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford in 2009. The obvious choices would be Jon Wood and Marcos Ambrose. The problem with Ambrose is rumors are floating around that his Nationwide team (JTG Racing) may make the move to Cup next year with him behind the wheel.

With the success of Scott Speed in the Craftsman Truck Series this year their are rumors that Red Bull Racing may try and move him up to the Sprint Cup Series in 2009. They would need additional sponsorship to do it, and that may come from the U.S. Army (another rumored landing spot for this sponsor). I don't expect Allmendinger or Vickers to be replaced and their are no rumors out there saying that is possible either at this point.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. With the NASCAR season a few months from being over things could change in a hurry. Who knows, Tony Stewart might just stay with Joe Gibbs Racing, you really never can tell.