The silly season so far

With silly season really getting kicked off last week with the announcement that Tony Stewart would be leaving Joe Gibbs and becoming part owner of Haas/CNC Racing, I thought it might not be a bad idea to go ahead and put here everything we already know about the 2009 season.

Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 Chevrolet
Mark Martin will join Hendrick Motorsports full time in 2009 and take one last shot at a championship. Current sponsorship is expected to remain with the team.

Roush Fenway Racing No. 6 Ford
AAA leaves this team at seasons end, meaning Roush Fenway and driver David Ragan are in need of a new sponsor.

Dale Earnhardt Inc. No. 8 Chevrolet
Aric Almirola will drive this car full time in 2009, allowing Mark Martin to move to Hendrick Motorsports. Rumors have the U.S. Army shopping its sponsorship around to other teams so sponsorship is uncertain.

Penske Racing No. 12 Dodge
Ryan Newman and Penske Racing part ways after 9 years and a Daytona 500 win in 2008. Newman is the top choice to drive the second Stewart Haas Racing Chevrolet in 2009. David Stremme, Martin Truex Jr. and Casey Mears seem to be top choices to replace Newman.

Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 Toyota
Tony Stewart leaves to form Stewart Haas Racing. Joey Logano is expected to replace Stewart in 2009 but no announcement has been made. No word on the status of current sponsor Home Depot.

Bill Davis Racing No. 22 Toyota
Current sponsor Caterpillar leaves to join Richard Childress Racing on the No. 31 Chevrolet. Rumors have U.S. Army as a possible replacement.

Richard Childress Racing No. 31 Chevrolet
Caterpillar joins the team as a replacement for AT&T, who can no longer sponsor the team after 2008 due to an agreement with NASCAR and Sprint. Burton will remain the driver.

Richard Childress Racing No. Unknown Chevrolet
General Mills leaves Petty Enterprises and joins RCR as the sponsor for its fourth team. Rumors have Casey Mears as the top choice to drive for this new team in 2009, but Scott Wimmer could also drive for this team. Car numbered is expected to be 33.

Boston Ventures/Petty Enterprises No. 43 Dodge
Boston Ventures bought into Petty Enterprises during the 2008 season, allowing the team to re-sign Bobby Labonte. General Mills leaves for Richard Childress Racing, leaving this team searching for a sponsor.

Stewart Haas Racing No. Unknown Chevrolet
Tony Stewart leaves Joe Gibbs to become part owner of Haas/CNC Racing, renaming the team Stewart Haas Racing. Stewart will drive one of the teams two cars, rumors have Stewart's car number being 14 and sponsorship coming from Office Depot and Old Spice. Announcement could come at Indianapolis

Stewart Haas Racing No. Unknown Chevrolet
The second Stewart Haas Racing team. Ryan Newman appears to be the top choice to drive this car. Sponsorship could come from UPS, Jack Daniel's or Burger King. Martin Truex Jr. could also drive this car or maybe even a third car.

Roush Fenway Racing No. 99 Ford
Aflac will replace Office Depot as the primary sponsor on the No. 99 Ford driven by Carl Edwards in 2009.