Regan Smith will replace Sterling Marlin in the No. 14 car next week at Indianapolis, and Joe Nemechek has been released from his duties in the No. 13 car as Ginn Racing continues its ongoing restructuring.
"We are starting our future now," said Jay Frye, Ginn Racing's CEO and general manager. "A lot has been said about our program recently and this shows we've been working hard to solidify our future."
Marlin said he was shocked by the news.
"You know, it kind of caught me by surprise," the driver said Wednesday [ Wednesday? That would be hard to do since it is only Tuesday] evening on Sirius Satellite Radio. "I guess they've got to do things to reorganize and do what they gotta do. And, you know, I do have a valid contract with them and they gotta do what they say they're gonna do and everything will be fine."
Marlin said he would have liked the situation to be a little more classier.
"Well, you know, the classiest thing to me would have been to finish the year out," Marlin said. "I didn't make it any secret that I was planning on cutting back next year, running 15-20 races. But to do something in mid-year, just totally unexpected -- you know, Joe [Nemechek] had the same thing happen to him -- and, you know, it's sponsor-driven. "... I can get up and look in the mirror and know I've done everything right. I don't think that's the case on the other side so I'll just leave it at that."
I just don't understand Sterling. I call it and he is shocked? What world is he living in? The imaginary world of the old elementary school library book "Fair Play?" He is (was) my favorite race car driver. But his ignorance of the business of NASCAR just blows my mind.
Or is it just a good ole boy act that fakes out his less than average educated fan base but has grown weary on my ears? If he was so shocked, how come many of us knew he and Joe were scheduled to be on that Sirius broadcast this afternoon?
I don't know what to think really. But barring a sponsor riding to the rescue, putting him in a Furniture Row car, and some kind of bizarre victory at Bristol or another short track this year, I probably won't be worrying about it much longer.
How about that Jamie McMurray and that win at Daytona? Huh? Huh? Nudge, nudge. Say no more, say no more.
These are some real crackerjack news reporting agencies aren't they? Where are their damned editors? Asleep at the press? Do they even have proof readers anymore? Spellcheck ain't gonna catch what ####' day it is.
jayski's got a link that says Sterling might end up in a second Morgan-McClure car. Some of these guys are starting to look pretty desperate to stay in the Cup Series, at any level. (See also: Schrader, Ken.)
Sterling wants to keep driving some. I don't understand why. I guess he just likes driving. The money is good. But he doesn't need it.
More than one driver has stayed ou there too long. Petty did. Waltrip did. More recently, Schrader, Kenny Wallace, Ward Burton and Ricky Rudd are.
I have a lot more respect for people like Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin and Terry Labonte who know when to say when. Bill Elliott is in a class by hiumself. He has proven to have an uncanny ability to drive anyones car and help them out. See his recent renaissance in the Wood brothers car.
If Sterling goes to MMM, I'll give him a chance to pull off a miracle this year before giving up on him.
I do not like the way things at Ginn went down. However, all you had to do was look at Ginn's business record to know that he might do something like what he did.
Given Ginn may merge with DEI, might MMM merge with Haas? Burton plus Marlin = two car team + Haas = four car team (franchise for 2009)?
I have inserted a missing "k" and corrected my spelling. I never mind correcting my English, and welcome any such comments from any blogger. Now, if you are just a message board poster, you can keep your damn mouth shut.
Who the #### is this mudminnows? We know he is a racist. I expect he may be an acquaintence from a Sterling Marlin board. Unfortunately, he would fit right in with the crowd. However, they are already lamenting their demise, so they may not be around long anyway.
You sounded serious. I couldn't tell. Your way to forgiving to be one of those Marlin acquaintences. No problem with me then. I sure do not want to act like Lisa.
Don't take offense if I call you a d---####. I call my best friends and some of the finest people that. If I call you a stupid MF you know I am serious
LOL. Well keep going and you can probably even call me a stupid ####.
I lost a brother in a drunk driving accident. He was hit head on by a drunk driver. I went to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) meetings for awhile. I used to call myself a #### against drunk driving.
Back to racing. Do the think the "youth movement" at Ginn racing will create any better results
than with Marlin and Nemecheck. Some of these things hve turned out OK, but in my opinion, most of the time, results actually get worse. I am esentially indifferent to Marlin and Nemecheck, but this seems to be an example of what ails NASCAR and that is that drivers, owners and NASCAR sell their souls and intergrity for "A few dollars"!
The Ginn movement simply sets up the scenario for Bobby to merge with Teresa where he should be more successful. But I do not expect a miracle or anything. Regan looks strong but he hasn't done that much yet. Almirola has certainly shown promise as well. But one official Busch win does not make a Cup career.
I do not think I have ever deleted a comment. I let the record stand and people judge it for what it is worth, or not worth.
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