While this isn't much of a surprise as this time of year can raise a few eyebrows about which driver is going where, it is somewhat of a surprise for it to be in NASCAR rather than Formula 1. There has been murmurings around Dale Jr and DEI for several months now and it's not really a shock to wake up this morning and find out that he's a free-agent.
So the question is this; who should he drive for?
RCR is the most obvious choice given all the connections and history surrounding Dale Sr, but is it a viable option? They've already got three good teams so would a fourth team stretch the budget too much? Maybe, maybe not....only Mr Childress knows that.
Hendrick motorsports....forget it. I can't see them deciding to run a fifth team and they certainly wouldn't dump one of their drivers just to accommodate Jr. As much as it would wonderful to see Jr driving for the best prepared team, it just isn't an option at this stage I don't think.
So what about Gibbs? That would be a terrific lineup; Hamlin, Stewart and Jr (since I don't think they'd keep JJ....despite that fact that he's having a great season), but would having Jr affect the other two crews....possibly, possibly not. Hamlin is a guy on the rise while Tony gives the team that mongrel and competitiveness they need so I'm not sure they really need Jr.
That leaves....who? Ginn I guess. Now that wouldn't be such a bad idea....Mark is looking to retire and Jr is no rookie. But would Jr go there? They'd have to show that the car is capable of winning....and in the hands of Mark, it has been. However, they have been running Regan Smith in the races Mark is skipping this year, but if there's one thing NASCAR does well, it's cut a deal so I'm reasonably sure Smith could wind up in the 8 car (he's been pretty good in the races he's done so far this year). So is Ginn the dark horse to nab Jr signature....I reckon he could do a heck of a lot worse.
And if worse comes to worse and RCR doesn't want to 'release' the number 3 to another team....well there's always the option of changing the 01 to an 03.
Interesting perspective and we just don't know yet what will happen. Just when you thought you had a lid on every thing,off comes another surprise.Can't wait to see who Teresa merges with to expand her control on a dying enterprise.
I am not thinking Childress anymore. The pressure of DEI seems to have gotten to Jr. The prssure of the three might be too much to. So I am with you there.
Hendrick is the fan favorite. They would have to buy Mears out I imagine. But why wouldn't they do that?
Gibbs is a possibility. I agree they would let Yeley go. But if Jr. brings Bud they wouldn't have to and could add a fourth car.
Ginn is a contender. Sterling will likely retire I believe. Regan Smith will likely get his seat. I think Mark will go again and share a ride with Kraig Kinser. Joe will go again. But Ginn was already planning to add a fourth car. Again, if Jr. brings Bud, deal done.
Now here is a wild card. Rumor is Larry McClure is willing to give Jr. 51% ownership if he can bring Bud. Uh-Oh! The question is, does MMM have enough to add to JR Motorsports to entice Jr.,? It would be a coup for Larry.
i thought falco might be a little bias towards his favoured ginn racing, but he has shown there are many options. the thing that conflicts what jr. is saying is he would like to partner with someone to become a majority owner but he wants to field a competitive car. in my mind the only "competeitive teams" are jgr, rcr, and rhr(take a look into jayjaydeans blog and his analysis of the top 4 positions in every non plate race this year). those spots are owned by these 3 teams.
i don't see any of these 3 giving up ownership
Last edited by williamwilman on May 11th at 7:16 AM.
I think Jr. wanted ownership at DEI because he didn't like the direction Teresa was going and he wanted to change it. It appears to me that he is now looking for a seat as a driver with someone that will still let him do what he wants with DEI and JR like, a, well, RCR? Film at 11:00.
Tez is a rare creature; an Australian who was living in New Zealand before moving to Canada. He's also a Civil Engineer who is hoping to spend his Monday to Friday sitting in front of a computer surfing the inter...uh, working hard for an Engineering Consultant or Contractor when he finds a job. His heart is torn between his two loves; F1 and NASCAR.
Due to his high interest in those, his blogs will likely focus on them with the occasional foray into sports that don't get much (if any) mention on this website. All blogs and/or comments will more than likely have his usual dollop of sarcasm and general Aussie spin on them.
Amazingly, he also managed to score 2 MiB nominations on consecutive days (August 5 & 6, 2007) after announcing he had been keeping track of them...he's considering hiding under his bed as a result.
