It's interesting with the article that came out that says Hendrick full-Right now, because i was thinking the same thing yesterday. Although i think that Jr still wont be at Hendrick, i still say there could be an open seat at Hendrick. I look at the Kurt Busch situation a couple years ago. I never thought Kurt would leave Roush, especailly after just winning a championship, but im suprised that i didnt notice something about him that i think his brother suffers from and that their ego maniacs and that they like to be liked. Here's a couple scenarios. I could see Jr headed to the 18 car without Bud and like a dog that tries to follow the kid to school and cant and goes back home, i see Bud staying at DEI. Similar to when Kurt left Roush I think Kyle leaving Hendrick could have the same positive outcome. Kurt wanted to be the top driver at the organization and improve his popularity(and make a whole, whole lot more money!) and realized that even when Mark Martin retired, Matt would be the top driver and Kurt would be second fiddle and the same goes for Kyle at Hendrick., in that even when Jeff Gordon retires, he'll still be second to Jimmie Johnson and i think that Kyle wants to be like big bro, the top driver at an organization and be liked by fans. That's why i see the #8 car in Kyle's future. I think that Kurt saw the #2 car in that it was competitive, it's just that Rusty's talent couldnt get it to be as competitive as it truely was and i wouldnt be suprised if Kyle looks at the #8 car the same way and he could be top driver there. There has been some talk(and i completely disagree with both situations of defining Rusty and Dale Jr's talents and believe they're unfounded if that's how the Busch brothers.which is my opinion and observation, of what they might percieve these two great racers, Jr and Rusty) that Jr is overated and that he isnt as talented as percieved. He may also think that he could pick up the fans that Jr looses that will remain loyal to DEI, although not many, and that Kyle could gain some Earnhardt fans by driving for Seniors organization. Now, if Kyle goes to the 8 car and if Jr is at Gibbs, that leaves a door open at Hendrick and i think the guy Hendrick would go after to fill it would be Biffle. I could see, like when Penske bought McMurray out of his contract with Ganassi so he could go to Kurt's ride at Roush so Kurt could go to Rusty's, i could see Bud buying Biffle out of his contract with Roush(he might figure since i got to be down to four cars anyways, might as well make some money off of it) so Biffle would fill Kyle's seat at Hendrick(i know that Chevy has been interested in Biffle and that Biffle has been impressed with Hendrick's performance) and Kyle goes to the #8 Bud car, havin a Busch brother represent Anheiser-Busch beer, maybe we would finally get to see that beer sponsor bet that they wanted to do last year, Kyle Busch vs Kurt Busch, Bud vs Miller Lite, that'd be cool! Another scenario could be with Jr sliding into the #5 with Bud as sponsor and i could see UPS splitting with MWR(they gotta be disappointed when they arent even in races and Denny and the FedEx car are running up front week to week and UPS is suppose to be the Official Delivery Company of Nascar) and they could buy Kyle out of his contract with Hendrick and he could be in the #8 UPS Chevy and Kelloggs would move to the #25 car with Mears since National Guard only does one year contracts and renews every year, i could see them pulling out after this year and being replaced by Kelloggs. And i'd still see Biffle gone from Roush either heading to the #18 at Gibbs or the fourth car at RCR, having him reunited with Burton, i think that would be a good combo! I know they are silly season theories, but i said last year that Mayfield would be out at Evernham and that Sadler would replace him and it happened so i've been right before, but i've been wrong as well! There could be more silly season scenarios that could be added to these as well. Instead of Roush just having Biffle contract bought out, rumors have swirled around Ryan Newman and i've heard Roush has inquired bout Newman before, maybe Newman takes Biffle's ride instead, but then that leaves the door open in the 12 car. I know when Mayfield missed the Daytona 500 last year, that Penske was one of the people that told Mayfield if there was anything he could do to help, just ask so there is still some friendship and respect between the two. Maybe Mayfield slides back into the 12 car again, and maybe see Bill Davis and Ward Burton reunite by Davis putting Ward in the 36 car? I know that Ward has gotten the #4 car into quite a few races this year and has been a pretty good qualifier! I know the 4 car has made more races than the 36 car! Another one is that Bass Pro Shops contract with DEI is over after this season and that they're looking elsewhere, ive heard maybe Gibbs, so i could see Napa heading back to DEI and sponsoring Truex Jr next year! I know these are some long shots, but might as well have fun with silly season scenarios!
I think when Jr. finally signs his contract with his new team, there will be alot of positions being shifted in a hurry. Like a couple years ago We will need a tally sheet to figure out which car the drivers are in.
I could see Bass Pro Shops signing with Gibbs as a major sponsor for the 18 car or a fourth car. They already are a sponsor the 20 car so becoming a major sponsor for one of the Gibbs car would be a logical step.
I could see maybe Interstate Batteries and Bass Pro Shops could do like McMurray's car where Crown Royal and Irwin split the sponsorship. But according to Hammond on prerace, his sources say that it could be in the next ten days to two weeks, that Jr announces that he'll be with Gibbs with sponsor VISA. I really hope that's true, but you know that we'll have to wait and see. The Toyota rumor may fight with that but i just really dont see Gibbs splitting with Chevy, i mean honestly it looks like his organization is second on the totam pole, but i think he's even with Hendrick, they just have to get the finishes to show that and Toyota may be dominate and Tony has the championship provisional if he needed it, and there's alot of money involved with Toyota, but you know Gibbs has to be seeing the struggles that Bill Davis, Red Bull, and Waltrip Racing is struggling and that's got to be a bit of a deterient. And i know that DW disagreed with Hammond, but this article is what DW wrote here at foxsports:
which is aligned with what Hammond says. And you know that Gibbs has already said that they wont be starting a fourth team, so you know who'll be out of a ride if this is true. We'll just have to wait and see. Im also aggravated with everyone jumping on Denny Hamlin for getting mad for losing the race at Darlington, and i know you win and lose by a team, but that's one of the easiest goin guys ive ever seen and i think he's a class act, and people need to lay off of him!
Also, some amendments since i first wrote this blog, i say that if Newman leaves, he's replaced by Sam Hornish Jr and that Reed leaves by his own choice like Mears, maybe goes to DEI, RCR or even possibly Rigg's ride. I think if Busch's ride wasnt to open, i think Biffle will be in RCR's fourth car, and i'd be tickled to see Biffle and Burton teammates again, except this time ill pull for them since i didnt last time because of the cat in the hat Roush!
