Update

MJ_N_09 · 16 Sep 2011, 05:55

Clint Bowyer to Michael Waltrip Racing w/ 5 Hour Energy as the sponsor. Official announcement to come this weekend.

**GTRMagic** · 16 Sep 2011, 06:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ_N_09

Clint Bowyer to Michael Waltrip Racing w/ 5 Hour Energy as the sponsor. Official announcement to come this weekend.

As an extra car, or replacing someone?

MJ_N_09 · 16 Sep 2011, 06:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

As an extra car, or replacing someone?

3rd Car, No idea what the Number will be....yet.

MJ_N_09 · 16 Sep 2011, 20:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacques Rabbit

One place there isn't much talk: JTG-Daugherty. Their contract with MWR is up, so they could switch suppliers and link up with another team if they want to. Bobby Labonte also has a one-year deal, so he could be a free agent. Labonte did say he will race Nationwide or Truck before start-and-park in Cup, and personally, I think he's at the right age to go do Trucks and try to beat Biffle to the triple crown. He could be competitive there; hell, it would be awesome if Mark Martin goes to drive for Steve Turner full-time in CWTS and battles Labonte and the regulars for a title.

I assume JTG-Daugherty would want to head in a new direction. This year has been their worst. Bobby's past it in Cup, as much as he's my favorite driver, and the MWR equipment...well, if the real cars are so ****, how bad are the hand-me-downs? MWR's also in flux losing personnel and potentially losing NAPA after 2012, so I don't think they're in much of a position to supply further. A lot of JTG-Daugherty's reasoning for being with MWR was that they would get Bayne in 2012, and Truex later, to groom them. Neither driver is with MWR anymore.

So you have to wonder that if they want development guys, do they link up with a Roush and get Stenhouse part-time and split the ride between him and Labonte or someone else, or perhaps try to get a Hendrick tie-in and give Landon Cassill a go, etc?

Having said all that, they'll probably re-up with MWR and Labonte and keep the silly season vaguely dull.

Jayski has some info that Labonte is gonna stay at JTG, but looking to end ties with MWR. Speaking of MWR, looks like no formal announcement yet about the new team for Bowyer, as things aren't finalized.

**FIRE** · 18 Sep 2011, 10:32

Surprised to see KHI leaving trucks.

I thought they were well funded and building trucks for other Chevy teams.

Thanks to Ambrose JTG was secured of lot of attention at the road courses. This season they got not much attention.

Jacques Rabbit · 20 Sep 2011, 14:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

Surprised to see KHI leaving trucks.

I thought they were well funded and building trucks for other Chevy teams.

Thanks to Ambrose JTG was secured of lot of attention at the road courses. This season they got not much attention.

They do build trucks for other teams. Apparently Cale Gale and Rheem have a deal to do a full season in CWTS in 2012; I just wonder where with KHI gone. Joe Denette? But where will he get his trucks?

Labonte got JTG attention at the Daytona 500, though, and seems to have an on-board camera every single week from Bush's Baked Beans. He also made the top ten in most popular driver voting, so he's obviously doing something right.

I had hoped with his past Grand-Am running and winter test in a Ferrari F430 GT2 car he would go to sports cars sooner rather than later. My favorite driver in my favorite type of racing would be really cool.

Oh well. He's not doing sports cars, and he's not doing CWTS. If I have to suffer through another year of Bobby in Cup, I can only hope JTG find a new technical partner that makes them a bit more competitive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ_N_09

3rd Car, No idea what the Number will be....yet.

I heard it would be 55. Front Row Motorsports will sell it back; it may even just be on loan to them to begin with.

MJ_N_09 · 21 Sep 2011, 02:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacques Rabbit

They do build trucks for other teams. Apparently Cale Gale and Rheem have a deal to do a full season in CWTS in 2012; I just wonder where with KHI gone. Joe Denette? But where will he get his trucks?

Labonte got JTG attention at the Daytona 500, though, and seems to have an on-board camera every single week from Bush's Baked Beans. He also made the top ten in most popular driver voting, so he's obviously doing something right.

I had hoped with his past Grand-Am running and winter test in a Ferrari F430 GT2 car he would go to sports cars sooner rather than later. My favorite driver in my favorite type of racing would be really cool.

Oh well. He's not doing sports cars, and he's not doing CWTS. If I have to suffer through another year of Bobby in Cup, I can only hope JTG find a new technical partner that makes them a bit more competitive.

I heard it would be 55. Front Row Motorsports will sell it back; it may even just be on loan to them to begin with.

Makes me wonder why Front Row used the 55 over the 64, a number that they've (under Gunselman) run in 2009-10, with a few races this year.

Also, Mountain Dew will take over for AMP, an energy drink they own, as the sponsor when National Guard isn't. A paint scheme for next year will hopefully be out soon.

kurski · 21 Sep 2011, 07:57

http://www.scenedaily.com/blogs/bobp...e-in-2012.html

Quote:

Jacques Villeneuve Interested In Red Bull Team
By Bob Pockrass, Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Among those who have inquired about purchasing the Red Bull assets is former Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve.

His business manager confirmed that Villeneuve has inquired about buying the team, but gave no indication of whether talks have been productive.

Villeneuve has never hidden his interest in Cup racing and if the Canadian driver can find investors to put him in a seat, he likely would do it.

He also could have investors purchase the team with the idea of him running a partial Cup schedule along with another driver.

MJ_N_09 · 22 Sep 2011, 17:15

The Bowyer to MWR announcement is close. Also interesting that Scott Miller (Burton's old crew chief?) has left RCR for MWR. Could this be the cc for Bowyer? Would be shocking and hilarious if Bowyer's announcement was actually for another team. To have the resources for the 3rd team, MWR ended its alliance with JTG, who is rumored to switch to Fords with a Richard Petty alliance. Labonte staying regardless.

As for Red Bull and Villeneuve, if he actually buys the team, I don't see it ending well for some reason.

**FIRE** · 22 Sep 2011, 18:25

Do you really see Villeneuve buying the team? I don't take this serious.

MJ_N_09 · 24 Sep 2011, 02:32

Eddie Sharp Racing has bought the KHI truck equipment. They now have control of the #8 and #33 trucks, while the #2 will be gone. Could Piquet and Hornaday stay as drivers next year?

Also, just a heads up. Red Bull is now saying that there is a chance they could stay in Nascar. It all depends on factors (like marketing and cost-to-benefit).

MJ_N_09 · 24 Sep 2011, 21:52

Actually no. They are shutting down in December. Team needs a buyer or else alot of people are out of jobs.

Paradise City · 24 Sep 2011, 21:54

Villeneuve and Kimi should plug together to buy that team. Red Bull might even consider a discount.

Jacques Rabbit · 28 Sep 2011, 16:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ_N_09

Eddie Sharp Racing has bought the KHI truck equipment. They now have control of the #8 and #33 trucks, while the #2 will be gone. Could Piquet and Hornaday stay as drivers next year?

I'm fairly confident at least one of the two will not return (Hornaday) as there are rumors of another driver replacing him. Piquet's lawsuit winnings helped him get the #8 this year, so it's all about the budget, though he hasn't been bad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paradise City

Villeneuve and Kimi should plug together to buy that team. Red Bull might even consider a discount.

Oi. Two guys who think they're bigger than the sport. That'd be a team I'd love to see get the results it would: none. Neither could cut it in Cup.