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Fading thoughts as NASCAR leaves Sonoma
Behind Door 2 — Phoenix Racing: With Hendrick equipment, James Finch has already proved he can put Keselowski in Victory Lane.
Behind Door 3 — JR Motorsports: Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been apprehensive about expanding to Sprint Cup, but without factory support for the Nationwide Series now might be the time.
Kelley Earnhardt, president of JRM, said the company is "currently searching for partners to sponsor" the two existing Nationwide teams. Earnhardt added that if a Cup team was to operate out of JRM it is her "understanding of the rules that Rick could not own any more Cup teams," so the venture would have to be solely owned by Dale Jr.
But Earnhardt did not deny an interest in continuing the company's relationship with Keselowski, who is currently third in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
"If there is an opportunity to run Brad Keselowski in the Cup Series, that is something we want to seriously consider at JRM," Earnhardt said. "Obviously, that takes sponsor dollars as well as the need to structure our organization to perform at the Cup level.
"If we do move to the Cup series with Brad, we would also continue to field a full-time Nationwide program. Hopefully, we will know the direction in the next month or so."
Overheard in the garage
Once Martin Truex Jr. announces that he's driving for Michael Waltrip Racing next month, where does that leave Earnhardt Ganassi Racing? With Juan Pablo Montoya — most likely the latest newcomer to the Chase.
But after GM dramatically reduced its assistance to EGR last week, is now the time that Chip Ganassi bolts to Toyota? One hot rumor swirling around the garage was a partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing to run Montoya in a fourth car similar to the situation that Marcos Ambrose has with MWR.
On Sunday, JGR president J.D. Gibbs said, "No, no, no...," but my guess is his bottom line could say "yes".
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