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Garage chatter: The real stories after Loudon
The Danica factor
We've all heard the rumors about the IndyCar Series darling flirting with NASCAR. One report even went so far as to saying that the Andretti-Green racer was set to replace Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 88 Sprint Cup machine — a rumor which was denied by Hendrick Motorsports spokesman Jesse Essex this weekend.
But that doesn't mean that conversations between George Pyne, former NASCAR VP and current president of talent agency IMG which represents Patrick, and Rick Hendrick haven't occurred. However, any notion of Patrick jumping straight from open wheel to Cup competition is absurd.
Jack Roush, co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing, admits he's "interested" in Patrick but says he has not spoken to her personally regarding an opening at his team — although he isn't sure whether anyone else in the company had broached the subject with the driver. He believes Patrick is "probably at the head of the line of ladies that could make it in this sport" and that "she's skilled enough," but she would have to be willing to race a couple of seasons in the Nationwide Series before being prepared to take on the Cup tour. Similar sentiments have been expressed by Ford's marketing reps.
Pyne is expected to be at the track next month so hopefully we'll all find out whether Patrick truly has any interest in stock cars or if this is just a ploy to incite a bidding war between Andretti-Green Racing and rival IRL team owner Chip Ganassi.
What's going on with the Truck Series?
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This is a very delicate subject for NASCAR, which has gained notoriety with the number of start and parks increasing while attendance levels dwindle.
However, despite reports from independent blogger Mike Mulhern, NASCAR Vice President of Communications Jim Hunter says emphatically that there is no validity to a story circulating that the series will shut down.
"There's no truth to it whatsoever," Hunter said. "It's total B.S. The demise of the truck series is the figment of one person's imagination. (Mulhern) has a history of fabricating false stories and this is another example of it.
"We're very aware that (the Camping World Truck Series) is affected the hardest during this economic recession. We're currently looking at options. We've never given up on a series and we're not going to start now."
That said, NASCAR is looking at options to reduce costs such as decreasing the schedule, increasing the number of single-day dates and bringing back the half-time pit stops that could eliminate the traveling crews to five or six members.
One possible solution that is off the table is the use of crate engines. NASCAR VP of Competition Robin Pemberton said they are not a viable option because "they're not durable to last much beyond one race" which would raise costs, not lower them. Pemberton feels the sanctioning body has made "good gains with new rules and regulations" and the series "still makes sense."
The Michael Waltrip Chronicles
The company line at Michael Waltrip Racing is that despite the expected announcement on July 7 that Martin Truex Jr. will join the fold (we're hearing in the No. 56 Toyota), he will not drive the car until next season. And Waltrip will likely continue to run a limited 10 to 12 race schedule in the No. 55 car in 2010.
But the consensus in the garage is that Truex could be in a MWR car as early as the Chicagoland Cup race in two weeks.
A press release from NAPA announcing Waltrip's brother Darrell (also a NASCAR on FOX analyst) as an honorary pit crew member for this weekend Coke Zero 400 has only fueled the speculation that it will be Michael's last race.
For now, I have to rely on MWR Vice President and GM Ty Norris and COO Cal Wells' words that the teams will remain status quo for 2009.
Whatever the case, there is a short list of five crew chiefs to lead the Truex team in 2010 — and they are all heavy hitters.
Now on the David Reutimann front. Reutimann was in a playful mood prior to Sunday's Cup race. Now we know why. He was thrilled to be away from a road course and back to short-track style racing. Reutimann's fourth-place finish on Sunday cut his Chase Zone deficit to a mere 12 points.
Norris said if there was an award for the most improved driver, he believes Reutimann would win hands down.
"I feel like we've been fortunate to polish the diamond because it was rough when he first started in the truck series," Norris said.
The 39-year-old, third generation driver is currently 14th in the point standings in just his second full-time season on the Cup tour. Reutimann's contract is also up at the end of the season, however, MWR has a one-year option available. The company has until Sept. 1 to tie up loose ends, but Wells would like to have everything shored up in the next few weeks.
Reutimann has become a hero for journeymen racers. Not many drivers get an opportunity past the age of 35 to join the Sprint Cup ranks and Reutimann has made the most of it.
Briefly ...
Jack Roush has not made a decision regarding the fifth car at Roush Fenway Racing. According to a NASCAR mandate, RFR has until the end of this season to reduce its operation to four cars. On Sunday Roush said the resolution will be "strictly a deal of making the best sponsor/driver alignments."
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing president Steve Lauletta says he expects to have Aric Almirola back in the No. 8 Chevrolet by mid-August if sponsorship can be secured. Lauletta echoed MWR's sentiments that Truex will not be departing from the No. 1 Chevrolet before season's end.
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