Jeremy Dunn's Blog
Posted by Jeremy Dunn
Following practice on Saturday, Danica Patrick confronted Milka Duno, the other female driver in the IRL, as she felt that Duno should have allowed the faster cars to pass. Patrick, who has been known to have a short fuse, had some choice words for Milka Duno, who did not take to well to the tongue lashing. Duno quickly reacted and even threw a towel in Patrick's face.
"Unfortunately, things involving me tend to evolve," Danica Patrick said. "I'm on the hot seat when I do something and when others do something (connected to me). It's kind of the line that I walk because I'm popular."
Patrick claimed that she just wanted to know if Duno saw her.
Milka Duno later stated that Patrick may be allowed to push the guys around, but not her.
Posted by Jeremy Dunn
Now that it is official that Ryan Newman will not return to Penske Racing in 2009, a replacement must be found. Casey Mears and David Stremme are two leading candidates for that ride. Both drivers are linked to Penske in some form. Casey's uncle Rick Mears spent years driving for Roger Penske in the open wheel ranks.
Stremme is a test driver for Penske . Additionally, he drives for Rusty Wallace in the Nationwide Series. Wallace and Penske remained friends after they parted ways in 2005.
Michael McDowell, Reed Sorenson, and Martin Truex Jr are rumored drivers as well. However, no one has mentioned Steve Wallace as a candidate for the 12 ride. Rusty's son struggled mightily in his first full season in the Nationwide Series, but he is improving. He has two top five finishes and three top ten finishes in twenty starts, which is by no means striking, but it would make sense for Roger to hire young Wallace.
It seems inevitable that Wallace will end up at Penske one day. No offense to Mears or Stremme, but they have been there done that in Sprint Cup . Neither driver enjoyed much success. Of course, everyone deserves a second chance, which is why Stremme or Sorenson could end up in the ride. But Mears has had several chances. Wallace would be a fresh face.
Some new blood could do that organization some good. Obviously, Wallace would wreck a few cars before he becomes a contender.
Stremme is the logical choice based on the fact that he has tested extensively with Penske's COT program and has outperformed Wallace in the same equipment. He is the best candidate unless Penske can lure Truex Jr away from DEI and other opportunities. But would it surprise anyone if Steve Wallace emerged as a candidate to replace Newman?
Posted by Jeremy Dunn
The fact that Ryan Newman did not renew his contract with Penske Racing speaks volumes. The performance at PRS has been downright brutal ever since the tail end of the 2005 season. Newman and Kurt Busch had their bright moments in 2007, but they were inconsistent.
The drivers are not to blame. If you question Newman's ability, take a look at the 2004 champion Busch. Busch's performances has mirrored Newman's ever since he replaced Rusty Wallace in 2006. Even Wallace had a difficult time in his final years at Penske.
The bottom line is that Penske has the resources to be a upper echelon team. However, they cannot seem to break out of mediocrity, and if they do, it is momentary. Other than a three or four year span in the 1990's with Wallace, and in 2003 with Newman, Penske has never been a threat to Hendrick Motorsports, Roush Fenway Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, or even RCR.
It is not abnormal for a powerhouse team to fall behind. It happened with RCR following the passing of the late Dale Earnhardt. Childress revamped his operation, and after a year and a half of struggles, they began to vastly improve. Penske has not displayed any similar signs.
Busch is growing tired of the mediocre performances, and his contract expires at the end of 2009. If Penske continues as an also-ran, Busch will head to greener pastures.
Casey Mears and David Stremme are possible replacements, but they are significant downgrades. Jamie McMurray is another driver that may emerge as a candidate, but he is a downgrade as well. Martin Truex Jr would be a solid replacement, but why would he leave one midpack team for another?
With potential sponsorship issues on the 12 car, Penske may soon find himself in the same boat as his IRL adversary, Chip Ganassi.
Posted by Jeremy Dunn
Other than the fact that Tony Stewart will drive one of his cars, we do not know much about Stewart Haas Racing specifics. Of course, there are always rumors. Supposedly, Office Depot and Old Spice will sponsor whichever car Stewart drivers. Jack Daniel's, Burger King, and UPS are possible sponsors for the second car that everyone expects Ryan Newman to drive.
The numbers, well, Stewart will probably go for the seldom-used 14 that personified his childhood hero, A.J. Foyt, for over three decades. The other number is likely Morgan-McClure Motorsports' former number 4. However, if Stewart lands Jack Daniel's, the number 7, 07, or 70 would be relevant.
According to multiple Internet sources, Newman will sign with Stewart Haas Racing. Until an official announcement or confirmation from Stewart, I would not count on it. Many acknowledge Newman and Stewart as two of the most cunning poker players in the NASCAR garage. Perhaps they want everyone to believe they will team up. Newman's name has surfaced as a candidate for the fourth RCR car as well as Stewart's replacement in the 20 Toyota. Stewart did not rule out the possibility of retaining Scott Riggs.
Joey Logano is reportedly a candidate to become Stewart's successor in the Home Depot Toyota. The 18 year old driver has impressed a lot of people, but as Clint Bowyer said last week at Daytona, a monkey could win in that 20 JGR Nationwide car. How would Logano fair if he were driving for Phoenix Racing or CJM Racing? There is no denying his talent, but the superior equipment is making him look like the best thing since 'sliced bread'.
Gibbs is a smart businessman, but recall another driver, J.J. Yeley, who had all the potential in the world. Perhaps he should seriously consider Ryan Newman or Martin Truex, Jr.
Posted by Jeremy Dunn
On Monday, there were rumblings that Teresa Earnhardt is looking to sell Dale Earnhardt, Incorporated. On Tuesday those rumors were denied. The reports stated that Max Siegel, currently the President Of Global Operations, had contacted investors in an effort to purchase controlling interest in DEI. Teresa would still own the rights to 'Dale Earnhardt' and 'Intimidator'.
However, the reports were denied on Tuesday.
"We have not engaged Bear, Stearns or Goldman Sachs or anyone else," Siegel said. "We are contacted all the time by outside firms about getting involved in the sport. We are not for sale right now. Nothing is imminent. Are we constantly weighing that as an option? Does that make sense? Quite frankly, we don't know."
One report stated that Teresa Earnhardt is looking to exit the limelight. It is just a rumor, but there are details that insinuate that this could be more than just a rumor.
Meanwhile, DEI and Martin Truex Jr could be closing in on a deal that would keep the two-time Nationwide Series champion in the 1 car until 2012. With Mark Martin's impending departure, DEI can afford to offer Truex Jr a significant raise.
Also, Truex Jr and his DEI team could be facing a 150-point penalty for an infraction discovered last Thursday at Daytont during an inspection. Currently, Truex Jr is 88 points behind 12th place driver Tony Stewart. The rumored penalty would put a damper on his Chase hopes, as he would be a distant 238 points behind.
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