Changes coming in NASCAR

TennFan · 11-01-2005, 09:19 AM

Don't know whether this has been posted or not but here's some updates for rides for 2006 in the NASCAR Sprint/Nextel Cup.

UPDATE: ESPN's Mike Massaro is reporting that Roush Racing has released 2004 Nextel Cup Champ #97 Kurt Busch from his 2006 contract obligations, allowing Busch to go to the #2 Miller Lite Dodge that Rusty Wallace will be retiring from at the end of 2005. ALSO Massaro is reporting that Jamie McMurray has been released from his 2006 Ganassi Racing contract to drive the #42 Texaco Dodge, allowing him to go to Roush Racing, taking over for Busch in the #97/#28 car or whatever number they will use. So......who goes to the #42 Texaco Havoline Dodge? I am still hearing it'll be Bobby Labonte, and other reports have Ricky Rudd taking the #42 ride over.

**tidwell** · 11-01-2005, 10:08 PM

Gonna be really interesting next year with so much turnover with some of the teams.

Just wonder who will take over the #18 if Labonte goes to Ganassi. Wouldn't think that Gibbs would move up Yeley and Hamlin to full time Cup rides next year...

**MyBloodRunnethOrange** · 11-03-2005, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tidwell@Nov 1, 2005 10:08 PM
[b]Gonna be really interesting next year with so much turnover with some of the teams.

Just wonder who will take over the #18 if Labonte goes to Ganassi.* Wouldn't think that Gibbs would move up Yeley and Hamlin to full time Cup rides next year...

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I'll bet Hamlin winds up in the 11 full time next year. He's been impressive the last few races.

**MyBloodRunnethOrange** · 11-03-2005, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TennFan@Nov 1, 2005 9:19 AM
[b]So......who goes to the #42 Texaco Havoline Dodge? I am still hearing it'll be Bobby Labonte, and other reports have Ricky Rudd taking the #42 ride over.

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They were talking about it on Inside Nextel Cup the other night, and they seem to think Bobby is staying put. Ricky is a possibility I suppose, but I'd much rather see him stay put too. I don't have much use for Chip Ganassi after he let Sterling go to make room for some rookie who has never even come close to winning a Busch race. I have a few other axes to grind with Ganassi too, but I won't get into them here. I'm sure he has a few more unproven guys in Busch who could fill the seat.

**tidwell** · 11-03-2005, 09:52 PM

Yep, Hamlin has been very impressive.

Yeley continues to improve as well. Running really well in the Busch Series to only have 1.5 years' experience in stock cars. He should be ready for the #18 Cup car in 2007 if Labonte sticks around for 2006.

**checkerboard_charly** · 11-03-2005, 09:59 PM

only change i wanna see is carl edwards and jeff gordon banned for being really gay a**holes in a kicka** sport.

these idiots suck. i hate them with passion. dont get me started on nascar.

oh yeah, f*** rousch and hendrick racing.

**IBleedOrange24/7** · 11-03-2005, 10:30 PM

Anyone took a look at the future "NEW" cup cars? Strange, they look like the same cars that used to really race back in the day. Something like 2" taller roof height, 4" wider over all body. They appear much more "box" squared at the nose and rear deacking, take away all the headlight decals and they resemble the 80's model T-Bird, Carlo's.

Seems the attention now is to take away the areo of todays passenger styled design and step back 15-20 years.

The reports i read had a few of todays drivers testing a few different set ups in these nascar prepaired and owned "Future" cars. If i remember right', the only veteran that was asked to test was Jeff Burton. At the end of the day all drivers complained at the lack of rear downforce, but most added it was very much like driving a NCT.

Im not sure why i posted this? I guess with all of the football accountablity talk lately, This NASCAR move could also force drivers to be more accountable with their racing ability and engine builders with their abilities. It could be interesting again come Daytona, Talladega in the next few years.

**tidwell** · 11-03-2005, 11:12 PM

Shoot, it'd be hard for Daytona or Talladega to be anymore interesting... well, Talladega anyway. The racing SUCKS at Daytona with the current aero package they have.

They're trying to make these "cars of tomorrow" like the Trucks in the Craftsman Truck Series. More bulky and square rather than slim and bullet-like. You can tell a noticeable difference in these newer cars from the current bullets they drive from the pictures I've seen.

Driver accountability came back into the equation this year when NASCAR chopped an inch off the spoiler. No surprise why guys like Stewart and Biffle have excelled with the looser cars.

**IBleedOrange24/7** · 11-03-2005, 11:31 PM

Im for it, i think it could help some of the smaller single car teams not getting multiple wind tunnel tests per car/team.

**tidwell** · 11-03-2005, 11:36 PM

If it'll make the racing better, I'm all for it as well. Not that I still don't watch the races anyway...

I've been a NASCAR fan longer than I've been a UT fan... :o Just the first sport I got into.