Things are all afoul within the ranks of Richard Petty Motorsports. Rumors were that the foul-mouthed Kurt Busch was headed to RPM, at the behest of long-time sponsor, Best Buy. And folks started wondering what would become of A.J. Allmendinger?
Though that was only a rumor, fans were already threatening boycotts of Best Buy. We didn’t even know if it was a true NASCAR news item or not, but the people threatened to speak with their wallets just because of that newmor! (news-rumor= newmor.)
Then earlier this week we heard that Best Buy left Richard Petty Motorsports and landed on the hoods of Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards, each sharing the sponsor amongst a few races.
That should have been an interesting clue or preview to what was to come, since Best Buy was A.J. Allmendinger‘s sponsor over at RPM. But instead, all some fans did was worry about what was to become of the up and coming new guy in the ranks, Allmendinger.
No need to worry gang.
I just caught a piece from Dave Moody’s blog that A.J. Allmendinger is headed to Penske Racing for the 2012 season, wheeling the No. 22 Dodge that Kurt Busch had been vacated from.
Shell-Pennzoil is pretty happy about this driving appointment also.
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Check Out the Crew-Chief Musical Car Bit…
A. J. Allmendigner’s crew chief under the red and yellow No 22 (Well, it was red and yellow last year) will be Cup-Chief-Newbie Todd Gordon. But he’s not new to the team. He’s crew chiefed the No. 22 in the Nationwide Series.
Todd Gordon is replacing Steve Addington, who took over as crew chief for Tony Stewart’s No. 14 car, replacing Darian Grubb.
Darian Grubb was booted from the No. 14 car, but that had been in the works long before the season ended. He went over to Joe Gibbs Racing.
Joe Gibbs Racing let Denny Hamlin’s crew chief, Mike Ford, go.
Darian Grubb is replacing Mike Ford on Denny Hamlin’s team, the No. 11 FedEx car.
And at the moment, I’ve not caught any news on if Mike Ford found a shop yet.
Oh, and the much denied exodus of Greg Zipadelli became vapor-denials, as he left Joe Gibbs Racing for Stewart-Haas Racing as Competition Director… and to crew chief for Danica Patrick during her 10-race venture into the Sprint Cup series during 2012. (Seriously, was anyone surprised by Zippy headed over to work with Stewart?)
And earlier, Mike Beam left Roush Fenway Racing for Kyle Busch Motorsports.
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Wow, and that was just a few names in this piece. I think I need a flow chart, but that might get tangled up!
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Photo: Tom Whitmore/Harrelson Photography via NASCAR press.)
