Earlier today I heard that Kelly Bires was bumped from his JR Motorsports ride and was replaced by Jamie McMurray with others filling in under the No. 88 Chevy throughout the year.
Then while driving home, I heard that Mike Bliss was bumped from is Tommy Baldwin ride and being replaced by Johnny Sauter, but Bliss will be taking over for Aric Almirola in the No. 09 car!
But then we have news that Kasey Kahne is saying he won’t be renewing his contract with Richard Petty Motorsports after this year is up… and reports are that Kahne is headed to the No 5 car under Hendrick Motorsports roof in 2012 and possibly driving for Stewart-Haas in the interim. Marty Smith says, well, reminds us that Mark Martin is slated to stay in the No. 5 through 2011.
In the mean time, Clint Bowyer will be driving the No. 21 NNS car at Texas, and that Townley has not been fired from RCR. (Yet?)
Before anyone gets stir-crazy about other drivers, keep this in mind:
- Jeff Gordon: Lifetime contract
- Jimmie Johnson: Extended his contract recently
- Dale Earnhardt Jr: A few years to go in his 5-year deal.
In the end, Bires and Almirola are still floating in the free-agent driver pool, looking for some steps to climb out with. And here we thought silly season starts up around mid-season!
Bonus bit if you made it to this point in this article:
I wonder if Kasey Kahne smells something in the air? RPM doesn’t seem to be doing that badly on the track, but what I’m referring to is not the track performance, but the $90 million loan that RPM is in default on. Yep. Team owner George Gillett says that a restructuring of their loan is on the books and it all looks good. Then again, don’t they need to say that so that any potential or present sponsor doesn’t jump ship on them? Eh, it’s a very complicated scenario that I don’t even want to pretend I understand. I’m a writer. I’m writing. You can check out the link below
[SIRIUS Radio, Final Lap, Marty Smith Twitter Acct, Jim Utter Twitter Acct, Fox Sports RPM Loan]
Feel free to help me out and share my recap of the day! Thanks!
