By Staff
Dale Earnhardt Jr. was once the most sought after free agent NASCAR driver. He signed with Hendrick. The guy that he replaced, Kyle Busch, then became the hot free agent. He signed with Gibbs. The guy he replaced, J.J. Yeley, has now become the guy everyone wants. Notice a pattern developing?
The domino effect of driver movement is growing stronger and I don't think we have seen the last of the moving and shaking before the year ends. Yeley will have several options and will get a competitive ride. Here's a guy with no wins and one top-five in his 64-race career and several car owners are pledging their love for Yeley.
Richard Childress Racing is still considering fielding a fourth team next season and Yeley will be a candidate for that ride. Since Busch signed with Gibbs, DEI is still in the market for a driver to fill the void left by Junior and Yeley could be in the mix. Ganassi and the Wood brothers could also vie for Yeley's services.
Bobby Labonte's name has also popped up over the last couple of weeks of a driver that could be on the move. Currently driving for Petty Enterprises, Labonte has been mentioned as a guy that could fill RCR's fourth team. Labonte is a past champion and the provisional that comes with him could make a new team with no owner's points, especially in the RCR stable, an ideal situation for him.
Word came late Wednesday afternoon that the Dale Jr. fans will have one more reason to boo and hiss Teresa Earnhardt. After serious speculation and attention, the No. 8 will not follow Junior to Hendrick next season. According to Hendrick's press release, an agreement that made sense could not be reached between the two companies.
It is my opinion that the No. 8 will not be used next season by anyone, although DEI will retain control of the number. Having yet to hire a driver for that team and Budweiser all but officially moving to Evernham and Kasey Kahne, using the No. 8 would put both driver and sponsor in a precarious position. I think DEI's numbers next season will be 01, 1, 14, and 15. I guess we will have to wait and see.
Like many NASCAR fans, I am not usually a big fan of road course races. However, the race last week at Watkins Glen was very entertaining. Don't know if the Car of Tomorrow played a part in that or if it was Kevin Harvick's Hulk Hogan impersonation, but I really enjoyed that race.
Tony Stewart continued his hot streak, winning for the third time in the last four races, and moved up to fourth in the standings. With a blown engine and a 42nd finish, Junior's chase hopes are becoming dimmer. Now 100 points behind Kurt Busch in 12th position, Junior better hope for bad luck for both Busch and his Penske teammate Ryan Newman if he has any chance to make the chase.
Michigan International Speedway is the 23rd and next race on the schedule. This is a place that has been dominated by Ford and Dodge drivers recently. It has been 12 races since a Chevy driver has visited victory lane here, Jeff Gordon in June of 2001.
This is a fast two-mile track that usually produces some exciting finishes. With the pressure on and fighting to get into the chase, my pick to win this week is Ryan Newman.