Ryan Newman Lands A Ride in 2014

Good news for Ryan Newman fans... he's landing a ride with Richard Childress Racing in the No. 31 Chevy for the 2014 season!

Yay!

And it seems that Caterpillar will be his sponsor for the year.

(Which seems like a contradictory bit of news, considering news headlines last week on Burton leaving the car was due to sponsorship.)

The No. 31 team (crew, chief, etc.) will be staying put from this year, and will be working on the momentum they're building for next year.

They say Newman will be a good fit.

And this could be a great move for Newman, putting him in a mainstream team that has good resources.  (I was worried he'd have problems going to an independent team, if that situation were to arise.)

Newman apparently had chatted with Richard Childress about five years ago about driving for them, but it wasn't in the cards then.  But obviously, with the situation at both SHR and RCR, well, now it worked out.

{sm.com}
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Mark Martin, Kurt Busch and Kevin Harvick: News and Perspectives

Mark Martin is looking to help the No. 55 Michael Waltrip Racing machine to perform to the best of their ability... and he has no plans or confirming any plans for anything in 2014.  At least for now.

In 2013 he'll be behind the wheel in 24 races.

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Kurt Busch had a quiet off-season.  We didn't hear about him cussing out any press or getting arrested for anything.

So that means he can focus on his newish ride with Furniture Row Racing.  I almost forgot he started with the team in the last 6 races last year with the team.

There's also a good chance that Kurt can be looking at a long-term contract with FRR.  ANd I presume, that's contingent on his not blowing up any time soon at anyone or anything.

And team general manager Joe Garone said they want Kurt to focus more on the car than anything else, and to relax about any image issues.

And that may very well be the key to helping him mellow out, to not keep him focused on the very thing that has riled him up.

He should make a good showing this year with FRR.  We'll see.

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I almost forgot that amongst all the news of the upcoming season, that Kevin Harvick is leaving RCR for Stewart-Haas Racing.  And Richard Childress himself confirmed where Harvick is going.

Harvick and SHR have not confirmed or deny the move.  Contractual obligations are just plucky annoying.

It will be a good year for Harvick to show just what he can do.  He's been subtle and quiet in a consistent fashion.  Nothing that stood out with winning lots of races, but he's always been in the hunt.

There's just one magical piece of "go" that's been missing and if they hit that mark, he could be a force to contend with.

And once he leaves RCR, no news is floating around as to whether Budweiser will be going with Harvick or staying with RCR.

If (really?  If?) Austin Dillon steps into the car in 2014, one has to wonder if Budweiser will take a chance with this young, proven performer.

--Bruce

Harvick To Leave RCR?

After Dale Earnhardt passed away at Daytona in 2001, Richard Childress turned the ride over to Kevin Harvick.  RCR changed the number from the black No. 3 to (at the time) a mostly white No. 29 Chevy.  And the rest was history.  Kevin Harvick, to many, is the staple at RCR, or at least, up until the 2014 season, that is.

ESPN is reporting that sources are telling them that Kevin Harvick will be leaving RCR after the 2013 season and joining Tony Stewart's shop, Stewart-Haas Racing for the 2014 season.

The news stunned many fans across the board, and it seems, Richard Childress was amongst the stunned.  Or at least irritated.  When reporters tried to chat up this development, he didn't respond so well, suggesting that reporters focus on news and events in the present.

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Kevin Harvick has been a quiet closer in many Sprint Cup races over the last few years, but not a dominant winning contender.  And IF this news is anywhere close to accurate, (Judging from the grumpy demeanor of Childress, it might seem to have some validity), then Kevin Harvick will be joining the SHR of Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, & Danica Patrick.  (barring an sponsor issues.)

This leaves the No. 29 seat wide open for the 2014 season.  I was thinking about trying to analyze who might fill the seat belts of the car, but 2014 is a long way off, so who knows.  Austin Dillon?  Elliott Sadler?  Or who else might be available and looking for a ride in 2014?

All I can say is this is crazy, a bit disappointing, and a surprise.  Or was it?  News was that Kevin Harvick almost left back in 2010 the last time his contract was up.

All said...  silly season for 2014 has started extremely early.

[ESPN]

NASCAR Appeals Panel Statement on the No. 27 RCR Car (No Overtuned Penalties)

In regards to the No. 27 RCR Chevy and their appeal of the infractions found after the Michigan race, in short: All findings upheld.

via press release

National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel Statement

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 10, 2012) – The National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel today heard and considered the appeal of the No. 27 Richard Childress NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team.

The penalties concern Section 12-1: Actions detrimental to stock car racing; Section 12-4K: If, in the judgment of NASCAR Officials, race equipment that has been previously certified or previously approved by NASCAR for use in an event, pursuant to sub-section 8-12, has been altered, modified, repaired or changed in any matter. Intentionally modifying previously certified frame rails for the purpose of deceiving NASCAR's inspection gauges.

The penalties stemmed from a post-race inspection at the NASCAR Research and Development Center on Aug. 21 following the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Michigan International Speedway on Aug. 19.

The original penalties assessed were:

·         Car owner (Richard Childress): Loss of 25 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship car owner points;

·         Car driver (Paul Menard): Loss of 25 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship driver points;

·         Crew chief (Richard Labbe): $100,000 fine; suspended from NASCAR for six weeks; placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31;

·         Car chief (Craig Smokstad): Suspended from NASCAR for six weeks; placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31;

·         Crew member (Grant Hutchens): Suspended from NASCAR for six weeks; placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.

The Appellant did not appeal the loss of 25 championship car owner and 25 championship driver points or the $100,000 fine and six-week suspension of crew chief Richard Labbe, who began serving his suspension from NASCAR Sept. 4. The Appellant did appeal the six-week suspensions of Craig Smokstad and Grant Hutchens.

The Appellant acknowledged that the No. 27 car failed post-race inspection.

Upon hearing the testimony and carefully reviewing the facts, it was a unanimous decision by the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel to uphold the original penalties assessed by NASCAR. Therefore, both Smokstad and Hutchens' six-week suspensions from NASCAR will be effective immediately.

The Appellant has the right under Section 15 of the rule book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate Officer.

Dale Pinilis

Robert Yates

Jack Housby

Jason Cohen – Appellate Administrator and non-voting member

RCR Names it's 2009 Driver Lineup

Richard Childress Racing announced their driver lineup for the 2009 season on August 23rd.

The No. 07 Jack Daniels car will be driven by Casey Mears.
The No. 33 Cheerios / Hamburger Helper car (A new car for the team) will be driven by Clint Bowyer.

I'm glad for Casey Mears after being dumped by Hendricks Motorsports, getting into a decent team but I'm miffed at Jack Daniels demanding the younger driver.

Oh well, what are ya gonna do in these times?

source

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The 31 Team can Keep Their Present Sponsor

Great news for Jeff Burton, Richard Childress Racing and the 31 team:

AT&T can appear on Burton car through 2008! AT&T will be allowed to sponsor the NASCAR Nextel Cup car through 2008 but must come off after next season, said David Garver, AT&T executive director of business development and wireless sponsorship. As part of the agreement, NASCAR agreed to drop the $100 million countersuit against AT&T.

It's short term ( a one year extension) but it doesn't leave the 31 team in the lurch.

scenedaily

Dario Franchitti, Richard Childress, Fourth Team?

by Bruce Simmons

So how many other series drivers are really coming to NASCAR.

Juan Pablo Montoya actually made the jump to NASCAR. Albeit, his best success has been on road courses, but it seems obvious he will take to the ovals fairly soon.

Sam Hornish has been dabbling in the Busch Series, but to no real success that I can see.

Scott Speed was in the rumor mill earlier this week, but I wasn't paying attention. I assume that if his scenario starts to pan out, we'll hear more about it in the coming weeks or months. As noted in the article, "the owner of the Red Bull energy drink empire has indicated that Scott Speed, recently fired from a Formula One outfit backed by the beverage company, may be bound for NASCAR."

But now, a new name has been thrown into the mix, because the next open-wheel driver to break into NASCAR could be Indianapolis 500 champion Dario Franchitti!

Dario Franchitti is friends with Richard Childress and Childress is possibly plotting a fourth car for him. (Hence the 4th car rumors?)

Childress notes that Franchitti races as hard every lap, first or last, and to me, that may be a warning sign, since Montoya drives like that now, and is ticking off several competitors in the process.

For the details, see nascar.com

Kenny Wallace in a Childress Car

Now is the time to shine Kenny. He's driving the Childress #2 Busch Series car this weekend at Gateway!! Go Kenny!! Show 'em what you got!!

A Snippett for Scott Wimmer Fans

Wimmer is on the comeback trail, rebuilding his career at Richard Childress Racing. In his past five Busch Series races, he has finishes of 10th, ninth, third, fourth and third. Last week at Kentucky, he was in the mix for the victory when he raced from the rear to the top five midway through the race and finished third.

(And it's great to see him prove himself, after Richard Childress giving him a chance!)

See the entire article at:
nascar.com