Truex sets NASCAR carousel of driver moves in motion again

Though Martin Truex Jr. may not have the resume that Ryan Newman has, the soon-to-be former DEI star has every bit of the talent. Chris Graythen/Getty Images

The latest game of musical chairs among Cup drivers is in full swing, as each move sets another move in motion. Let's take a peek at the latest head-spinning moves:

Martin Truex Jr. will probably replace Ryan Newman at Penske Racing next season, filling in another piece of the jigsaw puzzle in an active year of driver movement in Sprint Cup.

Newman, for his part, is likely headed for the revamped Haas CNC Racing operation being put together by Tony Stewart, who will be its new co-owner in addition to a driver.

Mark Martin is almost certain, "99 percent" according to once source, to replace the released Casey Mears in the No. 5 at Hendrick Motorsports for the entire 2009 schedule.

Mears, a source says, has been contacted by four teams. They haven't been identified, but with Truex, Newman, Martin and Greg Biffle (who re-signed with Roush Fenway Racing last week) off the market, he's the top remaining veteran free agent, which should put him at the top of the list for the fourth seat at Richard Childress Racing.

Stewart is the sole driver who may be on the move who has a complication. He's under contract with Joe Gibbs Racing through '09. Stewart wants to return to Chevrolet and the manufacturer is apparently willing to assist in buying out the final year of his contract.

How will the moves affect each driver's current and projected teams? Let's see ...

1. Truex from DEI to Penske.

Penske trades even up, like two 15-game winners in baseball, but gets a driver with a fresh attitude and approach. Truex has only one win, but he made the Chase last year and, at 28, is in his third Cup season. With a load of potential, he's a good bet to get much better.

For Truex, he goes to an organization that has the financial resources for the long run, something DEI lacks. Truex currently is 14th in the points, only 71 behind 12th-place Kevin Harvick, so he still has a chance to make the Chase this year, but it won't change his mind about leaving.

It's a right uppercut to the head for DEI, which was counting on Truex to build its team around him for the long term. Without Dale Earnhardt Jr. to bring in extra money to the company this year, the team has already started sliding into the midpack and it will be difficult to recover. Losing Martin hurts, too, but he was only a part-time driver. DEI is left with Paul Menard and Aric Almirola, who are decent but unlikely to win races or make the Chase.

DEI's biggest problem will be hiring a top-notch driver. Mears has to be on its list, but is he interested?

2. Newman from Penske to Haas-Stewart.

A few years ago, Newman's destiny seemed to be a Penske-for-life driver. He came through the ABC (ARCA, Busch, Cup) development program and won races in each of his initial four Cup seasons -- 12 total -- and went to the Chase twice. But Newman was winless in '06 and '07 and missed the Chase. His victory in this year's Daytona 500 was a great start, but he's 15th in the points with only one more top-five. Newman has cited performance issues as the reason for wanting to leave.

He's a big catch for Haas-Stewart, a fast and smart driver who can win races and make the Chase.

The loss of Newman hurts Penske, who would have preferred to retain him, but it's mitigated by getting Truex.

3. Stewart from Gibbs to Haas-Stewart.

Stewart brings everything a team needs and wants to Haas-Stewart: the ability to win races, championships and attract sponsorships. Stewart has had success with his USAC and World of Outlaws Sprint Car teams, putting together tremendous organizations, and he can apply the same principles to this endeavor, too.

Stewart's departure will sting Gibbs for a season or two, but having Joey Logano to replace him as well as Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin to win races will keep the organization in the top tier.

4. Martin from DEI to Hendrick.

Martin, who will be 50 at the start of next season, has apparently decided to make one more run at the championship, which he's never won, in accepting an offer from Hendrick to run the full season after two straight three-quarter seasons with Ginn and DEI. Hendrick can give him the equipment and the team to do the job and figures, at minimum, that Martin can win a race or two for the fourth team. Martin will also mentor his replacement, probably Nationwide driver Brad Keselowski.

Martin's move hurts DEI on several fronts, reinforcing the image the team is headed downhill and taking away a competitive driver who can also attract sponsorship.

5. Mears from Hendrick to Childress? DEI? Ganassi?

Mears has had a difficult season -- 23rd in the points with one top-five -- but he's the best available and works great with teammates and sponsors, important on an expansion team. Mears has one win and was 15th in the points last year, 14th with Ganassi in '06. The case can be made that with a little good luck and a little better performance, Mears can make the Chase.

His competition for the job probably comes from Scott Wimmer, David Stremme or Reed Sorenson, all Cup veterans without Mears' credentials. For the same reasons, Mears should be attractive to DEI and Ganassi, where Sorenson is expected to depart.

RCR, a Chase team, is clearly Mears' best option.

Hendrick didn't enjoy releasing Mears, who was popular within the team, but it's a performance- and sponsor-driven business. Martin has two top-fives in 12 races this season and 35 career victories in Cup. With Hendrick and some good fortune, he might be able to make that run at the title.