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Getting silly
Talk of offseason changes filters to garages
Posted: Saturday September 01, 2001 7:10 PM
By Stephen Thomas, CNNSI.com
DARLINGTON, S.C. -- Silly season -- the name says it all.
But such is the nature of this time of year when teams feel compelled to issue statements denying that the latest rumor making the rounds is, well, silly. Thus, Petty Enterprises sent a statement to the media this week, refuting a report that Buckshot Jones was out as the driver of the No. 44 car.
"You think you get used to it," read the statement from Kyle Petty, CEO of Petty Enterprises, "but some of the rumors you see and hear these days are incredible. The best thing to do is just ignore them, but some take on a life of their own, so you have to put them out."
Petty's quote, like so many uttered in response to various rumors, would seem to put the issue to bed. And, though Jones may well be driving the No. 44 in 2002, over the years there has been enough truth to purported silly rumors to ensure that things won't be changing any time soon.
While this year is no different, things remain reasonably quiet ... that is, if you discount Petty's news that Buckshot's ride is safe. The truth is, the current rumblings generally pertain to subjects that have been debated for at least a few months. Apparently, the majority of teams are content.
With that, a brief look at what's being discussed in the garage:
Drivers
Robby Gordon: NASCAR'S worst-kept secret. He will be driving the No. 31 for Richard Childress next year.
Mike Skinner: Recent reports have him going to Morgan-McClure, not as a replacement for Kevin Lepage but as the driver of a new team. Word is that Skinner will bring some sponsorship with him, though there's no knowledge on who that sponsor might be.
Andy Houston: Driving in the Busch series for Herzog Motorsports.
Stacy Compton: If Melling Racing can't line up new sponsorship for the No. 92, this team might go away.
Mike Wallace: No news here: He's already been told that he no longer has a job.
Bill Elliott: It is believed that Awesome Bill will not be the No. 1 driver at Evernham Motorsports next year.
Matt Kenseth: This one has been going around for months and while Kenseth is obligated to Roush Racing through 2002, it is believed that he will, in fact, leave when his contract is up. More interestingly, it is said that his sponsor, DeWalt, will leave with him.
Sponsors
Cingular: They'll move from the No. 01 of Jason Leffler to the No. 31 driven by Robbie Gordon. No new sponsor has been named for the No. 01 car, but there is a suspicion that Target, which sponsored a car at Bristol last week and has close ties to Chip Ganassi Racing, may take over.
Lowe's: Will become the primary sponsor on a Hendrick Motorsports car to be driven by Jimmie Johnson.
McDonald's: They are one of two deep-pocket organizations that wants to stay in NASCAR. McDonald's, which recently severed ties with the No. 96 team, only wants to associate itself with a high-profile team and driver. There has been a report that McDonald's approached Joe Gibbs Racing about possibly coming on board, but that Gibbs feels an obligation to his current sponsors.
NationsRent: Will be gone as the primary sponsor on the No. 7 team.
Andy Petree: Lost Oakwood Homes as the primary sponsor on Joe Nemechek's No. 33 car, but insists that the future of the team is secure. "Reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated," Petree said Saturday.
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