With Options Limited, Keselowski Headed To Penske Racing

Multiple published reports this week say that David Stemme will be out of the Penske Racing #12 Dodge next season, replaced by Brad Keselowski.

While none of the involved parties are commenting at present, sources close to the situation say that intense negotiations late last week finalized a deal to bring Keselowski to the Penske camp with a multi-year contract.

Keselowski was on the Sprint Cup radar long before an upset victory in James Finch’s Phoenix Racing machine at Talladega earlier this season. In fact, he declined an identical offer from Penske a year ago, holding out for a spot in the potent Hendrick Motorsports stable.

Less than a year ago, team owner Rick Hendrick called the Michigan native “the future of Hendrick Motorsports,” but unfortunately, the future was all he could offer. All four HMS Chevrolets are presently filled with top-notch talent, and until Mark Martin finally calls it a career (or Jeff Gordon’s ailing spine forces him into retirement), there is simply no room at the inn.

And so, the driver who once seemed destined to steer a Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet finds himself just weeks away from a Penske Racing Dodge.

What a strange, strange world.

It’s been a long and surprisingly difficult trek for Keselowski. At different points in the process, he has been linked with Hendrick Motorsports, Stewart-Haas Racing, a proposed JR Motorsports Sprint Cup team, Penske Racing, Phoenix Racing and others. In the end, however, every option but one came up empty.

Hendrick ran out of room when Mark Martin said he’d like to run another season. Or two.

Tony Stewart said Stewart-Haas was not yet ready to add a third car.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr., declined to take his team to the Cup series, citing sponsorship concerns.

And Finch – even with promised technical support from Hendrick – has never ranked among the circuit’s elite teams. Eventually, it became clear that Keselowski’s only real option for 2010 was Penske Racing, which rewarded Stremme for yeoman work as a test driver a year ago, only to watch the Indiana native struggle in his first season in NASCAR’s new racers.

Penske Vice President of Marketing Jonathan Gibson confirmed recently that the team has negotiated with Keselowski, saying, "It's no secret we've been talking with Brad. Roger Penske has a history of having great drivers (and) Brad Keselowski is a great driver.”

Even Hendrick sounded resigned to the deal this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, saying, "I won't lose him forever.

"I've said all along I want (Brad) to have the best opportunity,” said Hendrick. “The one thing I told him is, 'Look, if you decide to do something different, I want you to have the best opportunity. Whoever you go to drive for, just tell them don't get pissed off when I come after you.’”

Hendrick has good reason to be graceful. As the unquestioned lead dog among NASCAR Sprint Cup team owners, he understands that he can ultimately have any driver he covets. Everyone’s contract expires eventually, and nobody says “no” to a job offer from Mister H. He’ll get another shot at Keselowski one day, and he knows it.

Hendrick even left the door open for Keselowski to continue driving the JR Motorsports Nationwide Series Chevrolet next season, though the chances of that happening are miniscule. Kelley Earnhardt Elledge told ESPN's Marty Smith recently that there is no way Keselowski could continue with JR Motorsports after signing a Cup deal with a rival manufacturer. In fact, sources tell Sirius Speedway today that Kelly Bires is at the top of Earnhardt Elledge’s list of drivers to replace Keselowski when the Penske deal is announced.

Once, a Hendrick-Keselowski partnership seemed to be written in the stars. But in the end, the deal fell victim to a simple case of bad timing. Too many drivers, not enough rides.

Roger Penske has snapped up one of the most talented newcomers in recent memory, and if all goes well, the deal may go down as the biggest swipe-job since Hendrick himself lured Kyle Busch away from Roush Racing. And if not, Mister H will be waiting.

After all, good things come to those who wait.

Patrick To Stay In IndyCar: OK, we can all stop talking about Danica Patrick now.

Patrick finally admitted Saturday that she and “her brand” will remain in the Indy Racing League, with Andretti Green Racing.

"Every team has its pitfalls and people who are difficult, but I like some of the changes being made for this team (that are) good for me," said Patrick. “This is a great team. It's won a lot of races and there's no reason to think we can't do it again. My deal isn't finalized, but things are going well and clearly moving forward and that's good."

Questioned on her on-again, off-again flirtation with NASCAR, Patrick said, "I think at the end of the day, the devil you know is better than the devil you don't know."

Ambrose's Deal Nothing To Sneeze At: JTG Daugherty Racing has announced that Kimberly-Clark’s Kleenex brand will serve as a sponsor on Marcos Ambrose’s #47 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota in 2010, beginning with the season-opening Daytona 500 in February.

Kleenex will serve as primary sponsor in five races (including Daytona) and as an associate backer in the other 31 events. They have been a major sponsor in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for the past 15 years, most recently with Baker-Curb Racing and driver Jason Keller. Ambrose is currently 17th in Sprint Cup points in his first full season of competition, finishing third behind winner Kyle Busch and runnerup Mark Martin at Bristol Motor Speedway Saturday night.

Sadler Committed To Honoring RPM Contract

Elliott Sadler is downplaying a published report that he will jump from Richard Petty Motorsports to Richard Childress Racing next season, replacing Casey Mears in the #07 Chevrolet.

FOXSports.com’s Lee Spencer reported this week that Sadler could move to RCR next season, with part-time sponsorship from Jack Daniels. Sadler declined to comment specifically on the story today, saying simply, “I am committed to my race team, and have a contract through the end of the 2010 season.”

While Childress and the Emporia, Va., driver do speak from time to time, it’s generally about hunting, not racing. And well-placed sources at sources at RCR tell Sirius Speedway that there have been no talks about bringing Sadler to the team in 2010.

Testing, Testing, 1-2-3: NASCAR took 11 engines to its Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C. for analysis following yesterday’s race at Michigan International Speedway; part of an ongoing series of tests to monitor the horsepower and torque being produced by the various teams and manufacturers.

NASCAR will test the engines of Chevrolet’s Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Clint Bowyer and Juan Pablo Montoya, Toyota’s Brian Vickers, David Reutimann and Denny Hamlin, Ford drivers Carl Edwards, and Greg Biffle, and Dodge’s Sam Hornish Jr. and Elliott Sadler.

Accavitti Pledges Support: Dodge CEO Mike Accavitti said this weekend that the automaker remains committed to NASCAR, and will remain involved in the sport even if it loses Richard Petty Motorsports to Toyota.

Sunday at Michigan International Speedway, Accavitti called Dodge’s involvement in NASCAR “a match made in heaven." He refused to speculate on the future of Richard Petty Motorsports, which continues to negotiate with both Dodge and Toyota about the 2010 season. He did say, however, that the team has been paid everything it is owed, erasing some past-due bills resulting from the automaker’s recent bankruptcy filing. He also confirmed that the Dodge could remain in the Sprint Cup Series with only the three Penske Racing teams, if necessary.

In his words, "You really only need a couple of good cars."

More Jerry Springer, Coming Right Up: After a two weeks of relative calm on the Jeremy Mayfield front, Catawba, NC, police officials now confirm that they were called to Mayfield's home Saturday to answer a trespassing complaint that involved Mayfield’s former stepmother, Lisa Mayfield.

Jeremy Mayfield phoned police Saturday, alleging that Lisa Mayfield was drunk, banging on his door and threatening to kill him. Lisa Mayfield testified recently that she witnessed her former stepson snorting methamphetamine on numerous occasions, then sued him for slander after he called her a whore and a gold-digger. Mayfield has promised to file a wrongful death lawsuit against her, saying he believes she played a role in the 2007 death of his father; a death that was officially ruled a suicide.

Phoenix Sets NNS Lineup: Phoenix Racing Team Manager Marc Reno, said Friday that Sprint Cup drivers Ryan Newman, Reed Sorenson, Max Papis and Martin Truex Jr will drive the team’s #1 NASCAR Nationwide Series Chevrolet, replacing the recently fired Mike Bliss. Sorenson will reportedly steer the car at Michigan and Bristol, with Papis running the road course in Montreal, Newman driving at Atlanta, and Truex Jr. at the controls at both Richmond and Dover. Ironically, Bliss drove the Phoenix Racing #09 Sprint Cup entry Sunday at Michigan, finishing 38th.

Commentary: It's Time For NASCAR To Rein-In Robby Gordon

Robby Gordon’s car owner needs to have a long talk with his driver.

Saturday at Watkins Glen International, the Peck’s Bad Boy of NASCAR lost his legendary temper for the second time in as many weeks, retaliating for some perceived slight by pushing Joey Logano’s GameStop Toyota into a tire barrier at high speed, after the caution flag had flown for an unrelated incident. The crash caused Logano’s car to erupt in flames, and triggered a series of angry comments from the normally low-key driver after the incident.

“I guess he was upset because this is one of the two tracks he thinks he has a chance on,” said Logano. "It's a pretty raw deal. You can't fix stupid. It's forever. But you put that in your memory bank."

Gordon had little to say immediately following the race. The next morning, however, he sought-out NASCAR officials to explain his side of the story, and even issued a press release on the topic.

“(The) whole turn of events started with Joey running into the back of my #55 in Turn 10,” said Gordon. “He then knocked me sideways in Turn 11. To show him my displeasure, I ran him down toward the inside wall on the front straight. I tried to do a crossover move in Turn One to get back by him. However, I misjudged a little, resulting in both of us getting flat tires.

“During the final incident that ended Joey's day, we were racing for the Lucky Dog position. After the bus stop chicane, Joey wrecked the No. 34 of Tony Raines. This contact allowed me to get underneath him in Turn 9. He saw that I was going to pass him for the Lucky Dog position, so he tried to block me. This maneuver resulted in his right rear tire connecting with my left front. I felt he would be okay because he was in the section where the outer loop was. Rather than going down the inner loop, he decided to cut across the grass, hitting the tire barrier.”

Saturday’s incident was not the first involving Gordon this season. Just seven days earlier at Pocono Raceway, Gordon and driver David Stremme were penalized five laps apiece for multiple bumping incidents, culminating when Stremme spun Gordon on the Long Pond straightaway.

Prior to the crash, Gordon announced on his in-car radio that he would intentionally wreck Stremme, and didn’t care what NASCAR did about it.

Gordon’s most notable outbreak of bad behavior came in 2007, when he wrecked leader Marcos Ambrose late in a Nationwide Series race in Montreal, refused to forfeit his position when ordered to by NASCAR, ignored multiple black flags, then cut a series of victory donuts following the race. His actions earned him a suspension from the next day’s Sprint Cup race at Pocono.

There is a lot to like about Robby Gordon. He is one of NASCAR’s last true owner-drivers, going it alone in a sport dominated by multi-car teams and multi-million dollar alliances. His talents at the wheel of a racecar are beyond dispute, and he appears on virtually everyone’s list of potential winners when the Sprint Cup Series stops at either Infineon Raceway or Watkins Glen.

Unfortunately, the same maverick mentality that makes Gordon so unique in the garage sometimes makes him a hazard on the racetrack.

“This is a highly competitive sport, and we are all very passionate when we are on the track,” said Gordon in his published statement. “Tempers have a tendency to flare.”

Unfortunately, Robby’s fuse has become dangerously short, and it’s time for NASCAR to dampen his powder. Sprint Cup Series Director John Darby said no decision had been made about penalizing Gordon for his actions Saturday, adding that Robby's behavior in Monday's rain-delayed Cup race would play a role in his decision on whether (and how hard) to drop the punitive hammer.

Gordon raced like a choirboy Monday, minding his manners en route to an 18th place finish.

Historically, NASCAR has done a good job of policing situation like these privately, with unscheduled “Come To Jesus” meetings behind the offending driver’s transporter. If such a meeting hasn’t already taken place, it should.

One of NASCAR’s most talented drivers is rapidly becoming one of its most dangerous, and that trend cannot be allowed to continue.

Notebook: RPM Still Talking To Toyota

Multiple sources at Richard Petty Motorsports tell Sirius Speedway that RPM is still mulling the possibility of moving its entire operation to the Toyota camp in 2010. RPM spokesmen have downplayed reports of a possible manufacturer switch in recent weeks, but sources say that talks are ongoing with both Dodge and Toyota. No decisions have been made, but in an attempt to cover all their bases, the team recently had a series of publicity photos taken of Kasey Kahne and a Budweiser-sponsored #9 Toyota Camry.

Red Bull To Stay Put: Published reports today say that Red Bull Racing will remain in the Toyota camp for 2010 and beyond. General Manager Jay Frye traveled to Austria recently to meet with team owner Dietrich Mateschitz and choose between Toyota and Chevrolet, and to solidify the status of Brian Vickers, who is in the final year of his current contract.

Frye told Sirius Speedway last week that an official announcement will be made in the next 7-10 days, and sources close to the team say that Toyota will get the nod. Vickers will return to the team with a new multi-year contract, and will also run a limited schedule of NASCAR Nationwide Series races next season with Braun Racing.

New Bullet For FoMoCo: Ford Motor Company will debut its new NASCAR powerplant this weekend at Michigan International Speedway. The engine features improved horsepower and torque curves, as well as an improved cooling system, allowing teams to run more tape on the nose to improve downforce.

No specifics have been announced yet, but at least some of the five Roush-Fenway Racing Fords are expected to run the new engine Sunday.

Smoke: Too Late For Third SHR Entry In 2010

Tony Stewart said yesterday that he doubts Stewart-Haas Racing will expand to three-car operation in time for the 2010 season.

With both Stewart and teammate Ryan Newman solidly among the Sprint Cup Series’ Top-12, speculation is rampant that a third car could be added in time for next season. Both Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick are rumored to be talking with Stewart-Haas about steering the team’s third Chevrolet next year, but Stewart said Tuesday that it’s too late to begin putting a third entry together for 2010.

“We’re at a point in the season right now where we’re getting close to the Chase, and we’re focused on that,” he said. “We would have to have the decision (and) the agreements on all that already done. We’d have to have the driver, the sponsor… done by now to be able for it to be feasible for next year.”

While repeating his desire to make Stewart-Haas a four-car team some day, the Sprint Cup points leader said now is not the time to expand. “W’re not going to have (four cars) just for the sake of having them," he said. "We want to make sure we’re running well before we add a third team, and have all three running well before we add a fourth.”

Hamlin Mea Culpa: Denny Hamlin admitted yesterday that he wrecked David Reutimann at Pocono, and said he wants to find a way to atone for his mistake.

Hamlin turned Reutimann around late in Monday’s race, triggering a wreck that also swept up Reutimann’s Michael Waltrip Racing teammate, Marcos Ambrose. It turned a sure Top-10 finish -- Reutimann was eighth at the time of the crash –- into a disappointing 29th-place showing, and badly damaged Reutimann’s bid to make the Chase for the Championship. He entered Pocono just 68 points out of the Top-12, but now is sixteenth in the standings, 121 points out.

Hamlin admitted being over-aggressive in his attempt to get to the front of the field, saying, “It was a lot of emotion. I (had) guys in my mirror that I know I’ve got to race for the win.” He said he will attempt to smooth the waters with both Reutimann and Ambrose beginning this weekend at Watkins Glen, adding, “I’ve got to make it up to those guys somehow; cut them some breaks on the track or something.”

Reutimann has taken the high road since Monday’s incident, bemoaning the crash and its impact on his championship hopes, but refusing to criticize Hamlin.

No Camaro In Nationwide: Fans hoping that General Motors would follow the example set by Ford Motor Company and enter the new Camaro in competition on the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series had their hopes dashed today by news that the automaker will forge ahead with plans to campaign the Chevy Impala.

Auto Week magazine quoted GM Racing boss Mark Kent saying, "We've looked at racing the Camaro, and one thing we do not want to do is to force the car where it shouldn't be. We looked at… running the Camaro in the Nationwide series. That was a request made of us by NASCAR, (but) because of the need to have templated bodies in that series, we felt that… we were compromising the bodylines of an iconic car. At the end of the day, we just could not get the Camaro in the Nationwide series to satisfy our requirements.”

Dodge and Ford will race the Challenger and Mustang, respectively, while Toyota has yet to officially announce its new Nationwide Series nameplate.

COMMENTARY: Would Everyone Please Just Shut The Hell Up?

William Shakespeare had it right when he said, “The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers.”

Landmark Newspapers reporter Dustin Long wrote a fascinating article Wednesday, bringing to light documents filed by both sides in the NASCAR v. Mayfield suit, including e-mail transcripts between the attorneys for both sides that do little to enhance the reputation of the legal profession.

In an e-mail to Mayfield’s attorney, NASCAR attorney Helen Maher outlined the fundamental difference between the two sides in recent weeks; the inability to agree on a lab to test Mayfield’s B Sample.

"Thank you for agreeing to participate in a call with the judge,” she wrote. “We need you to select a lab that is capable of testing for methamphetamine, amphetamine and pseudoephedrine.”

Amphetamine is a byproduct of Adderall, while pseudoephedrine is the active ingredient in Claritin-D. Mayfield claims that test results have been falsely skewed by his use of prescription Adderall to treat a diagnosed case of ADHD, and Claritin-D for allergies.

“LabCorp is not capable of conducting such testing,” wrote Maher. “Please confirm that you are refusing to select a laboratory that is capable of conducting the appropriate testing so that we can call the judge."

Buric responded sarcastically, writing, "Blah blah blah. I did not say I would refuse to participate, I told you it was stupid to make the call. If you call the judge, patch me in. For the tenth time, we already selected the lab. Now for the eleventh time, all together now, "LAB CORP. is our lab of choice."

Maher restated NASCAR’s contention that LabCorp is incapable of performing the necessary tests, writing, ”As we have consistently told you, the selection of the independent lab is contingent on the lab's ability to test for the drugs at issue in this case. We attempted to contact LabCorp. on Friday to determine whether it was capable of conducting such testing. Despite our being on hold for nearly two hours, we were unable to reach a live operator.”

Buric replied, “It would be nice for you to be completely candid about what I say. It would also be nice to get an email from you that is not riddled with self-serving commentary. I told you many times, I don't care what you think.”

With that kind of legal counsel advising him, it's no surprise that Mayfield’s recent remarks have been straight out of The Jerry Springer Show. Sadly, there is no sign that things will improve anytime soon. U.S. District Judge Graham Mullen set the Mayfield v. NASCAR case for jury trial beginning on September 13, 2010, leaving 14 long months for the rhetoric to continue. In addition, Lisa Mayfield filed a defamation lawsuit against her stepson Wednesday, seeking compensatory damages in excess of $10,000 and punitive damages in excess of $10,000.

The suit results from comments made after Lisa Mayfield testified that she witnessed her stepson taking methamphetamine approximately 30 times between 1998 and 2005, that she witnessed him manufacturing the drug himself until the ingredients became too difficult to obtain, and that he used meth just days before an event at Darlington Raceway nearly a decade ago.

Jeremy Mayfield has alleged that NASCAR paid Lisa Mayfield for her testimonony, calling her “a whore… (and) a gold-digger” and accusng her of playing a role in his father's death. Lisa Mayfield claims that she "suffered damage to her reputation as the result of the Defendant's defamatory statements ... and has undergone great mental suffering and emotional distress as a result of the Defendant's action in defaming her."

The suffering of NASCAR Nation increases exponentially with every word uttered by anyone associated with this case.

(Read Dustin Long's column HERE)

RPM Contraction Not Yet A Done Deal

An internet report claiming that Reed Sorenson will be released by Richard Petty Motorsports as part of a downsizing of the team's Sprint Cup roster appears to be premature.

The Ford Racing website dished a little dirt on the competition this week, reporting on rumors that Sorenson will be replaced by former Champ Car star A.J. Allmendinger when Allmendinger's #44 Dodge is mothballed within the next few weeks. However, a source close to the team -– speaking on the condition of anonymity –- said today that while the move is being discussed, Sorenson's release is not yet a done deal.

"No one is sure that it's going to happen," said the source, "but it's definitely being talked about. The team is working on the details right now." If RPM does indeed decide to trim its roster from four cars to three, Allmendinger's current sponsors would transfer to the #43 Dodge.

Calls to Richard Petty Motorsports seeking comment were not immediately returned.

Mayfield Trial Date Set: A trial date has been set for Jeremy Mayfield's lawsuit against NASCAR.

U.S. District Judge Graham Mullen has ordered that the jury trial begin on September 13, according to documents filed yesterday. Mayfield is currently suspended from NASCAR competition after a May 9 drug test allegedly revealed high levels of methamphetamine in his system. His suspension was lifted by Mullen last month, but reinstated by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals last week.

Mayfield is asking for reinstatement to NASCAR, and monetary damages.

#26 Team Out At Roush Fenway: Roush Fenway Racing President Geoff Smith confirmed yesterday that the team’s driver lineup for 2010 has been finalized.

After inking a partial-season sponsorship with Crown Royal for Matt Kenseth’s #17 Ford, Smith said, “Roush Fenway Racing's Sprint Cup driver lineup will see Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards and David Ragan joining Matt Kenseth to round out our four approved entries. We are still hoping to be able to transfer the #26 team intact to Yates Racing, in order to keep everyone employed and racing within the Ford community."

Driver Jamie McMurray is rumored to be talking to Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing about the seat in their #1 Chevrolet next season.

BREAKING NEWS: Ford Tabs Mustang For 2010 Nationwide Series

Ford Motor Company announced today that it will field the Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, beginning with a limited rollout of the series’ new car in 2010. The Mustang is a legendary make in drag racing, road racing and drifting, but it has never competed in any modern-era NASCAR-sanctioned series.

Brian Wolfe, Director of Ford North America Motorsports, made the announcement today, saying, “We're excited about Mustang coming to NASCAR. It's the most successful product nameplate in racing history, and it seems only right that it should be coming to the most popular form of racing in North America. We had been talking with NASCAR for some time about Mustang as part of its vision for a 'muscle car' rollout for the Nationwide Series. We both saw it as a way of differentiating the series from Sprint Cup. We loved the idea, so we jumped on the chance to extend Mustang's racing legacy to a new series reaching a huge and loyal audience.”

Ford Racing Communications Manager Kevin Kennedy told Sirius Speedway Tuesday that the new NASCAR Mustang will be more stock-appearing than the Sprint Cup Ford Fusion, adding that the appearance of the car was at the top of FoMoCo’s wish list. While declining to comment on the direction Chevrolet, Dodge and Toyota might take with their versions of the new Nationwide car, Kennedy confirmed that NASCAR would like to make the series a pony-car/musclecar-based platform.

Ford Racing has already completed the official NASCAR submission and approval process for the new car, and production of Mustang parts will begin once templates are finalized. Teams are expected to begin building cars for testing later this fall.

NASCAR: Multiple Witnesses Saw Mayfield Use Methamphetamine

NASCAR says it has "a significant number" of witnesses who will testify to Jeremy Mayfield’s long-term and recent use of methamphetamine.

Attorneys for the sanctioning body said those witnesses are reluctant to testify in the aftermath of disparaging comments made by Mayfield about his stepmother, Lisa Mayfield, after she said recently that she witnessed him snorting methamphetamine approximately 30 times over a seven year period. Mayfield called his stepmother “a whore” and “a gold-digger,” and accused her of murdering his late father.

NASCAR also filed documents with the court Monday claiming that Mayfield lied to a federal court judge when he said a July 6 request that he report for immediate drug testing went directly to his voice mail. The sanctioning body says it has an audio tape of the conversation with Mayfield, in which he was instructed to report to a testing center and submit a sample. Mayfield has testified that he did not hear the message until 40 minutes later, making it impossible for him to meet NASCAR’s two-hour deadline to provide a sample.

The sanctioning body is asking U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen to lift a July 1 injunction that allowed Mayfield to return to racing.

No More Good Hands: Allstate announced yesterday that it will not return as title sponsor of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.

The Illinois-based insurance company has served as title sponsor for the last five years, but its contract expires at the end of the year. Company spokesman Raleigh Floyd said the Allstate's decision was not a result of flagging attendance for this year’s event, but rather a desire to expand its Olympic and college football sponsorships. IMS spokesman Ron Green said the track was informed months ago of the decision.

Lagasse Out At CJM: As Sirius Speedway first reported early last week, Scott Lagasse Jr. is out as driver of the CJM Racing #11 Toyota. Lagasse is currently 12th in championship points, but will be replaced by Denny Hamlin in a pair of upcoming events, with a full-time driver to be named later.

Published reports say that Kelly Bires could run some races for CJM later this season, with America's Incredible Pizza Company remaining on the car only through this weekend’s race at Iowa Speedway. The company says it will continue its marketing campaign with Lagasse, prompting speculation that they and Lagasse could move to another Nationwide Series team for the remainder of the season.

2010 Roush, Yates Lineups Taking Shape

Yates Racing co-owner Max Jones says he plans to run at least two full-time cars next season, including the #98 Ford with driver Paul Menard and Menards sponsorship. Jones discounted reports that Menard might race elsewhere in 2010, saying that a deal is in place to retain both driver and sponsor.

Jones said talks are underway about continuing the team’s partnership with Hall Of Fame Racing for another year, but that it is uncertain whether Bobby Labonte will return in the #96 Ford next year.

Yates Racing could also absorb one of Roush Fenway Racing’s teams when NASCAR’s new four-car limit is implemented, and Roush Fenway President Geoff Smith revealed for the first time that Carl Edwards (Aflac), Greg Biffle (3M) and David Ragan (UPS) will definitely remain with the team next season. He said Matt Kenseth’s status depends on securing a new sponsor to replace the departing DeWalt, and that he would like to keep both Kenseth and Jamie McMurray in the Ford Motor Company camp, one way or another.

Roush Fenway recently told McMurray that he is free to talk to other organizations, but Smith stressed that McMurray and his #26 Ford could still return to the organization in 2010.

McMurray has reportedly been contacted by Earnhardt Ganassi Racing about replacing Martin Truex Jr. in the #1 Chevrolet after his contract expires at the end of this season. Edwards, Kenseth and Biffle all signed multi-year contract extensions with Roush Fenway last year. Crown Royal has two years remaining on its contract with the team, but could be moved to Kenseth's car if another backer is not found.

Sources tell Sirius Speedway that while many options are still under consideration, the most likely scenario is for McMurray to drive the EGR #1 Chevy next season with sponsorship from Bass Pro Shops, with Crown Royal joining a new, partial-season sponsor on the quarterpanels of Kenseth's #17 Ford.

Decisions Imminent At Red Bull: Red Bull Racing Vice President/General Manager Jay Frye left for Austria today for a series of meetings with team owner Dietrich Mateschitz that should finalize the team’s manufacturer and driver lineup for 2010 and beyond.

Brian Vickers' contract extension is believed to be a formality at this point, but a well-placed sources within the team told Sirius Speedway today that a decision about remaining in the Toyota camp or jumping to Chevrolet “could go ether way.” Toyota is offering more in terms of financial support, but their engines still lag behind Chevrolet in terms of both horsepower and torque. Both manufacturers have offers on the table, and Mateschitz and Frye will weight both options before making a decision later this week.

Mayfield Liquidates: Mayfield Motorsports is no more.

Jeremy Mayfield liquidated almost all of the team’s remaining inventory last week, selling his transporter, six Toyota racecars and an inventory of parts to fellow team-owner John Carter.

Carter fielded a former Mayfield Toyota for Terry Labonte at Indianapolis Motor Speedway yesterday, and Labonte will run at least four more times for the team at Michigan, Bristol, Atlanta and Charlotte. More races could be added, contingent on sponsorship.

Four former Mayfield Motorsports employees – including crewchief Tony Furr – are now working for Carter, and while Mayfield said last week that a new, major sponsorship deal was “80-percent done,” Carter said he is not interested in having Mayfield drive for him.

In his words, “that wasn't even discussed."

Chitwood Leaving Indy For ISC Role

Indianapolis Motor Speedway President and Chief Operating Officer Joie Chitwood will step down after this week's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Chitwood will become Vice President of Business Operations for International Speedway Corporation after completing his final day with IMS on Thursday, August 6.

ISC has also announced that W. Grant Lynch Jr. will become Chairman of Talladega Superspeedway and Vice President of ISC Strategic Projects. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Belskus will assume the daily responsibilities of managing the Speedway. It has not been determined if Chitwood will be replaced.

"This is a disappointment for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway," said Belskus. "Joie provided the leadership you would expect for a facility that hosts the largest sporting events in the world. With his history in the sport combined with his business acumen, Joie was well-suited for the role of president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and we appreciate how he has represented IMS. We wish him all the best."

Chitwood joined the IMS staff as Senior Vice President of Business Affairs in October of 2002, and was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer of IMS in December, 2004. His family connection to IMS dates to the late 1930s, when his grandfather began competing in the Indianapolis 500.

COMMENTARY: Mayfield Becoming More Difficult To Believe

The three-ring circus surrounding suspended NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield has taken on a life of its own, dragging Mayfield and the sport itself into a Springeresque black hole of baseless accusations and mindless shouting.

It all happened quickly; so quickly that many of us aren’t quite sure how we got into this mess, much less how to get out. Recall that on February 19th of this year, Mayfield Motorsports crewmember Paul Chodora was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR after violating the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy. Mayfield responded with a glowing endorsement of that policy, saying, "Mayfield Motorsports respects the decision by NASCAR to indefinitely suspend Paul Chodora. We as an organization appreciate NASCAR's drug testing policies and policing efforts, as (they) make the sport stronger overall. If Paul doesn't comply with NASCAR's reinstatement process, then he will no longer be an employee of Mayfield Motorsports."

Just five months later, Mayfield’s viewpoint has twisted 180 degrees. After once demanding that his employee follow NASCAR’s reinstatement requirements to the letter, Mayfield now refuses to do so himself. In his words, "I don't need to go to rehab, because I don't have a problem."

After once applauding NASCAR’s drug enforcement effort for “making the sport stronger,” Mayfield now alleges that it is fatally flawed by design, and even corrupt in its execution.

After initially basing his defense on the possibility of a laboratory mistake, Mayfield now accuses NASCAR of intentionally “spiking” his urine sample in an effort to drive him out of the sport. No evidence has been offered to support those claims, and one can only wonder how his attorneys feel about their client undermining their carefully crafted defense with an escalating series of wildly outlandish claims.

Mayfield questions the veracity of NASCAR’s official laboratory, Aegis Labs. He claims to have undergone approximately 15 drug screenings since his suspension, with only the NASCAR-mandated tests producing positive results. Unfortunately, all we have is Mayfield’s word on that, since virtually no documentation has been produced.

He and his attorneys did produce a test from a company called LabCorp this week, showing no discernable levels of methamphetamine in the subject's system. Unfortunately, Mayfield’s name does not appear anywhere on the document. In addition, the test results found no amphetamine levels in the sample. Amphetamine would almost certainly be present in a subject who -– like Mayfield -- is taking prescription doses of Adderall for a diagnosed case of ADHD.

What specific tests were performed by LabCorp, and by whom? Were proper procedures followed? At present, we just don’t know.

If Mayfield has indeed passed more than a dozen drug tests, he and his attorneys should do what NASCAR has done; entering the complete results of those tests into the court record, and answering all questions about where, when and how those tests were conducted.

More than a week ago, NASCAR requested that Mayfield and his attorneys select a laboratory to test the B sample from his latest (July 6) drug test. That test has still not been performed, because none of the labs chosen by Mayfield are able to distinguish between methamphetamine and the combination of amphetamine (Adderall) and pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D). If Mayfield is as clean as he claims to be, he should welcome to opportunity to show the world exactly what is -- and isn’t -- in his system. His refusal to do so raises serious questions about his innocence.

I want to believe Jeremy Mayfield. I really do. He’s been a frequent guest and good friend to Sirius Speedway over the years, and never impressed me as a guy wandering around with a snoot full of meth.

But these days, I’m not sure what to think. It’s all become so… bizarre.

Just minutes after talking about the “humiliation” of peeing in a cup in front of medical professionals, Mayfield announced that he has a full-time video crew documenting every minute of his life; presumably even in the loo.

Days later, he called stepmother Lisa Mayfield – who testified that she saw her stepson snorting methamphetamine at least 30 times over a seven-year period -- “a whore” who “shot and killed” his father, Terry; officially a 2007 suicide victim.

He vowed to serve Lisa Mayfield with a wrongful death suit last Thursday, then didn’t.

He openly implied that NASCAR Chairman Brian France is a drug user, saying, “France… talking about effective drug policy, is kind of like Al Capone talking about effective law enforcement.”

I’ve looked everywhere I can think to look, and found no evidence to support anything Jeremy Mayfield says. No proof, no documentation, just a series of wild accusations from a man who seems to be spinning further and further out of control.

It’s all terribly sad, and it’s becoming harder to believe every day.

Mayfield Failed Second Test; Adderall/Claritin Mix Ruled Out As Cause

NASCAR filed documents in District Court this week asking the judge to vacate his July 1 order allowing Mayfield back behind the wheel of a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racecar.

The filing included a large amount of new evidence, including documents claiming that Mayfield once again tested positive for methamphetamines in a screening conducted last week. NASCAR’s attorneys claim that additional tests were performed on Mayfield’s latest urine sample; tests which rule out the possibility of an Adderall/Claritin D mixture being mistaken for methamphetamine. They also claim that Mayfield’s latest sample was “very dilute,” alleging an excessive consumption of water by Mayfield in an deliberate attempt to defeat the test.

The filing contends that the levels of methamphetamine in Mayfield’s sample are consistent with those seen in habitual users who consume high doses of methamphetamine, develop a tolerance for the drug and therefore do not display outward signs of drug use.

On last night’s “Late Shift” on Sirius NASCAR Radio, Mayfield responded to the news of his second failed drug test, telling co-hosts Nate Ryan and Buddy Baker that he was expecting the positive test result. "I didn't think they were going to come back and say I was clean," he said. "That's just not (the) way they want to work anymore.”

Mayfield accused NASCAR of being unwilling to consider the possibility of his innocence, saying, “they have a hard time admitting when they're wrong or done something wrong. We all know that, whether we admit it or not. It's just part of the battle, part of the things we're going to have to fight."

Mayfield repeated his previous assertion that he has been targeted by NASCAR as a driver who would “go away for 30 days or whatever and come back… and drive again. I was a good example for their policy.”

He claimed to have undergone two non-NASCAR mandated drug screenings at facilities of his choice on the same day as NASCAR’s most recent test. Asked whether those tests had been negative for methamphetamine, he said, “I promise you they'll show different results than what they (NASCAR) show." He claimed to have had “up to 15 or 16 different tests that show clean. The only two that show positive are the ones that come from (Dr.) David Black down at his lab.”

As part of NASCAR’s filing, Mayfield’s stepmother, Lisa Mayfield, testified that she has direct knowledge of Mayfield’s drug use dating back to 1998. In an affidavit, Lisa Mayfield testified that she witnessed her stepson using methamphetamine approximately 30 times over the years, including at least once before a race. She testified that Mayfield “cooked” his own methamphetamine until it became too difficult to obtain the ingredients, then began purchasing the drug directly from dealers.

Mayfield reacted angrily to those allegations, saying, “I'm not even going to call that lady my stepmom. That was a lady who was married to my dad who is very, very angry at me. A lady who pretty much shot and killed my dad. In the next few days, you'll be hearing more about that. She's a very evil lady (who) obviously can be bought, and her time's coming. (She) doesn't like me whatsoever, and doesn't deserve to even have the Mayfield last name.”

Despite two interviews with national media in the last week, Mayfield claimed, “I haven't said anything for awhile. I've been real quiet, letting (NASCAR) do their own deal. Let Ramsey (Poston) run his mouth on a daily basis. I'm not going to lay down. I'm going to stand up for what's right. That's the way I am, and who I am. They can try and throw every little tactical thing they can throw at me, but I can promise you I'm not going down.”

Mayfield said he is no longer focused on resurrecting his NASCAR career, saying, “It's not going to work out for me. I can't afford to… pay employees and pay people to work on racecars when we don't have the money to do that. We're putting all of our resources… into fighting this to the end. And that's what we intend to do.”

Harvick To Stewart Haas? There's More To The Story

Sports Illustrated is reporting today that Kevin Harvick has asked Richard Childress to release him from his contract one year early, at the end of this season.

SI cites multiple sources saying that Harvick hopes to jump to Stewart-Haas Racing next season, where Tony Stewart has said his team would field a third Sprint Cup entry, if sponsorship is available. The report claimed that Harvick will take his sponsor with him to Stewart-Haas Racing, when Shell-Pennzoil’s deal with RCR expires at the end of the season. RCR spokesman David Hart disputed that claim, however, telling Sirius Speedway via e-mail that Shell’s contract with RCR extends through the 2010 campaign.

Our sources say that while Harvick is indeed talking with both Stewart-Haas and Childress about changing teams next season, Shell-Pennzoil is not a part of the equation. If Harvick changes teams next season, it will likely be with the backing of Jack Daniel's, which currently backs RCR driver Casey Mears.

Hart said that RCR is “currently in negotiations with Jack Daniel’s to extend its current contract” beyond the 2009 season.

Mayfield Has A Backer: Jeremy Mayfield has a sponsor for next weekend’s Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.

SmallSponsor.com owner Robert Craddock said late last week that he believes Mayfield is innocent of the substance abuse charges leveled against him by NASCAR, and is negotiating with a Fortune 500-level company to join him in sponsoring the Mayfield Motorsports #41 Toyota.

If necessary, Craddock said he has the means to back Mayfield himself.

SmallSponsor.com backed Mayfield prior to his suspensionm and was also on the car during J.J. Yeley’s one-race tenure as driver. Mayfield Motorsports team manager Bobby Wooten said of the deal, “We’re waiting for Robert to get everything put together. If he can bring to the table what he says he can, we’ll be more than glad to get out there with him.”

SHRUB SIGHTING!

Loyal listener Ed Carpenter spotted "The Shrub" in the infield at a recent Sprint Cup race. Who says today's drivers don't mingle with the fans?

ISC's "Track Pack" Ticketing Under Review

Race fans, your complaints have been heard.

Last weekend, Chicagoland Speedway hosted the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series “Lifelock.com 400” before a less-than-capacity crowd. Since NASCAR first visited Chicagoland in 2001, seven of the track’s eight Sprint Cup races have been sellouts. The other -- in 2007 – had only a few of the track’s 75,000 seats unsold.

Last Saturday night, there were large chasms of empty seats on both ends of the grandstand. In addition, some fans complained they were denied an opportunity to purchase single-day tickets to the event, being told instead that they would have to purchase a “Track Pack,” which includes tickets for other race events at the speedway.

Ranging in price from $195 to $260, Chicagoland Speedway’s “Track Pack” included tickets for the weekend’s NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series events, as well the August 28 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race and an August 29 appearance by the IRL IndyCar Series. The Joliet oval is not alone in selling combo ticket packages. In fact, a number of tracks that host the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series do business the same way.

In 2010, however, Chicagoland Speedway -- and its sister International Speedway Corporation facilities -- will consider abolishing the “Track Pack” requirement, allowing fans to once again purchase tickets for individual events.

''We need to do everything we can to get back to a sellout in 2010,'' said Chicagoland Speedway President Craig Rust. ''The Track Pack provides a lot of value when you look at it. But it's something that needs to be looked at.''

ISC President John Saunders agreed, saying recently he anticipates “that at certain events we will unbundle ticket packages, as well as adjust prices in other sections of the facilities.'' He called the change “a high priority of our management team, to optimize attendance and revenue generation in what we expect will continue to be a challenging economic environment.''

Keselowski The Belle Of The Ball

One year ago, Brad Keselowski was under consideration for a full-time ride in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He eventually signed for a full season of Nationwide competition with JR Motorsports, and a handful of Cup starts with both Phoenix Racing and Hendrick Motorsports.

This time around, Keselowski is the belle of the Sprint Cup ball, with at least three major teams reportedly vying for his services.

FOX Sports reported today that Keselowski is “the top candidate” for Penske Racing’s #12 Dodge, replacing David Stremme. After doing yeoman work as Penske’s test driver a year ago, Stremme currently stands 32nd in Sprint Cup points, prompting speculation that a change could be in the works. Keselowski was reportedly offered the Penske ride a year ago when Ryan Newman left the team for his current spot at Stewart-Haas Racing.

Keselowski is also being linked with Red Bull Racing, if Red Bull jumps from the Toyota camp to Chevrolet next season. Rick Hendrick said Saturday that Hendrick Motorsports has the resources to provide engines to Red Bull next season, and Red Bull General Manager Jay Frye is set to meet with team owner Dietrich Mateschitz this week to finalize their driver and manufacturer lineup for 2010.

Recent reports in the Indianapolis Star had Keselowski going Cup racing with JR Motorsports next season, but Dale Earnhardt, Jr. downplayed those chances, saying there is "only a 10 percent chance" of JRM changing series in 2010, and then only if he drove the car himself to attract sponsors. Keselowski is expected to return for a full Nationwide slate with JRM in 2010.

Keselowski declined to comment specifically on any of the reports last weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, saying, "I have some preferences, but I haven't gotten very far with them.” He said he feels “pretty confident” that he will be a full-time Sprint Cup driver next season, adding, "it would have to be a big problem to come up for that not to happen.”

Terry Returns (Pending Sponsorship):Terry Labonte will team with Boris Said and Carter-Simo Racing beginning at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and for the remainder of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Labonte is set to wheel a #08 Toyota Camry in selected events for the team, with Said driving a #08 Ford in the remainder of the schedule. The team is searching for sponsorship.

#1 Chevy Too High: Martin Truex Jr.’s Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet failed a post-race inspection after a 16th place finish Saturday night at Chicagoland, when its right-rear quarterpanel was found to be too high. The car has been taken to NASCAR’s Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C., for further examination, with penalties (if any) likely to be announced on Tuesday or Wednesday of this week.

Mayfield: "It's Bulls--t, Man."

Jeremy Mayfield broke his long silence yesterday, speaking to ESPN.com’s Marty Smith and vowing to fight NASCAR every step of the way to regain his career and reputation.

Mayfield said, “Every time there's an action (by NASCAR), there's going to be a reaction from here on out. I try to be nice. I try to be respectful to them. I try to do everything right. But I'm not getting drug through the mud no more."

He said believes NASCAR is trying to make an example of him, challenging NASCAR CEO Brian France’s assertion that other drivers have failed substance abuse tests this season, but been cleared after conversations with their doctors. He also questioned France’s assertion that there is a list of substances banned by NASCAR, saying, “Now there's a list -- an exhaustive list. Right? Where's it at? It's bull----, man, and somebody needs to stand up and see through this."

He denied delaying a Monday drug test by more than seven hours, calling the events of that day “a wild goose chase," and claiming he was given just 18 minutes to report to a NASCAR-approved lab to provide a urine sample. "It was a wild-goose chase and I got pissed off about it," he said. "I was like, 'I'm not doing this for nobody.' Why would I? I wasn't running or hiding from anybody, because I don't have to.”

“I'm just tired of it,” he said. “Mentally. Personally. I go try to find a sponsor, (and) nobody will talk to you. Try to find a ride, nobody will talk to you. So then what do I do? I'm not going to sit here anymore and get slammed by (NASCAR)."

NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said Mayfield has nobody but himself to blame for his current situation, adding, "Whatever happened to personal responsibility? Jeremy Mayfield is the one who tested positive for methamphetamines. He's the one who violated the substance abuse policy, and he's the one that put the other competitors and fans at risk. The judge's order is quite clear: Mr. Mayfield will have to comply with whatever drug-testing requirements are imposed… on him, and continue to do so."

In a related story, Mayfield’s wife, Shana, said they are considering selling their race team after being unable to secure sponsorship. She said they do not have the cash to field a car themselves, and are "looking at all options,” including the sale of the team’s assets.

In an effort to increase the level of understanding of the process, Sirius Speedway has consulted with a number of medical professionals to determine what specific tests and procedures Mayfield is likely undergoing, and what they mean.

In cases like this, "witnessed samples" -- where the subject is observed urinating into the sample container -- are not unusual. In fact, they are the norm. While almost certainbly uncomfortable for the test subject, "witnessed samples" are not unusual in this type of case.

Acquisition of urine samples is not a sterile procedure, so it makes no difference where the sample is taken, so long as it is witnessed and all parties sign off on the sample as it is taken.

The experts say that NASCAR is now almost certainly conducting more comprehensive tests on Mayfield than their initial screening. In most cases, the preliminary drug screening tests only for three basic types of drugs. When a positive result is found, the next step is usually to administer a “Drugs of Abuse Screening” which searches for drug groups: amphetamines , cannaboids, cocaine, opiates, phenycylidine, ecstacy, LSD, club designer drugs, heroin, prescription drugs prescription drugs of abuse, anabolic steroids, etc. This test reveals specific drugs in the subject’s system -- and equally important – their levels of concentration.

NASCAR's chosen laboratory will almost certainly follow "chain of custody of evidence" with the urine sample obtained from Mayfield on Monday, documenting each step in the process and maintaining a chain of evidentiary possession to prove that his sample was not tampered with or contaminated in any way.

When Mayfield produced his latest sample, NASCAR (or its laboratory) almost certainly required him to provide complete, written documentation of any and all medications he is taking; complete with name, dosage and last time taken. Medications have what is called a "half-life" and medical professionals can look up any medication and determine -- according to its half-life -- the approximate duration of effect for that drug. When results are obtained from Mayfield's most recent screening -- likely in 3-4 days -- a toxicologist can review the concentration of each compound in his system and tell when it was ingested and how much was ingested.

Virtually every drug leaves a footprint in a person's system, revealing it’s specific chemical makeup. There are obviously variables in any test, but there are parameters and fail-safes built into the drug-screening process to deal with those variables. When there is a question surrounding the results of a specific test, the laboratory can simply obtain a new sample and re-test.

Mayfield Saga Now Bordering On Bizarre

Just when you think things can't get any more bizarre, the Jeremy Mayfield saga takes another turn toward the absurd.

NASCAR spokesmen said today that Mayfield submitted to a drug test Monday, but only after delaying that test for seven hours. NASCAR's Ramsey Poston accused Mayfield of intentionally attempting to avoid the test, but Mayfield’s attorney, John Buric, said the delay resulted from confusion over the location of the testing laboratory.

Poston said Mayfield was contacted at 1:18 p.m. Monday and told to report to a specific laboratory to provide a sample; procedures outlined in NASCAR’s drug testing policy.

That call triggered a veritable Keystone Kops series of events that strains the bounds of believability, no matter whose version you prefer.

Attorney Buric said NASCAR’s initial phone call went to Mayfield’s voice mail and was not received for more than an hour. Unable to reach NASCAR’s approved laboratory within the specified two-hour time frame, Buric says Mayfield was told to report to a closer lab, but was unable to find it. After being unable to contact personnel at the second lab to get directions, Buric says he directed his client to go to his own laboratory to provide a urine sample.

NASCAR subsequently sent lab technicians and a security official to Mayfield’s home, and were able to obtain their own sample after an additional one-hour delay; at approximately 8:20 p.m.

Buric blamed the additional delay on NASCAR’s insistence that Mayfield be observed while providing the sample to ensure it was his; a requirement Buric called, “outrageous and…intentional.” He accused the sanctioning body of “mak(ing) the rules up as (they) go along” and of intentionally harassing his client.

NASCAR’s Poston called it, “an attempt to delay and avoid doing a test within the prescribed time,” saying the sample was obtained only after “an extraordinary amount of delay and avoidance on (Mayfield’s) part.”

Finally, Buric confirmed that Mayfield will not attempt to qualify for Saturday night’s race at Chicagoland Speedway, saying his client lacks sponsorship for his own #41 Toyota, and has been unable to find a ride with another team. He accused NASCAR, sponsors and teams of treating Mayfield “like a pariah.”

And the beat goes on...

Norris Rips EGR's Stability

Michael Waltrip Racing General Manager Ty Norris offered up some scathing commentary on his former team yesterday.

Asked about Martin Truex, Jr.'s recently announced jump from Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing to MWR, Norris said, “Martin’s loyalty has kept him where he currently sits for a couple of years too long. That is an organization that has been in flux every year that he has been driving for them. In 2007… the whole season was about Dale Jr. leaving. In 2008, it was about the merger with Ginn. And this year, it was the merger with Ganassi.

They’ve moved three times, and… I don’t think the stability to be able to compete against the Hendricks and the Roushes and the Gibbses has been there.”

For his part, Truex said uncertainty over the future of Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing played a major role in his decision to jump to Michael Waltrip Motorports in 2010. “For me, there was a lot less in question (at MWR)," said Truex. "They were able to answer more questions. It was easier to see where they were heading, (and) the picture was just a lot more clear.”

Despite numerous reports to the contrary, Truex said he remains committed to Earnhardt-Ganassi through the end of the season, a fact that DEI General Manager Jeff Steiner confirmed in an exclusive interview with Sirius Speedway yesterday. There are reports that Truex’s longtime crewchief, Kevin “Bono” Manion, will join his driver at MWR next season, but Steiner said he expects Manion to remain in his current position.

No Hard Feelings: Tony Stewart says he spoke to Kyle Busch yesterday, and that there are no hard feelings following their last-lap crash in the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona. He said the two agreed that the crash was nothing more than a racing incident, and will move on to Chicagoland Speedway Saturday night with a clean slate.

More Races For Smith: Furniture Row Racing Team Manager Joe Garoni says the team hopes to add races to its 2009 schedule soon. "We're looking at adding some more races as we move forward," said Garone, "and we're working hard to get sponsors to run a full season next year.” Driver Regan Smith was originally scheduled to run just 12 races this season, but the 2008 Raybestos Rookie of the year told Sirius Speedway Monday that the team has already decided to add the August 22 race at Bristol Motor Speedway to their schedule.