BREAKING NEWS: Another New Partner At Richard Petty Motorsports?

A sports management firm owned by a Saudi Arabian Prince has signed a memorandum of understanding with Richard Petty Motorsports co-owner George Gillett that will lead to a commercial partnership involving both the Liverpool Football Club and Richard Petty Motorsports.

Gillett and his Liverpool Football Club co-owner, Tom Hicks, confirmed recently that they had begun looking for outside investors, but told the BBC as recently as this week that the search was “at an early stage," and that there was “no agreement with any party." Those statements came just a day after Prince Faisal bin Fahad bin Abdullah Al Saud told reporters that he was negotiating to purchase half of the club for between 200 and 350 million British pounds. Gillett and Hicks purchased he team for 174 million pounds 2007.

Gillett recently announced plans to sell the Montreal Canadiens hockey club and their home arena, Montreal’s Molson Centre.

While it is not currently known how (or if) the deal will impact the day-to-day operations of Richard Petty Motorsports, the NASCAR Examiner website reports that today’s agreement is the first step in Gillett selling his stake in the team to Prince Faisal. The report states that the “due diligence” process is already underway, and could result in Gillett being entirely bought-out by the end of the 2009 calendar year. A press release announcing the partnership mentions no such sale; only the possibility of developing NASCAR-style racing circuit and Richard Petty racing schools in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Middle East.

Richard Petty Motorsports recently announced plans to merge with Yates Racing in time for the 2010 season, and the team declined to have a representative speak with Sirius Speedway today about this latest deal.

COMMENTARY: A Word Of Praise For DEI-Ganassi Racing

While most of the championship attention continues to focus on Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin, Juan Pablo Montoya and DEI-Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates have inserted themselves solidly into the title debate, authoring a Cinderella story that few could have predicted even a few short months ago.

Coming into the 2009 season opener at Daytona, DEI-Ganassi was fresh off a corporate merger that many observers characterized as a reshuffling of deck chairs on the Titanic. Chip Ganassi is a perennial title contender in the IRL IndyCar ranks, but his sole bid for the Sprint Cup title came more than a decade ago with Sterling Marlin at the wheel. DEI, meanwhile, was best known as the team that let Dale Earnhardt, Jr., get away; a move that prompted former series champion Tony Stewart to predict that the team would be “a museum” within 24 months. For his part, Montoya was coming off a 2008 season highlighted by an unremarkable 25th-place finish in points, inciting debate over whether the former open wheel star would ever fully adapt to stock car competition, and whether there was any future at all for DEI-Ganassi.

The nay-sayers could not have been more wrong.

After a halting start that saw them finish 14th, 11th, 31st and 27th in the first four races of the season, Montoya’s Target Chevrolet team slowly began to right the ship. By the time NASCAR rolled into Charlotte for its annual midseason All-Star festivities, the former Indianapolis 500 champion had climbed all the way to 14th in points and begun to be included on the list of possible Chase contenders.

In the last 15 races – dating back to Pocono in June – Montoya went from “possible Chase contender” to “legitimate championship aspirant,” ripping off 10 Top-10 finishes with only one result outside the Top-20. His average finish in that span is 9.5; enough to place him third in points heading to Round Three of the Chase this weekend at Kansas Speedway.

Montoya faced criticism in some circles for “points racing” during the final few races of the regular season; eschewing his usual aggressive style in favor of a big-picture-friendly approach that stressed Top-10 finishes over wins.

Now, however, the reins have clearly come off.

Asked if he would continue preaching patience and consistency yesterday at Dover, crewchief Brian Pattie snapped, “We stopped points racing three races ago. We’re here to win.” Montoya sang a similar tune, saying, “We accomplished our goal when we made the Chase. Everything from now on is a bonus, and we’re going for it.”

This has already been a coming-of-age season for both Montoya and his team. There is still work to be done at DEI-Ganassi Racing, but JPM's unexpected title bid has given them a solid foundation to build upon.

Martin Truex, Jr., will still jump ship at season’s end for a new ride at Michael Waltrip Racing, leaving the team’s #1 Chevrolet vacant. Jamie McMurray is rumored to be waiting in the wings to fill that seat, but the deal (like most others these days) is contingent on the acquisition of a sponsor.

Young Jeffrey Earnhardt -- grandson of the late Dale Earnhardt and nephew of Dale, Jr. -– is being touted for a full season of Sprint Cup competition as soon as 2011, but is currently an unproven commodity whose resume is highlighted only by a partial season of Camping World Series East racing two years ago.

But the future is just that, the future.

For now, DEI-Ganassi Racing can take pride in proving the doubters wrong. They have not only survived, they have thrived; arguably outperforming more traditional NASCAR juggernauts like Richard Childress and Roush-Fenway Racing.

That’s something to be celebrated, and it’s not over yet.

Ricky Bobby Joins The Geek Squad

With those horrible white shades, the logo on the firesuit says it all!

Sources: Allmendinger Could Drive RPM Ford At Talladega

Richard Petty Motorsports’ Executive Director of Race Operations Robbie Loomis says the team could field a Ford Fusion before the end of the 2009 season.

Loomis told FoxSports.com’s Lee Spencer, “I don't want to talk about things that are pure speculation, but I don't think it would surprise anybody if we did.” A spokesperson for RPM told Sirius Speedway today that there are no plans to field a Ford before 2010, but off the record, sources inside RPM say that the team has already built at least one Ford Fusion, installing a Ford powerplant in an existing RPM chassis.


Initial plans were to have AJ Allmendinger debut the car at Kansas Speedway next week, but that timetable was pushed back when Roush-Fenway Racing's Jack Roush expressed reservations about the quick ramp-up. Now, tentative plans call for Allmendinger to drive a Richard Petty Motorsports Ford at Talladega Superspeedway on November 1, with additional outings possible -– though not certain –- at Texas, Phoenix and Homestead-Miami Speedways.

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

Loomis also confirmed today that Reed Sorenson is not the first RPM driver to race for free, saying that Allmendinger also waived his paycheck for a time, in order to remain on the racetrack.

"AJ and all the employees at Richard Petty Motorsports made sacrifices in order to continue being a four-car team," he said. "When those guys stepped up, it really said a lot to me about the character of Reed Sorenson, AJ Allmendinger and everybody at Richard Petty Motorsports.”

BUSTED: Newman Abuses The Godfather

In addition to visiting our wounded military men and women at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, DC, Ryan "Rotten Egg" Newman took a few minutes off to bust the Godfather's stones in a Thursday phone interview. Thanks, Newman!

Johnson: NASCAR Erred In Withholding Loudon Yellow

Jimmie Johnson criticized NASCAR’s decision to delay throwing the caution flag when AJ Allmendinger spun on the final lap of Sunday’s Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The yellow flag did not fly until the leaders were between Turns 3 and 4, and Johnson said yesterday that an unsafe situation resulted. “It should have been called a little bit earlier," he said. "On the last lap, when you take into consideration how fired up everybody is to get back to the start-finish line…that bit of hesitation in all the drivers' minds leads to an unsafe situation."

NASCAR officials say they delayed the call hoping that Allmendinger would be able to refire his car and allow the race to end under the green flag.

No Appeal For JGR: Joe Gibbs Racing has responded to the penalties levied aganst them by NASCAR after the left-front corner of Kyle Busch’s car was found to be too low in post-race inspection Sunday.

A JGR press release said the infraction stemmed from a dislodged left front spring that required the team to make major adjustments to the car's suspension during the race. The team said it accepts the penalty, and will not appeal.

Testing Restraints Loosened: NASCAR has announced its 2010 testing policy for the Sprint Cup, Nationwide, Camping World Truck and Camping World East and West Series; once again prohibiting testing at tracks that host any of those series.

However, testing will be allowed next season at NASCAR-sanctioned tracks that host regional touring races, but not national series events. Based on this year's schedules, testing would no be allowed at Greenville-Pickens, Tri-County, South Boston, Thompson, Music City, Adirondack, Lime Rock, Thunder Hill, All American, Madera, Douglas County, Toyota/Irwindale, Portland, Miller Motorsports and Colorado National Speedways.

RPM Changes Engines: In the aftermath of a broken crankshaft in last Sunday’s race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Richard Petty Motorsports will use the R5 Dodge engine under the hood of Kasey Kahne’s Budwesier Dodge this weekend, rather than the newer R6 powerplant.

Kahne has been using the R6 for a number of weeks, but periodic issues with crankshafts have prompted them to resort to the older engine. RPM’s trackside engine supervisor, Bill Pink, said new, stronger crankshafts will be ready for next weekend’s race at Kansas Speedway.

Kahne was sidelined just 66 laps into Sunday’s race, finishing 38th. He now sits 12th in the championship standings, 161 points behind leader Mark Martin.

Commentary: Random Thoughts As We Begin The Chase

Richard Petty Motorsports is a team in turmoil.

Kasey Kahne admitted this week that he has no idea who is running the show there these days; a viewpoint that is shared by just about everyone inside the walls at RPM. Managing Director of Competition Mark McArdle is gone; fired last week after a heated verbal confrontation with team owner George Gillett. Employees of the team’s engine shop are jumping ship like fleas off a wet dog, anticipating layoffs that will soon add more than 60 names to the unemployment dole.

Was it bad karma when Kahne exited Sunday’s race with a blown engine after just 66 laps? Or something more ominous?

***

Carl Edwards’ broken right foot hurts much less than the performance of his Roush-Fenway Racing Fords these days. Jack Roush’s teams -– all five of them -- have lost a few mph off their fastball this season, and not even a savvy crewchief like Bob Osborne can manufacture enough Top-5 finishes to make Edwards a championship contender.

***

Crewchief Pat Tryson is leaving Penske Racing at the end of the season to take a position with Michael Waltrip Racing. As a result, he is no longer welcome in the Penske shop, or at the team’s weekday strategy meetings.

That’s no way to win a championship.

Tryson’s driver-for-now, Kurt Busch, had a strong start to the Chase in New Hampshire Sunday, but he’ll be hard-pressed to maintain that momentum. A house divided cannot stand.

***

Tryson went out of his way Saturday to tell reporters that his departure from the team is not the result of a poor relationship with Busch. That came as a surprise to those familiar with the pair's raceday radio communication; conversations that are often (how do we say this politely?) a bit strident.

***

Juan Pablo Montoya is 0-for-26 this season, and it’s going to take at least two Chase victories (probably three) for anyone to claim the title. Unless DEI-Ganassi rediscovers the way to Victory Lane, Montoya and company will not mount a serious challenge for the championship.

***

Jimmie Johnson says his team is stronger today than it’s ever been. If he’s right, I’m missing something.

The three-time and defending Sprint Cup Series champion seldom gets the credit he deserves, but he and the Lowe’s Chevrolet team do not appear to be the dominant force they were a year ago. Coming into the weekend, Jimmie’s average finish over the previous six races was a downright pedestrian 18.8; a far cry from the fifth-place average he posted in the 2008 Chase. He hasn’t won since Indianapolis Motor Speedway in late July, and to me, it looks like the genie has finally slipped out of Chad Knaus’ bottle, at least temporarily.

***

Tony Stewart’s bid to become the first championship owner/driver since Alan Kulwicki in 1992 has been nothing short of inspirational. But he’s still got a lot of work to do.

The flow of information and technology from Hendrick Motorsports will almost certainly ebb as we approach the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and while Stewart is second-to-none as a driver, he may find it impossible to beat Rick Hendrick with his own stick.

***

Sources within Hendrick Motorsports tell me that a combination of chiropractic therapy and stretching exercises has four-time Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon feeling better than he has in months. If his ailing lower back allows it -– and I’m thinking it might -– Wonder Boy will make a concerted run for title number five.

In the end, though, I see Gordon coming up just a few points short of 50-year young Mark Martin in the battle for the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup. No team is more focused on the job at hand than Alan Gustafson and the #5 Kelloggs/Carquest Chevrolet bunch. They’ll get the best equipment and information Hendrick Motorsports has to offer, and Martin has the ability to offset a mediocre finish or two with multiple Chase victories.

Other teams have been hotter at times, and others have been more consistent. But Martin looks like a man of destiny, and I’m predicting that 2009 will finally be his year.

Red Bull Stays With Toyota

Red Bull Racing will remain a Toyota team in 2010 and beyond, after announcing a renewed manufacturer alliance for its two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams.

Red Bull had negotiated with Chevrolet, before team management elected to remain in the Toyota camp. Team General Manager Jay Frye said Toyota has been a critical element of Red Bull's success, and that he is looking forward to continuing the relationship.

In other manufacturer news, published reports today say that Rusty Wallace Inc., will convert its two-car NASCAR Nationwide Series team from Chevrolet to Ford next season. Sources close to the team say the move results from Chevy’s recent reduction in financial support to the series, and that the team’s current inventory of cars – driven by Steven Wallace and Brendan Gaughan – are currently for sale. RWI jumped to Chevrolet from the Dodge camp in 2008.

From The "We Told You So" File: ESPN.com reported today what Sirius Speedway first told you Monday, that Richard Petty Motorsports has fired Vice President and Managing Director of Competition Mark McArdle in the aftermath of last Friday’s verbal confrontation with team co-owner George Gillett, Jr.

McArdle was suspended immediately following the incident, and was given his outright release Monday. Officials of Richard Petty Motorsports have not commented on McArdle’s dismissal this week, but Petty himself said Saturday that he believed McArdle had already been fired.

ESPN.com’s David Newton reports that a recorded message on McArdle's cell phone said that it has now been repossessed by the team.

No Double-Dip For Seuss: NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour star Andy Seuss will not attempt to do double duty at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and North Carolina’s Caraway Speedway Saturday, after all.

The opportunity to run the ironman doubleheader arose after a Southern Modified Tour event at Caraway rained out earlier this season and was rescheduled for Saturday; the same day as the Northern Tour is set to compete at NHMS.

Seuss initially considered attempting both events, but travel concerns have prompted him to turn the wheel in his #70 modified over to Camping World East Series driver Eddie MacDonald, in order to concentrate on the Caraway event. Seuss and MacDonald are longtime friends who began their racing careers at the Lee USA Speedway in New Hampshire, a track owned by MacDonald's family. MacDonald has only one career Modified start, but won both Camping World East Series races at New Hampshire last season. He will now do triple-duty in the Granite State, running tomorrow’s Camping World East race, in addition to Saturday’s Modified and American-Canadian Tour Late Model races.

In other Modified news, Kasey Kahne has withdrawn from Saturday's race at New Hampshire to concentrate on his Sprint Cup effort. He was scheduled to drive the same H&H Motorsports car he ran last month at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Sources: RPM's McArdle Out After "Shouting Match" With Gillett

Richard Petty Motorsports Vice President Mark McArdle has reportedly been fired after what sources called a “heating shouting match” with team owner George Gillett at Richmond International Raceway Friday.

Team spokesmen will confirm only that that McArdle has been suspended through this weekend's race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, but sources tell Sirius Speedway that he has already been fired. Gillett said this weekend that McArdle’s termination was "the subject of discussion," while co-owner Richard Petty said McArdle has, in fact, been terminated.

McArdle also serves as RPM’s Managing Director of Competition -- overseeing the team’s engine and chassis departments -– and his dispute with Gillett reportedly centered on the future of RPM’s engine shop. Gillett reportedly met with employees less than 30 days ago, assuring them that their jobs were secure and that there were no plans to close the engine facility. Late last week, those same employees learned that RPM’s engine department will be shut down and most of their jobs eliminated, once the team begins utilizing powerplants from the Roush-Yates engine alliance in 2010.

Petty spoke candidly about the planned RPM/Yates merger this weekend, saying the deal should be finalized within the next 2-4 weeks. While the agreement has officially been termed a merger, Petty said it is actually a case of RPM absorbing Yates Racing. He revealed that the entire operation will move to the current Yates Racing shops in Concord, NC, with Robbie Loomis heading the day-to-day operations.

Petty said the decision to move to the Ford camp next season came down to Dodge’s inability to make concrete financial commitments beyond the end of the 2009 campaign. Ford Motor Company has already committed to a financial support package for two Yates Racing entries in 2010 and beyond, and Petty said he hopes that deal can expand to include the entire, four-car operation once the economy rebounds.

While no decision has been made on which RPM driver will steer the legendary #43 car next year, Petty said he hopes to convince team sponsors to put AJ Allmendinger in the seat.

In a related story, Roush Fenway Racing President Geoff Smith said this weekend that he is scrambling to find a new home for the No. 26 Ford now driven by Jamie McMurray. Prior to the RPM/Yates merger, negotiations were underway to move the team to Yates Racing next season. But with that team now at NASCAR’s four-car limit for 2010, other arrangements will have to be made.

The #26 car also lacks sponsorship for next season, and with the future of the team in doubt, McMurray has reportedly ramped-up his talks with Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing to replace Martin Truex, Jr., in that team’s #1 Chevrolet next season. Bobby Labonte is also said to be a candidate for that ride.

Mayfield: NASCAR Made Me A Scapegoat To Scare Other Drivers

Jeremy Mayfield told ESPN's "Outside The Lines" yesterday that NASCAR is using him to scare his fellow drivers straight.

Mayfield said his May 9 suspension for violating the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy was an attempt by NASCAR to “get the message back to other drivers in the sport, (and) to put the fear of God into them.” He said his suspension “killed two or three birds with one stone, and put the fear of God in other people and other drivers who have tested positive that they didn't put in this situation."

"This was sending a message to them, saying, 'You better straighten your act up,' without putting them through what they put me through.”

Mayfield’s lawsuit against NASCAR is scheduled to go before a jury next September, and NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said of Mayfield’s latest comments, "The facts are clear and now recognized by the court, that Jeremy tested positive twice for methamphetamines. He was offered the chance to undergo the road to recovery but chose to go the legal route."

As Promised, Suzy Q's Steamy Poolside Cheesecake Photo!

Danica Prepping For 2010 Nationwide/Truck/ARCA Slate

Published reports say that that Danica Patrick will race in NASCAR’s Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series next season, as part of a deal with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point leader Tony Stewart.

ESPN.com quotes unnamed sources saying Patrick will run "a significant number" of Nationwide races in 2010, in addition to a full-season of IndyCar racing with Andretti-Green Racing. In addition, Patrick will see seat time in both the Camping World Trucks and ARCA, possibily beginning with an ARCA start at Speedweeks 2010 in Daytona.

Stewart-Haas does not currently compete in Nationwide or Trucks, meaning that a third partner will almost certainly be needed to consumate the deal. While Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s JR Motorsports has been mentioned as a possible candidate, Sirius Speedway has learned the Kevin Harvick Inc. is likely to provide the machnery for Patrick's stock car effort.

Stewart has not commented specifically on any plans he might have with Patrick, but said, “I know that she's serious about (NASCAR). I know that's what she wants to do. I don't think she has some misguided idea that it's going to be easy to do it. She wants to do it the right way. She has the intentions of doing everything right and she's…come to us to see our opinion about how she should go about it."

Stewart also confirmed that there will be no third Stewart-Haas Sprint Cup team next season, explaining that sponsor and driver negotiations did not progress quickly enough for the team to consider adding a third Chevrolet for 2010.

Chevy Committed To NASCAR: Chevrolet’s Brent Dewar said Saturday that the automaker is in NASCAR to stay. Dewar was at Atlanta Motor Speedway to assure Chevy teams that factory support will continue at its current level through at least 2010, and that the total number of drivers and teams will not be reduced. In addition, he said he hopes to be able to increase support in time for the 2011 season.

"We've been in it from the beginning, and we're in it for the long haul," he said, adding that the concept of "race on Sunday, sell on Monday" still applies and that GM continues to see a positive return on its investment in the sport.

Eury Happy At HMS: Tony Eury Jr. said Saturday that he will remain with Hendrick Motorsports in 2010, despite a recent visit to Richard Childress Racing, and a Charlotte Observer report that he could join Brad Keselowski at Penske Racing.

Eury is in the second year of a five-year deal with Hendrick, and downplayed the visit to RCR, saying, "Who said I wasn't up there just to tour the museum?"

More Trouble For Mayfield: Jeremy Mayfield’s problems continue to multiply. Mayfield is now being sued by Arrington Manufacturing for a $71,000 unpaid engine bill stemming from races he took part in earlier this season.

A complaint filed last week in North Carolina Superior Court alleges that Arrington provided engines to Mayfield Motorsports at Phoenix, Talladega, Richmond, Darlington, and Charlotte, in addition to the Sprint Showdown on All-Star Weekend.

Compensation was based on how many miles were run in each event, and while Mayfield paid for the Phoenix and Talladega races, Arrington alleges that he has not paid for the other four events. The company seeks the $71,000 it says it is owed, plus attorneys' fees. Mayfield is also being sued by Triad Racing Technologies for more than $86,000 in unpaid bills, and faces a defamation of character suit filed by his former stepmother, Lisa Mayfield.

Labonte Back In The Game; Signs For Seven Races With TRG

Former Sprint Cup Series champions don’t usually sit on the sidelines for long.

Just days after Bobby Labonte had his schedule with Yates Racing trimmed by seven races in favor of youngster Erik Darnell, the 2000 series champ has inked a deal to drive the TRG Motorsports #71 TaxSlayer Chevrolet in those seven events.

Labonte will be in the car this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, keeping his lengthy consecutive-race streak intact. David Gilliland will drive the #71 car in the races Labonte does not run. TRG owner Kevin Buckler said recently that he would like to expand his operation to two cars next season, and with the Labonte/Hall Of Fame Racing/Ask.com tandem unlikely to renew its deal with Yates Racing for another year, the possibility exists for TRG to step in and fill the void.

The move puts Labonte on the list of Past Champion’s Provisional-eligible drivers for this weekend’s race, along with older brother Terry (the 1996 and 1984 champion) and Bill Elliott, who wore the crown in 1988.

JRM In Driver Search: JR Motorsports spokesman Mike Davis says several drivers are being considered for the team’s two NASCAR Nationwide Series teams in 2010.

With Brad Keselowski moving to Penske Racing next season, the seat in the #88 Chevrolet will be vacant. And while Kelly Bires is widely reported to be the leading candidate for that ride, Davis declined to comment on specifics of the search. He did say that Jr Motorsports would like to run both the #88 and #5 teams will full-time in 2010, pending sponsorship. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will drive the #5 in several events.

Kahne Suit Dismissed: The lawsuit filed by a Homestead-Miami Speedway security guard against driver Kasey Kahne has been dismissed.

Security guard Archibald Hutchinson alleged that Kahne shoved him to the ground during the final weekend of the 2007 season at Homestead, leaving him with injuries that prevented him from working. Kahne maintained his innocence from the outset, and a misdemeanor battery charge was dismissed back in June.

Miami-Dade County court records show that Hutchinson’s civil suit against both Kahne and NASCAR was dismissed on August 24.

Youth Movement Continues: NASCAR is lowering its minimum age requirement for competition at NASCAR Whelen All-American Series tracks, beginning next season.

The sanctioning body announced that it will introduce a "Learner's Permit License" for drivers as young as 14, dropping the minimum age from the current 16 years of age. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series awards national championship points at more than 55 short tracks across North America, with over 10,000 drivers taking part each year.

Keselowski To Penske Racing #12 Dodge

Penske Racing made it official earlier today, announcing that Brad Keselowski will drive the #12 Penske Dodge full-time in 2010, replacing David Stremme. Keselowski will also run for the championship in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for Penske.

Team owner Roger Penske made the announcement this morning, saying, "We are very excited to welcome Brad to the Penske Racing family. Brad has shown terrific success on track the past several years, and has quickly established himself as one of the top young stars in racing. He comes from an impressive family background in motorsports. He is a proven winner and a welcome addition to our team."

Keselowski claimed his first career Sprint Cup win at Talladega Superspeedway in April, driving for Phoenix Racing. He has three top-10 finishes in eight Cup starts this season, and those eight races make him ineligible for Raybestos Rookie of the Year consideration in 2010. He ranks third in Nationwide Series championship points with three wins. His most recent victory came at his home track, Michigan International Speedway, earlier this month.

"Penske Racing is one of the top teams in all of motorsports and I am honored to join Roger Penske's organization and compete for wins with his Cup and Nationwide Series teams," said Keselowski today. "This is a great opportunity for me to continue competing in the Nationwide Series and to run my first full season in the Cup Series with a strong and experienced team."

There is no word on Stremme's plans for 2010, and no announcement on how Keselowski’s 2010 Nationwide plans will effect Penske’s current driver in that series, Justin Allgaier. Keselowski will join us today at 3:15 to discuss his new deal in an exclusive Sirius NASCAR Radio interview.

Labonte Unhappy With Yates Ouster: Bobby Labonte’s streak of 568 consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will end this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, when the seat of the Yates Racing #96 Ford will be filled by newcomer Erik Darnell.

Yates Racing co-owner Max Jones announced the move yesterday, saying that Darnell will run the car in seven of this year’s final 12 races due to a lack of sponsorship for Labonte.

The former Sprint Cup Series champion’s consecutive race streak began in February of 1993 at Daytona International Speedway, at the wheel of Bill Davis Racing’s #22 Maxwell House Ford. Labonte ranks second only to Jeff Gordon, who has now started 569 consecutive races.

The decision to substitute Darnell for Labonte was a no-brainer in these difficult economic times. Labonte’s deal came together in late December – literally the eleventh hour -- when Hall Of Fame Racing determined that its Ask.com and DLP HDTV sponsorships were not enough to finance a full season of competition. HOF found itself with sponsors and no racecars, while Yates Racing had racecars, and no sponsorship.

It was a match made in heaven, as far as it went.

Unfortunately, the team’s performance was not good enough to attract sponsors for the remainder of the schedule. The 45-year old Labonte managed just one top-10 finish this season, and Yates Racing was unable to secure backing for seven unsold races at the end of the season. When the opportunity to put a fully funded driver in the car presented itself, Labonte’s fate was sealed.

Jones admitted that Labonte took the news of his ouster badly, adding, “I wouldn’t have (been happy) either, if I was him. I had to explain my side, and why I was doing it. He wasn’t happy about it, but he understood and I respect that. He’s a class act, he’s a professional.”

New Backer For Baldwin: Wave Energy Drink will sponsor Tommy Baldwin Racing's #36 Toyota and driver Patrick Carpentier in six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races this season. Wave Energy Drink will grace the team’s quarterpanels at Atlanta, Richmond, New Hampshire, Dover, Kansas and Auto Club Speedways.

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)