Gordon Tops Best Seller List

Lionel NASCAR Collectables announced their Top-10 Best Selling NASCAR diecast collectable cars for 2011 today, and perhaps surprisingly, NASCAR's Most Popular Driver was not at the top of the list. In fact, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s No. 88 Amp Energy/National Guard Chevrolet was only the number-four selling diecast for the season just completed.

Jeff Gordon's new No. 24 AARP/Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet topped the list of best sellers for 2011, followed by Kevin Harvick's No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet. Trevor Bayne's Daytona 500-winning No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford was third, followed by Earnhardt's Chevrolet. Members of Earnhardt Nation can take heart, however, as their driver accounted for no less than three of the Top-10 sellers.

The complete Top-10 list included:

1. Jeff Gordon No. 24 AARP/Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet

2. Kevin Harvick No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet

3. Trevor Bayne No. 21 Motorcraft Daytona Win Ford

4. Dale Earnhardt Jr. No. 88 Amp Energy Chevrolet

5. Tony Stewart No. 14 Mobil 1 Chevrolet

6. Dale Earnhardt No. 96 Cardinal Tractor Ford

7. Dale Earnhardt Jr. No. 88 National Guard Heritage Chevrolet

8. Tony Stewart No. 14 Office Depot Chevrolet

9. Dale Earnhardt Jr. No. 88 Dale Jr. Foundation/Vh1 Save the Music Chevrolet

10. Kevin Harvick No. 29 Budweiser Military Tribute Chevrolet

Armour Backs RCR In Nationwide, Trucks

Pinnacle Foods Group and Richard Childress Racing have reached a partnership agreement for sponsorship of two of RCR's teams for 2012. Pinnacle's Armour brand will serve as the primary sponsor for three races on the team's #33 NASCAR Nationwide Series Chevrolet with Kevin Harvick at the wheel; March 18 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway; May 6 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway; and September 8 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.

Armour canned meats will also appear as an associate sponsor of Childress' #33 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and on one of RCR's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams. The specific team and races will be announced at a later date.

Martinsville President Climbs Pole For Charity

Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell could have made an early descent from atop the track's entrance sign Friday afternoon, but he knew the longer he stayed, the more money he raised to help needy children in the Martinsville and Henry County area.

Campbell had vowed to stay perched 38 feet in the air until he raised $20,000 for the Martinsville Speedway Children’s Foundation. That total was hit by mid-afternoon, but Campbell made the decision to stay put as temperatures dropped later in the afternoon.

By the time he descended at 4 p.m. contributions had topped $25,000.

“It wasn’t nearly as cold as it was last year, so I figured I would stick it out up there as long as I could and help as many children as we can,” said Campbell. “It always amazes me how generous the folks of Martinsville and Henry County and our friends in our racing family are. In today’s economy, to be able to raise this much money in a single day is incredible.”

The temperature hovered just below freezing when Campbell was hoisted to his perch. The temperature rose only into the high 40s during midday, then dropped as the afternoon wore on. The only time he descended during the eight-hour stretch was for a couple of TV and radio interviews.

The Christmas spirit revs up at Martinsville Speedway Saturday with the 15th Annual Martinsville Speedway Toy Drive to help needy youngsters in the Martinsville and Henry County area have a good Christmas. During the Toy Drive, fans will drive their personal vehicles around Martinsville’s famous half-mile oval for a donation of a toy or a $10 cash contribution. Volunteers from the Grace Network will be at the pit gate to collect donations.

For fans wanting to make a little quicker trip around the track, Campbell will give five hot laps in one of Martinsville Speedway’s pace cars for a $25 donation. Participants will receive a certificate of completion from Campbell. Fans will also be able to walk into the infield via the pedestrian tunnel and drop off toys and monetary donations at a table set up close to the infield concession stand.

Martinsville Speedway staff members will be making and selling the Famous Martinsville Speedway Hot Dog and Pepsi products for $1 each, with proceeds going to the Grace Network. The Grace Network, a local group comprised of almost 100 churches, will distribute the collected toys to families in need. The monetary donations from Saturday will be used to purchase additional toys. All of the toys will remain in the Martinsville and Henry County area.

Santa Claus will be making his annual appearance at the track from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Vote Smoke Onto The SI Cover

For nearly 60 years the cover of Sports Illustrated has defined the story of the day in sports. The magazine's iconic cover always stirs passionate dialog, debate, celebration and criticism; and for those who believe in jinxes, fear. But there has always been one constant. The choice of who appears on the sover of SI has always rested in the hands of the magazine's editorial team.

Today, that all changes.

Beginning at 3:00 p.m. EST, sports fans can visit SI’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/sportsillustrated) to rank the top five sports moments from 2011 drawn from a selection of 15 images which correspond to the editorial staff’s selections for the best sports moments of 2011. The image receiving the most votes as of December 16, will appear on the cover of the year-end double issue.

“Sports Illustrated has always been an advocate and voice for sports fans,” said Terry McDonell Time Inc. Sports Group Editor. “This is an extension of that mission, letting fans in on one of the most important and discussed decisions of the year.”

Tony Stewart's dramatic -- and championship clinching -- victory in the season-ending Ford 400 at Homestead Miami Speedway is among the 15 nominees, as is Abby Wambach’s goal in the 122nd minute of the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals; Derek Jeter’s dramatic home run for his 3,000th hit; paralyzed former Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand leading his Scarlet Knights on the field against West Virginia, and David Freese's dramatic Game Six World Series home run for the St. Louis Cardinals.

The complete list of SI's Top-15 moments includes:

Pack on Top— February 6: Aaron Rodgers throws three TDs to lead Green Bay to a 31-25 victory over Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLV

Griffin’s Dunk— February 19: In the 2011 NBA slam dunk contest, the Clippers’ Blake Griffin soars over a Kia sedan to jam home the title

UConn Survives— March 10: Kemba Walker hits a buzzer-beater to defeat Pitt 76-74 in the Big East quarters; the Huskies roll to the NCAA title

Messi and Barça Reign—May 28: Lionel Messi and Barcelona overwhelm Manchester United 3-1 to win the Champions League title and stake a claim as the greatest team ever

Mavs Win— June 12: Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks beat LeBron James and the star-studded Heat in Game 6 of the NBA finals for Dallas’s first title

Bruins Hoist the Cup— June 15: Behind a historic performance from goalie Tim Thomas, the Bruins defeat Vancouver to win their first Stanley Cup since 1972

McIlroy Majestic— June 19: After his epic Masters meltdown, Rory McIlroy bounces back to win the U.S. Open in historic fashion

Jeter’s 3,000th— July 9: On a home run at a packed Yankee Stadium, Derek Jeter becomes the first Yankee to reach 3,000 hits

U.S. Women Stun Brazil— July 10: Abby Wambach scores a 122nd-minute equalizer against Brazil in the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals, and the US wins on penalties

Djoker’s Wild— September 10: Novak Djokovic fights off two match points to defeat Roger Federer in five sets in the U.S. Open semis on the way to the title

Michigan State’s Hail Mary— October 22: After unbeaten Wisconsin had staged a wild fourth-quarter rally, Michigan State stuns the Badgers on a last-second Hail Mary to win 37–31

Cardinals Magic— October 27: David Freese’s World Series Game 6 heroics—a ninth-inning, two-out triple and an 11th-inning walkoff homer—save the Cardinals

Eric LeGrand Returns— October 29: A year after his devastating injury, paralyzed former Rutgers player Eric LeGrand leads the Scarlet Knights onto the field against West Virginia

Slater Soars— November 6: Kelly Slater advances at the Rip Curl Pro Search in San Francisco, securing his record 11th world surfing title

Stewart Triumphs— November 20: Tony Stewart outraces Carl Edwards on the final day to win the Sprint Cup, capping NASCAR’s greatest title chase ever

Grubb Confirmed As New Crew Chief At JGR

Joe Gibbs Racing confirmed today that Darian Grubb will serve as crew chief for the #11 FedEx Toyota and driver Denny Hamlin on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

"Darian is a great addition to our organization and the person to lead our #11 FedEx team," said team owner Joe Gibbs. "Obviously he has proven the ability to guide a team to a championship and we are excited to have him working with Denny toward achieving that goal here at Joe Gibbs Racing."

Grubb is coming off a 2011 season with driver Tony Stewart at Stewart-Haas Racing which included winning five of the 10 Chase races en route to the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. He spent the past three seasons as crew chief for the No. 14 car after Stewart left JGR to start his own race operation. Prior to joining Stewart-Haas Racing, Grubb spent six years with Hendrick Motorsports; rising through the organization's engineering ranks and gaining invaluable crew chief experience.

"I'm thrilled to join Joe Gibbs Racing," said Grubb. "The chance to work with Denny is something I'm excited about. When you sit down with Joe and J.D. Gibbs, you can't help but be excited about this opportunity and the team aspects of JGR. There is no question about the level of support you get here and I'm looking forward to working with everyone across the entire organization."

Joe Gibbs Racing will hold a teleconference to discuss the hiring at 3 PM ET today. It can be heard live during Sirius Speedway on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90.

Driver Appearances Set For NASCAR Preview 2012 Presented by Sprint

Driver appearance times for many NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers have been confirmed for the inaugural NASCAR Preview 2012 Presented by Sprint preseason fan event scheduled for Jan. 21 in Charlotte, N.C.

Five-time champion Jimmie Johnson, four-time champion Jeff Gordon, 2011 Most Popular Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and 11 other top names from the sport join previously announced 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart on the roster of Sprint Cup Series drivers scheduled for two-hour appearances at the , all-day fan event located inside the Charlotte Convention Center. Driver appearances will include driver autograph and on-stage question-and-answer sessions.

NASCAR Preview 2012 Presented by Sprint is a new addition to the annual calendar. Reminiscent of popular season-preview events of the past, the festival-like event will feature driver and show car appearances, simulators, games, prizes and a host of other fan-friendly and interactive activities. The event is part of the three-day NASCAR Acceleration Weekend from Jan. 20-22 in Charlotte, N.C. that gives race fans a combination of events and activities featuring the legends of the sport and stars of today.

NASCAR Acceleration Weekend kicks off Friday, Jan. 20, with the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for the Class of 2012; Darrell Waltrip, Cale Yarborough, Dale Inman, Richie Evans and Glen Wood. Following Saturday’s NASCAR Preview 2012 Presented by Sprint event will be the unveiling of the Class of 2012 exhibits in the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Sunday, Jan. 22.

Stewart and other NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers will sign autographs in the Ballroom of the Charlotte Convention Center beginning at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday. Fans with event tickets are eligible to receive one of a limited number of wristbands to receive autographs. Wristbands will be distributed beginning at 7 a.m. in the Charlotte Convention Center Ballroom.

Driver Appearance Times (Jan. 21, 2012)

9:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. – Kyle Busch & Matt Kenseth

10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson & Denny Hamlin

11:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. – Brad Keselowski

12:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. – Kevin Harvick & Greg Biffle

12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Kasey Kahne & Ryan Newman

2:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. – Dale Earnhardt Jr. & Juan Pablo Montoya

3:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. – Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards & Kurt Busch

Additional drivers from the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series, along with all four living members of the 2011 Class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame will be announced at a later date. Appearance times are subject to change.

Fans will also have the opportunity to purchase new 2012 NASCAR merchandise at the NASCAR Preview 2012 Presented by Sprint. New items for 2012 include NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee merchandise, new 1:24 and 1:64 scale die cast cars, 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule T-shirts and new driver merchandise featuring Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne and more.

Tickets to NASCAR Preview 2012 Presented by Sprint start at just $10 for individual event admission. A discounted $20 combo ticket includes admission to both the Preview event and the NASCAR Hall of Fame, while a $299 VIP weekend package includes all NASCAR Acceleration Weekend events, including the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

For additional information, visit www.NASCARAcceleration2012.com.

Gaughan Signs Nationwide, Truck Deals With RCR

Brendan Gaughan will contest a partial schedule of both NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series events in 2012 under the Richard Childress Racing banner.

Gaughan told Sirius XM NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody today that he will run a total of 18 races next season; 10 on the NASCAR Nationwide Series in RCR’s No. 33 Chevrolet and eight more in the team’s #2 Camping World Truck Series Chevy. Sponsorship will come from the South Point Hotel and Casino.

Last season, Gaughan ran the entire Truck Series schedule for Germain Racing, finishing 12th in championship points with one Top-5 and eight Top-10 finishes in 25 starts. His best finish was a third in the UNOH 225 at Kentucky Speedway on July 7. A year ago, he drove for Rusty Wallace Racing on the Nationwide tour.

“I’ve never been willing to run a partial schedule before, because I wanted to win championships,” said Gaughan “While I won’t be running for a driver’s championship, Richard Childress is pretty serious about having the #2 Truck win the 2012 owners championship. He’s expecting a lot from that truck and that team, so I need to go out there and put points on the board. I’m tired of fudging around, trying to find teams that can run for a championship. Last year was a bummer of a season, but RCR doesn’t have bummer seasons.

“If I can go out and win races this season, that’s exactly what I want to do. I’m going to prove that I can still win.”

Tim George, Jr. will run the 12 Truck events in which Gaughan does not compete, with an all-star lineup of RCR drivers – including Kevin Harvick -- sharing time in the No. 33 Nationwide car.

Red Bull To Close Its Doors Tomorrow

Red Bull Racing's five-year run as a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team will come to an end tomorrow, when the last of approximately 150 employees will be laid off and the competition shop shut down, presumably for good.

After 284 Sprint Cup starts, over 106,000 competitive laps and two victories, the team informed its remaining employees this week that Thursday will be the final day of operation. A memo was distributed by the team's Human Resources Manager outlining severance procedures and establishing a schedule for exit interviews.

After a brief team meeting tomorrow morning, the team will raffle off sheet metal, mementos and photos that have hung at the Red Bull shop and distribute cases of Red Bull to departing employees. "We know it will be a difficult day for everyone," said the memo, "as a large number of employees will be exiting the facility."

Red Bull entered the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in February of 2007 with drivers AJ Allmendinger and Brian Vickers. Vickers qualified for all 36 races in that inaugural season, posting three Top-5 and six Top-10 finishes en route to a 19th place finish in championship points. The inexperienced Allmendinger struggled mightily, failing to qualify for the first eight races before being pulled in favor of veteran Mike Skinner for seven events. Scott Speed also ran the final five races that season in a Red Bull Toyota.

Speed and Vickers steered the twin Red Bull entries in 2008, with seven different drivers sharing time for the team the following year. Vickers, Speed, Casey Mears, Kasey Kahne, Reed Sorenson, Boris Said and Mattias Ekstrom all spent time behind the wheel of Red Bull Toyotas that season, managing just seven Top-10 finishes among them.

Kahne and Vickers anchored a more stable Red Bull effort this season, qualifying for all 36 races and finishing 14th and 25th in point, respectively. Truck Series regular Cole Whitt also made a pair of starts in a third Red Bull entry in late-season events at Phoenix and Homestead Miami Speedway.

The team announced in June of the year that owner Dietrich Mateschitz was seeking outside investors or a buyer for the team. With a reported asking price of $40 million, however, no serious bidders were found. In September, the team filed documents with the state of North Carolina warning that its 152-person roster of employees would be permanently laid off, on or before December 17.

Fred Lorenzen Honored By Illinois Assembly

Elmhurst, Ill. native and 1965 Daytona 500 winner Fred Lorenzen was honored by the Illinois General Assembly today at Chicagoland Speedway for his accomplishments as a NASCAR driver between 1958-1972.

“Fred Lorenzen was an icon of NASCAR and the racing world,” said Illinois State Representative Dennis Reboletti. “He is an Illinois sports legend and we recognize him for his lifetime of accomplishments.”

“Fred Lorenzen is a true NASCAR and Illinois sports legend, and we’re thrilled to be a part of today’s presentation honoring his accomplishments,” said Scott Paddock, Chicagoland Speedway president. “Fred was one of the first pioneers of NASCAR and his contributions have helped to make it the great sport that is today.”

Lorenzen has struggled in recent years with dementia brought on by Alzheimer's disease. He was unable to attend Wednesday's ceremony due to ill health, but was represented by daughter Amanda and son Chris.

Also in attendance at the press conference were two of Lorenzen’s old friends from his days at Holman-Moody Racing; Charlie ‘Slick’ Owens and Waddell Wilson. Owens spoke about Lorenzen’s impact in the world of racing and NASCAR, saying, “Freddie knew every piece of the race car. He worked on it, cleaned it and he never bragged about anything. He just went out and did what he had to do, and that was race.”

Wilson added, “Freddie taught me great ethics about racing. He was one of the highlights of my life. I look back at all the great things we’ve done, and even before I worked for him, I idolized him. He was my hero; he still is.”

Earning the nicknames “Fearless Freddie” and “Golden Boy,” Lorenzen recorded 26 wins in his NASCAR career and is still the only NASCAR driver to win 20 races in his first 100 starts. He also became the first driver to earn more than $100,000 in winnings in a single season, claiming $113,570 driving for the legendary Holman-Moody team in 1963.

Lorenzen is a member of more than one motorsports Hall of Fame, including the National Motorsports Press Association’s Hall of Fame, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. He has been nominated for the NASCAR Hall of Fame twice previously, but as the spring of 2012 approaches, Lorenzen fans are lobbying to see him nominated and inducted into the NASCAR Hall as a member of the Class of 2013.

Grandstands Fall At Watkins Glen

The combination of wind, rain, snow and fog could not prevent the capital improvement project at Watkins Glen International from marching forward today. Silverline Construction, based in Burdett, NY, demolished the final portion of The Glen's red, white and blue grandstands as the next step in the $1.5 million project that will result in three new grandstands at the track in 2012. Grandstand replacement began with the installation of four new structures prior to the 2011 season.

Removal of the plank bench seats in the grandstands began on December 1, with the red and white sections brought down over the past few days. Demolition of the blue section began at 10 a.m. today and was wrapped up before 5 p.m. Located at the base of the famed Esses, the stands were completed in 1969 and placed at the original site of the start-finish line.

Once the area outside Turn Two is cleared, E&D Specialty Stands, Inc. will excavate and install the foundations as well as build the new grandstand. The North Collins, NY based company has already completed approximately 80-percent of the new McDonald’s Family Grandstand and almost 50-percent of the Ninety Grandstand. E&D is the same company that installed the new Turn 10, Turn 11, Green and Silver Grandstands before this past season.

Swarthout Recycling removed the wooden planks and steel from both the Ninety and McDonald’s Family Grandstands in early November and will be using the material in other projects handled by the Beaver Dams, NY-based company. The concrete from the Red, White and Blue will be crushed on-site and reused on Watkins Glen International property while the planks will also be recycled by Swarthout.

The replacement of the grandstands is the most recent stage of a fan-feedback inspired project began last season with a the $3.1 million project that included the installation of four new grandstands, the construction of the new Glen Club and the addition of permanent showers in the infield. In last 10 years, over $30 million has been invested into upgrading and enhancing the WGI facility.

Tickets for the 2012 race season at Watkins Glen International are on sale now by contacting the WGI ticket office at 866.461.RACE(7223) or logging on to the official website, www.TheGlen.com.

George Inks 12-Race Truck Schedule With RCR

Tim George Jr. will run 12 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races next season for Richard Childress Racing, driving the No. 2 Chevrolet Silverado with sponsorship from the Potomac Family Dining Group.

A native of New York, N.Y., George is fresh off his best-ever ARCA Racing Series performance, after finishing the 2011 season seventh in championship points, with his first-career win at Pocono Raceway, eight Top-5 and 10 Top-10 finishes. The 30-year-old driver made his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut in November of 2009, one year after claiming victory at New Jersey Motorsports Park in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series. He began his racing career in 2005, driving in the Skip Barber Racing School Southern Series and finished second in his class the following year on the heels of five victories.

"Tim has shown a great amount of improvement, running in the ARCA Racing Series these past few years that included his first career win," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "We're ready to further strengthen his skills and moving him to the Camping World Truck Series is the next logical step. Having Ty Dillon and Joey Coulter as his teammates will help support his learning curve and I'm excited to see how he'll perform."

"This is a great opportunity that Richard Childress and everyone at RCR have given me," stated George. "To be invited back to race in NASCAR with one of the best racing teams in history is a dream come true. Being teammates with Ty Dillon and Joey Coulter will be fun and I look forward to learning more about how to race these trucks. I'm eager to get back in the seat and build on my experience, kicking off the 2012 season strong."

Potomac Family Dining Group is the exclusive franchisee for the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants in the Washington, D.C. and surrounding area.

"Having an association with Tim this past year has proven to be an exciting experience for us," said PFDG President Jim Rieger. "Quite frankly, the positive feedback from both our guests and our employees, has exceeded our expectations. And, since so many of our guests are also NASCAR fans, this collaboration is a perfect fit."

Bruce Cook, who has nearly twenty-five years of motorsports experience, will serve as crew chief for RCR's No. 2 Chevrolet Silverado team. His most recent stint came at Kevin Harvick Inc. where he captured three wins during the 2010 Nationwide Series season with Kevin Harvick and seven in the Camping World Truck Series with six different drivers en route to the 2011 owner's championship title.

George's race schedule and further additions to RCR's competition department will be forthcoming.

Max Gresham To Truck Series In 2012

Joe Denette Motorsports has announced that 2011 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion Max Gresham will join the team's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series line-up in 2012. Gresham will pilot the No. 24 Chevrolet Silverado and contend for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors.

"It's an honor to team up with Joe Denette Motorsports for the 2012 season," said Gresham. "As a rookie, it's going to be a learning year for me. To have Ron Hornaday, Jr. as a teammate and a mentor will be a great opportunity for me. He is an experienced veteran in the series with four championships and more than 50 wins. He will be someone I can lean on for help and guidance to grow as a driver and build a foundation for a successful future. I'm looking forward to getting the season started at Daytona in February."

Gresham, an 18-year-old native of Griffin, GA, captured the 2011 K&N Pro Series East title on the strength of two wins, four poles, nine top-five and 11 top-10 finishes. He was the only driver to complete all 1,705 laps contested in NKNPSE competition last season.

The 2012 season will mark his first full-time stint in the Truck Series. He had three starts in the series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Martinsville Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway last season. A sponsorship announcement for Max Gresham and the No. 24 JDM entry will be forthcoming.

UPDATED: JGR Confirms Ford Release. Grubb To Replace?

A spokesperson for Joe Gibbs Racing has confirmed published reports that Mike Ford will not return as crew chief for Denny Hamlin's #11 Fed Ex-sponsored Sprint Cup Series Toyota next season. The Associated Press had reported earlier that Ford has been terminated, and that an offer has been extended to 2011 championship winning crew chief Darian Grubb to replace Ford next season. While declining to comment on Grubb, a spokesperson for JGR told Sirius XM NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway today, "you are safe to say (Ford) has been released."

Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick confirmed recently that Grubb has a standing invitation to return to that organization in 2012, and Grubb said he has other offers from other operations, as well.

After winning eight races and challenging for the series championship a year ago, Hamlin and Ford managed just one victory in 2011. While they qualified for the Chase this season, they were never a contender for the title en route to a ninth place finish in points.

There has been no official confirmation by any of the involved parties.

What's Next For Kurt Busch?

With Kurt Busch now officially out at Penske Racing, the speculation begins on where the embattled NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver might land next.

First, a couple of facts.

Despite the rosy verbiage of this week’s official announcement, Busch’s departure from Penske Racing was not by “mutual agreement.” When mutinous pirates walked the plank in days of yore, they did so willingly, but with the point of a saber in their back to prod them swiftly along. In Busch’s case, there was likely just one point of agreement. When Roger Penske told Busch it was time to pack his bags and go, Busch agreed to do so.

Penske Racing’s written statement – and the subsequent comments of team management – leave no doubt that the decision to part company with Busch came with the full approval of Shell/Pennzoil. In apparent contrast to the Mars Corporation’s continued tolerance of brother Kyle Busch’s incidents of poor behavior, sources say Shell/Pennzoil expressed their displeasure to Penske in no uncertain terms, and will play a leading role in the selection of his replacement.

As Busch begins his search for a new employer, he has one major selling point in his favor. As a former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, he holds a Past Champion’s provisional that makes him a guaranteed starter for any team that chooses to sign him. As attractive as that option may be, however, it does not change the fact that there are very few open Sprint Cup rides for the choosing. Championship-caliber rides are even fewer and farther between.

Penske Racing is off the table. Hendrick Motorsports is an unlikely option after struggling with – and eventually jettisoning – younger brother Kyle Busch for similar conduct a few years ago. Richard Childress recently scaled-back his Sprint Cup roster from four cars to three, and his relationship with the Busch Brothers can be summed up with the now-infamous words, “Boy, hold my watch.” Joe Gibbs Racing has recently weathered a public relations debacle of its own with Kyle Busch, and appears unlikely to roll the dice again with Kurt. There is no chance of a return to Roush Fenway Racing -- where Kurt remains persona non grata since a similarly ugly departure in 2005 – and he is a long shot to drive any Ford team that receives technical support from RFR. Team owner Jack Roush has been a frequent and outspoken critic of Busch since their split, and will likely not support any team that lists KuBu on its roster of drivers.

As a result, the list of likely candidates for Busch in 2012 consists of Ganassi Racing, Stewart Haas and Michael Waltrip; along with lesser lights like Tommy Baldwin Racing, Furniture Row and TRG Motorsports. Based on his longstanding and loudly voiced complaints with the competitiveness of his former Penske entries, it’s hard to imagine Busch driving for a midfield team next season, making the pickings even slimmer.

The good news is that Busch seems to understand the seriousness of his mistakes and the outrageousness of his conduct. His comments in the last 24 hours have been filled with words like “unprofessional” and “unacceptable,” and he has spoken openly of his need to step back, engage in some much-needed self-assessment and recapture the joy that first attracted him to the sport. Talk is cheap, however, and only time will tell whether Busch’s words result in an actual change in conduct.

Kurt Busch has a lot of work to do, both personally and professionally. Here’s hoping that this week’s events provide the incentive to make some meaningful changes, at last.

Pattie To MWR With Former Red Bull Crew

Expect an announcement this week that Brian Pattie will serve as crew chief for Clint Bowyer's new #15 5-Hour Energy Toyota at Michael Waltrip Racing.

Pattie most recently worked atop the pit box for Juan Pablo Montoya's #42 Target Chevrolet team under the Ganassi Racing banner, and will lead Bowyer's new team at MWR this season. Many of the crew members under his watch will come from Red Bull Racing, which is not expected to return in 2012.

Red Bull Racing’s No. 83 Sprint Cup Series team pitted Johanna Long’s Super Late Model entry at this weekend’s Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida, and some of those crewmen began work at Michael Waltrip Racing today.

Unofficially, seven over-the-wall crewmembers from Red Bull Racing are expected to work for MWR in 2012. Five of them will crew Bowyer’s #15 Toyota, including the front tire changer, front tire carrier and gas man from Kasey Kahne’s former #4 team, along with the jack man and rear tire changer from Brian Vickers’ No. 83. Two other former Red Bull crewmen will work on MWR’s No. 56 and No. 55 Toyotas. Other former Red Bull team members have found work at JTG Daugherty Racing and Hendrick Motorsports.

Sources with Red Bull Racing said crewmembers were originally forbidden to talk to other teams until the end of their current contract in early December. Red Bull reportedly issued an amendment to that ruling 3-4 weeks ago, allowing crewmen to seek immediate employment in exchange for forfeiting their severance pay if Red Bull closes its doors.

It is expected that Red Bull will releasing the balance of its Competition Department at the end of business today.

It's Official: Busch Out At Penske Racing

Penske Racing announced today that it has reached a mutual agreement with driver Kurt Busch to end its driver/race team relationship, effective immediately.

The team will evaluate its options for the driver of the No. 22 Sprint Cup Series car in the future while Busch will seek new opportunities with another race team.

"I appreciate the victories that Kurt has brought Penske Racing and our sponsors over the past six years," said Roger Penske. "While I am disappointed that Kurt will not be racing for our team in the future, both Kurt and I felt that separating at this time was best for all parties, including our team and sponsors. I wish Kurt the best in his future racing endeavors."

“I am grateful to Penske Racing for six very productive years," said Busch. "Together, we won a lot of races; 16 in all. I’m proud that we won on a variety of tracks and this past season reached Victory Lane four times. Another highlight was pushing my teammate to a Daytona 500 win. I also appreciate the lasting friendships I’ve made while working with our great sponsors through the years, including Miller Lite, Shell and Dodge."

Busch called the decision to part company "a positive step for me. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I took time to reflect on what is most important to me and realized I need to find a way to put the fun back into racing. It’s time for a fresh start. Leaving a great organization and a lucrative contract is not easy, but it allows me to take a deep breath and work on things that can make me a better driver and a better person.

"I recognize the passion and emotion that have helped me succeed on the track need to be better channeled off the track. The past few months, I began working with a sports psychologist to help me better deal with my emotions, especially following moments of frustration during competition. I never want to take for granted that it’s a privilege to earn a living as a NASCAR driver. As I begin this new chapter in my career, I’m excited about the future and committed to making the changes necessary for me to enjoy racing again, to compete for championships and to better represent NASCAR, my sponsors, my team and my fans.

“I want to personally thank Roger Penske for the opportunity he gave me and for his friendship, which will continue long into the future.”

While the Penske statement made no mention of either Shell or Pennzoil, sources close to the team say both sponsors approved Busch's departure from the team, and will remain on the #22 Dodge in 2012 and beyond. There is no official word on Busch's replacement, though former Roush Fenway Racing driver David Ragan is believed to be the leading candidate.

Ragan Leading Candidate To Replace Busch

It appears that Kurt Busch's loss may be David Ragan's gain.

Multiple sources tell Sirius-Speedway.com that the former Roush Fenway Racing driver is the leading candidate to replace Kurt Busch at the wheel of Penske Racing's #22 Shell Pennzoil Dodge next season.

One day after the 2011 season finale at Homestead Miami Speedway, team owner Jack Roush said there was less than a 50/50 chance that he would re-sign the Undadilla, Ga., driver, saying, "Right now I don’t see having something for David. We aren’t far enough along. There are some discussions ongoing, but they aren’t far enough along that I would put more than a 40 percent chance of having something for David.”

Ragan’s former sponsor, UPS announced late in the season it will reduce its involvement in 2012, playing an associate’s role on the #99 Ford of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series runner-up Carl Edwards.

Roush still holds an option on Ragan's contract for 2012, but informed the driver recently that he is free to pursue opportunities with other teams. Now, sources say Ragan has emerged as the leading candidate from a field of potential replacements for Busch that includes David Reutimann and Brian Vickers, as well as Penske Racing Nationwide Series drivers Sam Hornish, Jr., and Parker Kligerman.

It is highly unlikely that Penske Racing would have fired Busch without the prior approval of sponsors Shell and Pennzoil, and sources say that decision also would not be made until the team and sponsors had agreed upon a viable replacement.

Busch Fired By Penske Racing; Announcement Expected Monday

Roger Penske has his limits. Kurt Busch has finally exceeded them.

Multiple sources confirm what the Charlotte Observer and ThatsRacin.com reported earlier today; that Penske Racing has fired the volatile NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver for his expletive-filled tirade against ESPN pit reporter Dr. Jerry Punch at Homestead Miami Speedway two weeks ago. The firing comes approximately six years after Busch was terminated by Roush Fenway Racing after being cited for reckless driving in Avondale, Ariz., and engaging in a verbal confrontation with Maricopa County Sheriff's Deputies.

A spokesperson for the team declined to confirm Busch's firing today, but multiple sources say Busch has been informed that he will not return next season. An official announcement is expected Monday.

There is no word on who will replace Busch at the wheel of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Dodge, which finished 11th in Sprint Cup Series points this season with two wins, eight Top-5 and 16 Top-10 finishes in 36 starts. A handful of drivers -- including David Reutimann, David Ragan and Brian Vickers -- remain unsigned for the 2012 campaign, and could replace Busch and Penske Racing. The Las Vegas native will have a more difficult time finding competitive employment next season, with the vast majority of championship contending seats already filled.

NASCAR fined Busch $50,000 for his abuse of Punch, which was captured by a fan's cell phone and widely viewed on YouTube in the days following the incident. Penske Racing issued a statement the following week calling Busch's actions "inconsistent with the company’s standards for behavior, respect for others and professionalism," adding that the matter was under internal review.

The termination is eerily similar to his departure from Roush Fenway Racing in November of 2005, when he was pink-slipped with two races remaining after what team president Geoff Smith called "vituperative abusiveness" to law enforcement officials during a traffic stop near Phoenix International Raceway. Busch had already announced plans to leave the team at season's end to drive for Penske.

Top 10 Quotes NOT Reported During NASCAR Champion's Week

The NASCAR media contingent has a lot on its plate these days. From baiting Kurt Busch into expletive-filled tirades to covering up the latest Daytona Beach "Black Helicopter" conspiracy, it seems like there are no longer enough hours in the day to cover the sport in its entirety.

In an effort to help the Fourth Estate get caught up after an exhausting few days in Las Vegas, we offer the Top 10 quotes NOT reported by the media during Champion's Week 2011.

10) Jeff Gordon – “Ingrid, call 9-1-1. I think I just dislocated something important with that break dancing move.”

9) Ryan Newman – “I’d have won the championship myself, if Stewart hadn’t hogged all the good cars and engines!”

8) Dale Earnhardt, Jr. -- “This is my girlfriend. We’ve been together for a while now, and I’m really looking forward to settling down, having some kids and jettisoning my bachelor lifestyle. Anyone wanna buy a perfectly good I-Racing setup?”

7) Brad Keselowski – “Penske Racing has hired an orthopedic surgeon to break my ankle every six weeks next year.”

6) Carl Edwards – “Tony Stewart is a stinking, rotten cheater! A cheater, I tell ya!

5) Kurt Busch – “Therapy rocks!

4) Tony Stewart – “Wow, I’ve got a great view of Reba’s butt from here!”

3) Matt Kenseth – “Don’t tell anyone, but I just peed in Brian Vickers’ daiquiri.”

2) Jimmie Johnson – “Helloooo? Reporters! I’m over HERE!”

1) Darian Grubb – “SCREW YOU, SMOKE!”

The Sad, Strange Journey Of Darian Grubb

Darian Grubb has just experienced the greatest week of his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career.

And the worst.

From the beginning of the 2011 NASCAR Champion’s Week festivities, Grubb made the most of his role as the sport’s most unlikely lame duck, celebrating a championship won alongside Tony Stewart and the #14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 team while knowing – as everyone now knows – that he will not be allowed to defend that title. Grubb’s wife, Yolanda, called herself and her husband, “the big elephant in the room" everywhere they went in Las Vegas this week, and the analogy could not have been more apt.

Three weeks after the team confirmed Grubb will not return in 2012, fans still struggle to understand the decision. How can a crew chief who masterminded five Chase victories and one of the most improbable championships in NASCAR history end up losing his job?

While the exact dates continue to be debated, the decision boils down to one word.

Timing.

Stewart’s Office Depot/Mobil 1 team started the season strong, claiming the championship point lead after the season’s third event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. They failed to maintain that momentum, however, plummeting to 11th just three weeks later, before spending the remainder of the regular season clinging to (or lurking just outside) the Top-10. Winless in the 26-race regular season, they entered the 2011 Chase no better than ninth, and by Stewart’s own admission were simply “taking up space” among the more legitimate championship contenders.

With little reason to expect a change in performance, team management decided that changes needed to be made to the #14 team. “There were a group of us that sat down and had to make a decision,” said Stewart. “The decision was that we needed to go in a different direction. (It) was made before the Chase started, (but) we wanted to finish this thing out strong together. We were going to (stay together) to the end of the year.

"There were a lot of missed opportunities and… variables that we felt needed to be changed," he said. "We decided to make the change, and we stuck with what our decision was."

As the Chase began, Stewart’s season took an unexpected turn for the better. Wins in the first two races of the Chase at Chicagoland and New Hampshire gave the mercurial driver a much-needed burst of adrenaline. That momentum was squandered, however, with finishes of 25th at Dover and 15th in Kansas. As the circuit came home to Charlotte Motor Speedway with the team ninth in points, Stewart made it official, informing Grubb that he would not be retained past the end of the season.

Behind-the-scenes conversations were quickly initiated with Penske Racing crew chief Steve Addington, a proven, championship-caliber pit boss who had cultivated a close relationship with Stewart during the pair’s tenure at Joe Gibbs Racing. Unhappy with his position as crew chief for Kurt Busch’s #22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge, Addington agreed to join SHR in 2012.

Surprising, insiders say Grubb “loosened up” after being informed of his impending release, obsessing less about strategic decisions and becoming more decisive atop the pit box. Coincidentally or not, Stewart got hot again, racking up Top-10 finishes at Charlotte and Talladega, then making back-to-back visits to Victory Lane at Martinsville and Texas.

A third-place finish at Phoenix International Raceway sent Stewart and Grubb to Homestead Miami Speedway three points behind leader Carl Edwards, setting the stage for a winner-take-all race for the title. A classic battle ensued -- arguably the greatest 400 miles in the history of the sport – and when it was over, Tony Stewart was the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion.

Darian Grubb was unemployed.

"I'm very proud of the fact that through it all, (Darian) was able to do a great job and we were able to come out with a championship,” said Stewart afterward. “It's a pretty strong statement.

"(But the) wins and the championship don't change some of the variables we were looking at changing," he added. "There are no major flaws with Darian, but there were variables we felt like we needed to change. And we stuck with that."
For his part, Grubb spoke eloquently, honestly and respectfully throughout Champion’s Week, attempting to explain the wildly conflicting emotions that have dogged his championship celebration, every step of the way.

"It's definitely awkward," he admitted, "but we're trying to put that in the back of our head and go out and enjoy what we've accomplished. I think we're doing a good job of that, but it's tough. To win a championship is one of the most special moments of my life. But knowing that it's coming to an end, ...that's a tough thing for me. I've already got my office cleaned out and we're getting ready to move on."

As the championship-winning crew chief, Grubb was asked to speak at this week's Myers Brothers Award luncheon. Understandably, he struggled to maintain his composure while at the podium, delivering a poignant, heart-felt speech that can be viewed by clicking HERE.

He was not alone.

Sprint Cup Series Director John Darby – nobody’s sissy – and a number of others in the crowd were moved to tears by the words of the lame-duck title winner. And when he concluded, no less than championship runner-up Carl Edwards leapt to his feet in applause, triggering a heartfelt standing ovation for one of the most respected and beloved members of the Sprint Cup Series garage.