Three drivers vying for RPM seat?
Perhaps the biggest domino, of late, in NASCAR silly season 2012 fell on Wednesday when A.J. Allmendinger was announced as the replacement for Kurt Busch behind the wheel of the No. 22 Sprint Cup Series entry of Penske Racing.
Before the news of Allmendinger’s departure, a rumor of Busch heading to Richard Petty Motorsports began to circulate. At the same time, other speculation had Busch heading to Phoenix Racing to drive the No. 51 car. As you probably know by now, Busch joined Phoenix Racing—the official announcement came on Thursday.
Before Allmendinger’s departure from Richard Petty Motorsports, the powers that be at RPM were adamant that the organization would continue to field two cars in 2012, despite Best Buy—sponsor of the No. 43 Allmendinger drove in 2011—leaving the team to back efforts at Roush Fenway Racing.
Now with Allmendinger gone, and Marcos Ambrose the only Cup driver left in the RPM stable, will the organization continue with its plans to field two teams full-time in 2012? And if so, who will the driver of the No. 43 be next year?
Well, lets see.
The two Davids (Reutimann and Ragan) are still looking for rides, last I heard. So is Brian Vickers. With the silly season puzzle finally coming together, it looks like maybe these three drivers will by vying for the empty seat at RPM. But that’s only one seat, and there doesn’t really look to be any other decent rides available for 2012 on the Sprint Cup circuit.
Which driver, if either, will wind up at RPM? And what will the other two do? Here’s my guess—for whatever that’s worth: Vickers at RPM and maybe Ragan and Reutimann in perhaps the Nationwide Series with occasional appearances in Cup. But are there any quality Nationwide seats available? What’s a driver—or pair of drivers—to do?
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