Just like your local Walmart displaying Christmas merchandise three weeks prior to Halloween, it seems that NASCAR’s annual silly season also starts earlier. Silly season is NASCAR’s annual gossip fest that entertains both the racing media and the fans on a variety of topics such as driver, manufacturer and sponsor changes.
At this point in time a major focus seems to be on Earnhardt Ganassi Racing-EGR. This is, of course, the merger between Dale Earnhardt Inc and Target Chip Ganassi Racing, presented by Felix Sabates, that occurred during the winter off season late last year.
The current questions being raised regarding EGR’s status include:
Is driver Martin Truex Jr leaving the company to join Michael Waltrip Racing?
Will his long time sponsor, Bass Pro Shops, leave with him?
What are Napa Auto Parts Plans?
Will Juan Pablo Montoya surprise everyone by getting an EGR Chevrolet in the Sprint Chase For The Championship?
Will Montoya start the 2010 season in a Toyota provided by Joe Gibbs Racing?
Is Aric Almirola’s #8 ride still temporarily parked or is it now terminated?
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TRUEX TO MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING-MWR?
This rumor appears to be so true that you can practically bet the farm on it. In fact look for the official announcement around July 7th.
Late last year Truex agreed to a one year contract extension with his present team in hopes that the newly formed EGR would lead to something better than what he saw during the 2008 season. So far that doesn’t appear to be the case. In 17 starts this season Truex has no wins, no top five finishes, only three top tens and one Coors Light Pole award. Although he has led a total of 109 laps, his average race start is 17th and his average finish ratio is only 21.938. Truex is currently ranked 22nd in the Sprint Cup championship points with no anticipation that he will become a Chase player during the course of the next nine races.
Meanwhile Michael Waltrip, owner/driver of the #55 MWR-Napa Toyota, has been saying for several months now that he would consider removing himself from the driver’s seat if he could find a new driver that is better than he is. The prospect of Truex moving to MWR appears to fit that bill just fine.
One of those motivating factors is the acknowledged performance improvements of MWR this year. This is especially true of driver David Reutimann who won his first Cup race recently. There has also been a general improvement in Waltrip and Marcus Ambrose whose team has an alliance with MWR.
Yet another motivating factor is the attractive possibility that Martin Truex Jr will become a MWR team mate with his Brother. Ryan Truex currently has a driver development deal with MWR and has already impressed quite a few observers with his progress..
Martin Truex Jr at this point will neither confirm or deny his plans for next year but, with a giant smile on his face, has been telling the racing media that “a decision has been made, I just can’t tell you about it yet.”
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WHAT IS BASS PRO SHOPS GOING TO DO?
Martin Truex Jr and Bass Pro Shops have been a perfect marketing fit. Truex is a lover of the great outdoors and has been a very good representative for the company.
However Bass Pro Shops is reported to be contractually tied with EGR through the end of the 2010 season. But in recent weeks a rather interesting silly season rumor surfaced regarding that contract. It seem that the contract may have a “performance clause” That simply means that if the team fails to measure up to a certain set of performance standards then Bass Pro Shops could leave EGR. Let’s face it, the numbers this team has turned in so far this season won’t measure up to anyone’s sense of standards.
Late last week an EGR spokesman said they expected Bass Pro Shops to remain with them through at least the 2010 season. The spokesman absolutely refused to comment on who was being considered as a replacement for Truex.
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