After the continuing activity during this off-season, I have but one conclusion. You just never know what is going to happen. Witness the separation of Penske Racing and Kurt Busch. Even though Busch pretty much sealed his own fate with his actions this year, you had to feel that a championship caliber driver would not be asked to move on. I was wrong. I imagine sponsor Shell-Pennzoil had a lot to do with that decision. So, the next shoe to drop shouldn’t have been a surprise.
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[/media-credit]When Best Buy made the decision to head over to Roush-Fenway to sponsor 2011 runner-up Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth, it left A.J. Allmendinger without a sponsor, so he had to go looking. Even though it was rumored that David Ragan, also sponsor less since UPS also headed to other teams in Jack Roush’s stable, would possibly take the No. 22 ride. After so much time elapsed, it was obvious that wasn’t going to happen. And Allmendinger had to deal with Robbie Loomis’ comment that he would mortgage his house to get Kurt Busch in Allmendinger’s No. 43 car. Allmendinger got the offer and he jumped. Ragan is still looking for a ride, but he’s not alone. I imagine David Reutimann, replaced by Clint Bowyer, and Brian Vickers, the victim of Red Bull’s closure, are feeling the same pain. It appears the only good job left is the famous No. 43 ride, and with Busch, Ragan, Reutimann, and Vickers looking for a ride, the competition will be fierce.
On the surface, it looks to be a game between Busch, Ragan, and Reutimann. I don’t see any way that Vickers will be considered for a Richard Petty Motorsports car—too much bad blood between Vickers and Matt Kenseth after last season’s troubles, and you have to remember that RPM is more or less a satellite of RFR. It’s pretty much the same with Busch. After Busch won a championship with RFR, he announced he was leaving for Roger Penske’s operation. Then an alcohol related event at Phoenix led to his firing. There is bad blood between Roush and Busch. Even though King Richard runs his own team, I can’t imagine RPM hiring Busch unless he can bring a sponsor with him. That’s the bottom line. The same could be said for Ragan and Reutimann. Whoever can bring the dollars will get the ride. It’s the way things are done in these times. Whichever driver can finance the No. 43 will get the ride.
My crystal ball is a little foggy these days, and even though the common opinion is that Ragan will go to RPM’s famous ride, I don’t see it happening. Kurt Busch is a name driver, whose talent has never been in doubt. David Ragan has won one race in his career and might be the choice is sponsorship doesn’t come. Petty has said he is committed to running the No. 43, no matter what. Reutimann is the dark horse. Once again, bringing sponsorship seals the deal. You just never know.
Look for Ragan to get a ride in one of the Front Row Motorsports cars for 2012. Look for Busch to get the RPM ride. I’ve been wrong before, and like I said the crystal ball is foggy, but I can’t imagine anything else. Reutimann? Who knows? One thing is certain, unless someone has a rabbit up their sleeve, this is the way it will come down, unless Busch Reutimann, and Ragan strike out in finding a sponsorship. Like I said, you just never know,
As the sponsorship money continues to dwindle more and more drivers are on the outside looking in. At least two this year that a year ago looked locked in will be sitting. Even if Ragan gets a Front Row drive, thats puts one of their drivers out of work. Hope these guys saved their money.
Sorry Ron. Associating Richard Petty with Kurt Busch would be the biggest mistake of the century. Richard Petty is head and shoulders above all of NASCAR put together, and deserves everyone’s respect. Richard has suffered a lot of discomfort in his lifetime, why would “The King” expose himself to a sure pain in the posterior?