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June 14, 2006
Mears' Future Set.
By Mark Young
Rick Hendrick didn't waste any time in finding a driver to replace Brian Vickers in the 25 car next year. This afternoon he announced that Casey Mears will pilot his 4th car through 2009. This is actually no big surprise to me as Casey, though never winning a stock car race, is very talented and sponsor friendly. So now the speculation that Mears to Yates with Havoline and driving the 28 are squashed, who is the leading candidate for the 88? Is Vickers still going to Toyota as rumored? Give me your thoughts on what this does to a very early Silly Season......does it clear things up or make it clear as mud?
June 14, 2006 | Permalink
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Comments
I'll bring up a name I haven't seen anyone mentioning -- Johnny Sauter.
It seems to me that he's settled down a good bit over the last couple years and might just be worthy of a second chance at a good Cup ride.
Posted by: M. B. Voelker | Jun 14, 2006 3:43:28 PM
Ward Burton to the 88. Vickers to Red Bull.
Posted by: Michael | Jun 14, 2006 3:47:43 PM
Vickers to Red Bull for sure. Ward Burton to #88 I'm not so certain - I doubt UPS wants Burton, a driver out of the sport for 18 months now.
Posted by: Mike Daly | Jun 14, 2006 4:10:52 PM
Yates teams disslove into Jacks' operation, Vickers goes to the 19 ride, and Jeremy goes to Toyota/Red Bull. Yeh i know far fetched , but hey.. anything could happen.
Posted by: Jim | Jun 14, 2006 5:00:05 PM
UPS has to have a Winner
and they also need a spokeman/actor
so it will be interesting
to see where they end up
my predicts
BV to RB
WB to RYR
this prediction is only good till friday
when things will change again.....big news from MW
Posted by: trucker | Jun 14, 2006 6:16:40 PM
JOHNNY SAUTER!!! I thought once he came down here, he'd straighten up and drive right...unfortunatly he is the same "usual suspect" creating cautions like he did at Elko speedway...Sorry M.B I still have issues with him!
Congratulations to Casey Mears...I guess, I think the #25 car is cursed.
Posted by: Tbfka# 5 | Jun 14, 2006 8:19:51 PM
Ward to Yates isn't a bad idea, UPS may not have anything to do with it as I believe they will leave and either go to Evernham or Toyota.
Posted by: Mark | Jun 14, 2006 9:22:31 PM
Tbfka#5
I also have always thought that the 25 is cursed
and as any race fan knows that racers,racefan's,owners and others believe
in superstition's
Posted by: trucker | Jun 14, 2006 9:52:30 PM
Hey Mark,
Let's try Brendan Gaughn in the 88. Mike Skinner also comes to mind. While the "young gun" theme is working for some, maybe some experience is the answer. Ward is fine, but out of sight out of mind.
The best driver available next year,..mmmmmmmmm. Mark Martin gets a call from Ford, and they say PPPllease. He says well, ok you have heard this story..
Posted by: Larry | Jun 14, 2006 10:38:22 PM
Brendan is a telent that got ruined. I believe Dodge pushed Penske to hire him and was nothing more than an R&D car for Rusty. It is a shame because he is a great guy. I don't think we will ever see Brendan in a Cup car again and that is wrong.
Posted by: Mark | Jun 14, 2006 11:00:38 PM
Skinner could be a consideration for a Toyota ride with Bill Davis. He has a lot of experience and is in good graces with both Davis and Toyota.
Posted by: Mark | Jun 14, 2006 11:01:48 PM
Great thoughts!
I think we'll see some things in the coming weeks that will make us go wow! For example, Steve Wallace in the No. 42 replacing Mears next season. Hmmm.
Vickers may be looking at Red Bull, but what if he replaces David Stremme in the No. 40? Coors needs a driver that can compete with Junior and Busch, so Ganassi could decide that he's had enough of Stremme and pay BV the big bucks. It could happen....lol
Someone may look at Kenny Wallace. In good equipment he can keep a car in the top 35 (unlike some) and provide huge sponsorship exposure doing his TV gig.
Fun to think outside the box!
Posted by: MikeHarper | Jun 15, 2006 12:17:17 AM
Ol' Herman deserves one season in a kick-ass ride!! I can listen to him all day long because he isn't fake about his exuberance unlike another tall lanky driver that doesn't ever seem to shut up.
Posted by: Mark | Jun 15, 2006 7:47:12 AM
I think that someone else deserving of a quality ride is Scott Wimmer. He's still relatively young, he's well spoken, and he's one hell of a driver. He's just never had a shot at a quality Cup ride.
I like the mention of Johnny Sauter too. He's calmed down just enough to be marketable, but not too much to the point of being a puppet.
I think that Awesome Bill will return full time for another season with a Toyota team, Ward will end up somewhere (possibly Yates), Mears finally wins with Hendrick, and Vickers goes with Red Bull. Ganassi will find a filler for the 42 until Dan Wheldon decides he wants to go Cup racing.
Posted by: Brian S. | Jun 15, 2006 10:47:59 AM
Paul Tracey is another open-wheeler who at least has testes and competed in a stock car. Don't count him out either.
Posted by: Mark | Jun 15, 2006 10:59:47 AM
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