Breaking News at Penske Racing
Sam Hornish Jr’s Sprint Cup crew chief Chris Carrier has been shown the garage door of Penske Racing South.
He’s being replaced by Travis Geisler who’s previously been the race engineer for Ryan Newman’s #12 Dodge.
This is kind of a strange move in one sense (unless it’s somehow linked to Newman leaving Penske) Hornish is the top rookie which makes it rather odd. On the other hand the ‘08 campaign is essentially over for the #77 and in all probability Penske is looking at getting a jump on next year.
In other news: Brad Coleman’s time behind the wheel of the #96 wasn’t very long. Ken Schrader is replacing the rookie at Bristol this weekend.
“Ken Schrader has a lot of experience at Bristol and we felt with as competitive as the field will be this weekend, he gives us the best chance to be successful,” said Tom Garfinkel, co-owner of Hall of Fame Racing.
Presumably he means qual performance because with the team sitting in 40th and 279 out of 35th in the owners standings they have zero hope of improving that any.
And in Ganassi news: There is a report out, confirmed by a media representative for Ganassi Racing, Texaco-Havoline is not only dumping sponsorship of the Montoya ride but leaving NASCAR in any capacity.
That leaves Chip with two of his three Sprint Cup teams looking, begging, cajoling sponsorship, times two, for 2009. Losta luck given the teams historical mid-pack performance level.
Technorati Tags: Penske Racing, Sprint Cup, Sam Hornish Jr. Ken Schrader
Whoa! Chip may have to fund JPM’s wages out of his own pocket, whether Juan is on the track or not, I’m speculating that there is nothing in Montoya’s contract about funding/sponsorship.
I wonder if they can pull a Latin sponsor.
A possibility Peter, Ganassi’s co-owner, long-time co-owner I might add, is of Cuban origin.
Where’s Fidel when you need him! Or Hugo?
That said, this announcement fits very nicely in my Juan Pablo “isn’t long for Ganassi” theory.
Oh, JPM not long for Ganassi theory? Do tell.
I can’t see him leaving NASCAR & going to drive a crapwagon.
Was Texaco that great a sponsor anyway By that I mean, were they ponying up tier one bucks to Ganassi? I know one of the main reason why RYR let them off the hook was because Texaco was not willing to step up with (at the time UPS like dollars).
This may work out for the better for Ganassi in the long run.
Said nothing about any crapwagons Peter, I just think the bloom has worn off the Ganassi rose for Juan after the crew chief fiasco and lack of speed (if not commitment) for his team.
I believe not later than the end of ‘09, if not WAY sooner he’s outta there.
okla… I don’t see it, Ganassi is a Titanic waiting for it’s iceburg. It may be the loss of two sponsors or it may be something else but Ganassi in NASCAR has been nothing but a red-headed step-child when compared to his other racing endeavors.