Full Throttle

Let’s do a short recap of the tangled webs of NASCAR’s contractual musical Simpson racing seats.

Jack Roush signs Jamie McMurray to an ‘07 contract - under contract to Ganassi Racing through ‘06 - Chip refuses to release McMurray. In a twist that can only be described as ironic, Penske South lures away current [avatar:http://cranialcavity.net/files/cup.jpg]NEXTEL Cup[/avatar] Champion Kurt Busch away from Roush (not a first time occurence I reminded) leading Jack to exclaim: “He [Busch] said, ‘I don’t want to negotiate with you for 2007,’” Roush said Friday at Watkins Glen International. “I said, ‘OK,’ and he said, ‘I want to be released for 2006.’ I said ‘not OK.’”

Leaving both teams with lame duck drivers.

Not content with the twists and turns Watkins Glen offers this week, Ganassi used the venue to announce a new twist. [avatar:http://cranialcavity.net/files/bgn.gif]Busch Series[/avatar] Rookie of the Year contender Reed Sorenson will be moving into the #41 Cup ride of Casey Mears for the ‘06 season. Mears, who has had rumors swirling around his head for months, stays at Ganassi to field a fourth and brand new team. Car number of the new team is unknown, wonder if 666 is available?

Enter Ray Evernham and this little bit of web spinning.

One of the most recognizable faces in NASCAR, Evernham was in Lexington Monday holding discussions with Valvoline, the company that will be his partner next year when the owner adds a third car to his full-time Cup stable.

To get the news (or lack thereof) out of the way, Evernham said he is not ready to announce who will be behind the wheel of the No. 10 car that his company and Valvoline will co-own next season.

Scott Riggs, who drives for Valvoline and its current partner (MBV Motorsports), “is on the list,” Evernham said. “But there are also several other people on that list.”

That was Monday. This is Friday and MBV Motorsports has entered the fray.

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. - The three-year contract extension MB2/MBV Motorsports has offered driver Scott Riggs to remain with what is now the No. 10 Chevrolet team has expired and the team is holding off offering another, team officials confirmed Friday.

“We offered Scott a contract in May, and we met again in July and were still willing to execute it then,” team general manager Jay Frye said. “The last time we met was (last month) at Pocono, and at that point we were not as willing to take the risk, depending on the sponsorship.

“At this point, we’re not saying it’s not going to happen