Full Throttle

According to a report a technical alliance is being formed between Front Row Motorsports (FRM) and John Andretti with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing for the Daytona 500 and future Sprint Cup races.

As we’ve seen so many times recently the report is from “un-named sources,” although it’s from the usually reliable Lee Spencer and does include a few Andretti quotes.

“We’re good friends and we work together on a lot of things,” Andretti said of Jenkins. “(The future of the team) all depends on what Bob can do because sponsorship right now is limited.”

While on the subject of alliances, have I missed something? Whatever happened, or will happen if still in force, FRM’s engine deal with Hendrick? And what of the DEI engine program that was joined-at-the-hip with RCR?

Again, have I missed something?

I’m so confused!? It’s all so.. so, “merged.”

Anyway, my puzzlement aside (Free carousel tickets anyone?), why John Andretti?

Granted he will make a good mentor for reigning Rookie of the Year Regan Smith who’s set to pilot the #78 FRM Chevy part-time this year. (And isn’t that a bit of deja-vu? Smith drove for DEI last season and now he’s in effect right back where he started.)

But still, good mentor or not Andretti hasn’t exactly burned up the track with wins lately, Or ever truth be known. And please, someone remind me, didn’t FRM have an “elderly mentor” on its payroll? Why yes, yes they did.

But hey, it’s not my dime. Or 10’s of millions. They can spend as they see fit, on what they see as a more prosperous future. For the sake of FRM I hope it is.

I’ll just sit back and watch Smith out perform Andretti.