Best Buy will appear on Ricky Stenhouse Jr’s No. 17 Ford for 12 races, and the No. 99 Ford driven by Carl Edwards for four races.

According to Steve Newmark, RFR president, the No. 17 has sponsorship for about 70% of the season, which they say is a good sign because at this time last year, they had no sponsorship sold.

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Allmendinger said:

I am really excited about the opportunity to join Penske Racing and drive the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge in 2012. I have always admired Roger Penske and the way his teams compete and win in every series where they race. It is a privilege for me to represent such iconic and respected brands as Shell and Pennzoil, AAA and Dodge. I am honored to join Penske Racing and I will do my very best to continue to build on the standard of excellence established across the organization.

Team owner Roger Penske said:

AJ is a very talented and motivated driver and we believe he will be a terrific fit with our team. He has shown great promise and consistent results on the track over the last few seasons and working with Todd and the Shell-Pennzoil Dodge team will allow him to take the next step and compete for race wins and a spot in the Chase in 2012.

No word on who will replace Allmendinger in the No. 43, but rumor has it that David Ragan is being considered. Kurt Busch was also said to be in the running for that seat before Best Buy left to join RFR.

Drew Panayiotou, senior vice president of marketing with Best Buy, said:

Best Buy is thrilled to announce this new NASCAR sponsorship deal with Roush Fenway Racing. [RFR] is a great fit for Best Buy Racing. NASCAR continues to be a relevant way for us to connect with our customers. Our goal is to reach our target audiences in a meaningful way, while maximizing the value of our marketing and sponsorship investments.

RPM owner Richard Petty said in a statement:

We have had a successful and rewarding relationship with Best Buy for the past few years and appreciate all they have done for us. Although it is very disappointing that Best Buy is changing directions at this late date, we wish all of our friends there the best in their future endeavors. Our plan has always been to run a two-car team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2012 and we are continuing down that path. We have several partners that remain committed to the #43 team. We will move forward and explore all of our options in regard to the #43 program in the coming weeks.

RPM had been rumored to be considering Kurt Busch as a replacement for AJ Allmendinger, with the hopes that Busch would be able to help the team retain the Best Buy sponsorship. Busch parted ways with Penske Racing after the season ended, due to concern from Shell Pennzoil over Busch’s behavior last season. No word on how this latest development affects Busch’s potential status with the team.

RPM Chief Operating Officer Robbie Loomis confirmed that discussions were taking place about Busch. Loomis said:

Best Buy has been a great partner for a long time, and AJ Allmendinger has done a fantastic job for us. He’s coming off his best season yet, but I can tell you there is a lot of interest on our part in having Kurt Busch in the fold. It makes sense to have Kurt with our team, if we can make it work. Our main focus is to continue building on what we finished the season with last year.

Busch parted ways with Penske Racing after a tumultuous year in which Busch became known for his in-race, over-the-radio tirades directed at crew chief Steve Addington and his team. A video in which he berated respected NASCAR media member Dr. Jerry Punch went viral, and proved to be the last straw for Busch.

There is no word on what will happen to AJ Allmendinger, if Busch were to take over the No. 43.

Jack Roush, whose Roush Fenway Racing team supplies cars and engines to RPM, could also block Busch from joining RPM, as Busch drove for RFR before joining Penske and was let go after on-track and off-track incidents.

Under the terms of the deal, Best Buy will appear as primary sponsor on the car for 24 races in the 2011 Sprint Cup Series season. Best Buy will also appear as primary sponsor in two, non-points-paying events, the Duels and the Sprint All-Star Race.

Best Buy will also serve as an associate sponsor on the team’s No. 9 car, to be driven by Marcos Ambrose next season.

Allmendinger said:

It’s great to have Best Buy back onboard our No. 43 Ford. They have been a great partner and I’m really excited about the opportunity to work with an organization that is as passionate about its racing program as I am. I think this is going to be a great year for this Richard Petty Motorsports team and I can’t wait to get the Best Buy Ford into Victory Lane.

The No. 43 team also has partial sponsorship from Valvoline lined for the 2011 season.

Allmendinger will be the only driver RPM has under contract next season. Paul Menard, whose contract expires at the end of this season, could be headed to Richard Childress Racing. If he leaves, he will take his Menards sponsorship with him. 

Elliott Sadler has already announced that he is leaving the team at season’s end. Rumor has it that Stanley Tools would go with him if he leaves. There are also rumors circulating that Best Buy would also go with him. Both of these have not yet been confirmed.  

Kasey Kahne signed a deal with Hendrick Motorsports back in April. It’s unclear whether Budweiser would stay on, but rumors have that sponsorship moving to RCR and Kevin Harvick, who lost his Shell Pennzoil sponsorship to Penske Racing and driver Kurt Busch. 

Marcos Ambrose is rumored to be the likely candidate to replace Kahne in the No. 9 car. But, he also didn’t rule out returning to Australia, walking away from NASCAR altogether, according to FoxSports.com.

Ambrose said:

I’ve spoken to a few people down there, and all have been well received, and it’s actually been in the papers and on national television over the last few days, you know, obviously not ruling out the possibilities of me returning and where I would potentially go. But my heart is in NASCAR to be honest with you. I’ve got unfinished business at this level of racing. I feel like I’ve become part of the sport but I haven’t become a contender on a weekly basis, and I feel like I’m really — if I left now, I would feel like I’ve got unfinished business.