Sadler will also drive for Kevin Harvick Inc/RCR in the Nationwide Series in the No. 2 Chevy.

Brendan Gaughan will take over driving duties of the No. 33 Cup Chevy the following week at Phoenix International Raceway, and will drive until the fifth race of the season at Auto Club Speedway.

The No. 33 is locked into the first five races of 2012 because the team finished 13th in points last season, while Clint Bowyer was the driver. Bowyer left in the offseason to join Michael Waltrip Racing.

Childress said:

We’re working really hard right now on sponsorship for him. We’re all wanting to stay together but we’re just looking for sponsorship. We’ve got some really good things going on but we’ve got to get them finalized. … I think you’ll see General Mills back next year.

It appears that Bowyer is/was a candidate for Red Bull Racing’s No. 4 Toyota. That team may not be around next season, but it was reported that he was being considered for that ride.

Earlier this year, Boston Ventures purchased a significant stake in Petty Enterprises. The team is seeking a sponsor for Bobby Labonte and its No. 43 Dodge, which lost General Mills to Richard Childress Racing’s No. 33 team and driver Clint Bowyer.

The team is also said to be at odds with Kyle Petty, who could leave and take the team’s only major sponsor, Wells Fargo, with him.

DEI is also searching for sponsorship, after US Army bolted for Stewart Haas Racing’s No. 39 and driver Ryan Newman. Paul Menard is leaving at the end of the season to go to Yates Racing, and he is taking his Menards sponsorship with him, leaving DEI with Bass Pro Shops as its only sponsor, on Martin Truex Jr.’s No 1 Chevy. DEI currently has Regan Smith and Aric Almirola on its roster, but sponsors for neither team.

General Mills was not comfortable with Mears as its driving because he currently drives for their competitor. It’s also unknown how Mears will perform, and General Mills wanted a driver that would contend for a championship, which led to the switch with Bowyer.

The team hopes to get the contract signed this week so an announcement can be made this weekend at Michigan International Raceway.

Right now, rumor has it that Mears would move to the No. 07 Jack Daniels Chevy, and Clint Bowyer would move over to the No. 33 General Mills Chevy. The reason: General Mills was not comfortable with Mears driving under the Cherrios banner next season because his current sponsor primary sponsor is Kelloggs.

This is just the latest rumor in the on-going saga with Truex Jr. and DEI. First, it was reported that DEI picked up Truex’s option for 2009. A few days later, it was being reported that Truex was headed to Penske Racing to drive the No. 12 with UPS asa sponsor.

In May, despite all of the rumors circulating, I speculated that Truex would stay with DEI next season, at least. Then, Truex was rumored to be on RCR’s list of drivers for his fourth car.

After that, Truex was said to be headed to Stewart Haas Racing. But, i still believed that he would, at the very least, honor his contract with DEI this year. Of course, that was before his team was penalized.

Then, he was said to be finalizing a deal with DEI with Hard Rock Hotel & Casinos; joining Stewart Haas again; agreeing to stay at DEI; denying the reported extension; and fighting with DEI’s Max Siegel.

Now, he’s close to a deal with RCR. With so much stuff being reported and leaked these days, it’s hard to figure out the bull from the reality. So, I’m going to go out on a limb and still say that I think despite being linked to every team (including JR Motorsports last year the day before Dale Earnhardt Jr signed with Hendrick Motorsports) that Truex Jr. will finish his contract out with DEI next season.

After that, who knows? But, I doubt DEI, who has already lost Mark Martin, will give up Truex early.

McMurray has been involved in several rumors including being headed to the fourth Richard Childress Racing team, sponsored by General Mills, or heading to Stewart Haas Racing.

McMurray said:

Richard is looking for a driver and I’m somewhat flattered to have my name on the list that another owner would want you. But I will be in this car and not at Richard Childress Racing.

I’m surprised that McMurray is staying with Roush, if, in fact, he actually is staying. Because Roush Fenway Racing has to cut one team after the 2009 season, this doesn’t seem like a very smart move.

This silly season, there are a lot of competitive teams looking for drivers. With Roush re-signing Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards, and with Matt Kenseth being Matt Kenseth, that leaves David Ragan and Jamie McMurray vying for the last ride.

Do you honestly believe that Ragan is in jeopardy? I doubt it. That would mean, no matter how you cut it, McMurray is going to be out of a ride next season. So, why not move to another team while the iron is hot?

McMurray should consider other teams now, while there are open seats. You never know what next season may bring, but it would make more sense to negotiate now while the seats are available instead of being stuck next season.

I’m sure loyalty factors into the equation, but at the end of the day, you have to take care of number one.

No word on what that would mean for Roush Fenway Racing this season. The team has to cut from five teams to four after next season.

This comes as no surprise to anyone, as Newman has been rumored to be a candidate for every available, and unavailable, seat next season.

It’s looking like David Stremme is the front runner to be his replacement. Stremme is currently a test driver for the organization, and is said to have impressed Penske.

Casey Mears has also been considered, but he’s been rumored to be the lead candidate for Richard Childress Racing’s No. 33 sponsored by General Mills.

Martin Truex Jr. is said to be a candidate as well, but he has some legal issues to work out with Dale Earnhardt Inc. if he is to be available to drive the No. 12.

Newman says he has a few options for 2009, and has not made a decision. His options are Joe Gibbs Racing in the 20, which is said to be Joey Logano’s ride. Stewart Haas Racing and RCR are the other two options being talked about.

Where should he go? JGR’s performance this season would make that the most appealing ride. SHR would be the most intriguing, as there’s no telling how good, or how bad that equipment would be. And, RCR would be… well, RCR, a strong team.

As any driver would be, Newman is looking to contend for a championship, and all three of those options are potential championship contenders, although SHR is the least likely to contend only because there’s so many unknowns.

Still, it appears that it is a good time to be Newman, as no matter which he chooses, he should at the very least be able to win races.

Joey Logano is expected to be the frontrunner for the No. 20. 

Ryan Newman will move from Penske Racing’s No. 12 to drive the second Haas CNC car.

Office Depot and Old Spice are expected to sponsor Stewart’s car, with Jack Daniels moving from Clint Bowyer’s Richard Childress Racing No. 07 to Newman’s car.

Bowyer’s RCR machine will be sponsored by UPS, which currently sponsors Michael Waltrip Racing’s No. 44, currently driven by David Reutimann.

As Newman will vacate No. 12, Casey Mears and David Stremme are considering the two finalists for that seat. Mears, however, has been rumored to be going to RCR’s fourth car, sponsored by General Mills.