Annett suffered the broken sternum in an accident during the season-opening Drive4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway.

Annett underwent surgery for his injuries and has spent the last three month healing. To prepare for his return, Annett began physical therapy three weeks ago.

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Almirola will in his second full-time season in the Cup Series for RPM.

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Kerr joined the team after serving as crew chief for JTG Daugherty Racing’s No. 47 team and drivers Bobby Labonte and Marcos Ambrose. Kerr also served as crew chief for Xxxtreme Motorsports’ No. 44 car, driven by David Reutimann at the end of last season.

Kerr and Gilliland worked together in the Nationwide Series in 2005.

Kerr said:

I’m looking forward to working with this young team. As an organization they’ve only been on track for a few short years, but there’s a lot of experience in the shop, in the leadership and behind the wheel. I’m looking forward to helping them continue to grow.

Lane joins FRR after stints at Petty Enterprises — now Richard Petty Motorsports — and Chip Ganassi Racing, which merged with Dale Earnhardt Inc to become Earnhardt Ganassi Racing.

Lane is returning to FRR, as he led the team’s first campaign in the Cup series in 2009, serving as crew chief for John Andretti. He also served as crew chief for Travis Kvapil in 2010, when he drove the No. 34 FRR machine.

Lane said:

This will definitely feel like a homecoming of sorts, back with Front Row and back with Ford. It was a great experience to help get Front Row’s first full-time Cup team off the ground back in 2009, and this will be a similar experience working with Josh as he expands his role with the team.

And, Jay Guy will return as crew chief for David Ragan and the No. 34 team.

Derrick Finley, who was crew chief for Gilliland since last October, will return to his role as competition director.

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Hornish finished fourth in the Nationwide Series standings, with 10 top 5 s and 22 top 10s.

Erwin also led Greg Biffle to five wins at Roush Fenway Racing, and three consecutive Chase berths before being replaced at RFR.

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Blickensderfer replaces Mike Ford, who served as crew chief of the No. 9 team without a contract. Ford is said to have been offered a crew chief job at BK Racing.

Luke Lambert, crew chief of RCR’s No. 2 Nationwide Series team and driver Elliott Sadler, will take over as crew chief of the No. 31 Sprint Cup team in 2013.

In the interim, Shane Wilson will serve as crew chief for Burton and the No. 31.

Team owner Richard Childress said:

I want to thank Drew for all of his effort with the No. 31 Caterpillar team this season. He’s a great crew chief and I can’t say enough about his dedication to RCR. Making the move now, before the season is over, gives Drew some additional time to pursue other opportunities.

The team will also continue its deals with Roush Fenway Racing and Roush-Yates Engine.

The team still plans to field two Cup teams and a Nationwide team. RPM is working on re-signing Aric Almirola and Ambrose. Michael Annett should be back in the No. 43 N’Wide entry.

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Jamie Allison of Ford said:

All the pieces are in place. We’re working on giving them the tools so they can be competitive. It’s all going to work. … We’re very close. We’re about there.

With the addition of Penske Racing to the Ford camp, there is some concern that organizations like RPM will lose some of their resources because those resources will now go to Penske.

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Ambrose will now have Mike Ford atop the pit box, while Almirola will have Todd Parrott as his crew chief.

The goal of this move is to strengthen both teams.

RPM competition director Sammy Johns said:

We’re continuing to make improvements at Richard Petty Motorsports and we’ve added talented people to our organization this season. This move is to make sure that we are using that talent to the fullest to get the best results for our teams each weekend. We feel this adjustment will strengthen the organization, allow us to continue to compete for wins and ultimately challenge for championships.

Parrott said:

Aric has really shown the desire and dedication to get his first Sprint Cup Series win. It was great our team helped lead Marcos to his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win and poles. We are now ready to help direct Almirola and the #43 team to the same results and better.

Ford said:

Marcos is a racer who has proven to win poles and races. Our goal is to take my experiences and make sure we can consistently run up front and continue to win races.

In related news, FoxSports.com is reporting that RPM officials met with people from Richard Childress Racing about becoming a satellite organization to RCR, which would mean a switch from Ford to Chevy.

Team owner Richard Petty said:

No comment on anything because I don’t have a clue what’s going on. When we get everything squared away, we’ll talk to you. Other than that, there ain’t nothing. There ain’t nothing there ’til we bring something there, and right now we have nothing.

Furniture Row Racing is said to be one of the teams considering Busch. With the team’s commitment to Regan Smith in the No. 78, it is highly unlikely that Busch would replace him. So, the most likely scenario is FRR fielding a second car for Busch.

Busch has also spoken with Richard Petty Motorsports about a potential ride. RPM could replace Aric Almirola with Busch in the No. 43, but the team seems set (and is performing) with Marcos Ambrose in the No. 9 Ford. Busch could also join the team in a third car, though that car would need sponsorship, and RPM officials would need to feel that they are ready to field a competitive third team.

Richard Childress Racing is also said to be an option, one FoxSports calls Busch’s “best option to get his career back on track.” While that is true, Busch would have to secure sponsorship, something he has been unable to do with Phoenix. It would also mean becoming teammates with Kevin Harvick. Because both are type A personalities, and both are known for their abrasive styles, they could butt heads both on and off the track. But, with a championship under his belt, RCR could be willing to take the risk on Busch.

Busch was released from the No. 22 Penske Racing team at the end of last season following several radio tirades and tense exchanges with reporters. Busch was also suspended for one race this season for another tense exchange with a reporter.

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