Lead Lap's NASCAR News » SpeedTV

RCR Will Field Fourth Car At 2010 Daytona 500

Michael J Smith — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:07:38 +0000

Layoffs have begun at Richard Childress Racing, as the team prepares to shut down its No. 07 team after sponsor Jack Daniels left, according to SPEEDtv.

A team official said that “fewer than a dozen” employees had been let go in anticipation of the closing.

NASCAR.com, however, reported that a source said:

[W]e’re still aiming towards fielding [the No. 07] car full-time in 2010. Because we have everything in place to compete with that team at a high level, we’re in a position to hold out [on layoffs] longer than we might have, otherwise and maintain all the full-time personnel we had assigned to it until early next year, at least.

RCR plans to field the No. 07 Chevy in the 2010 Daytona 500. At this point, it seems to be a one-race deal, but more races for the car could be added if sponsorship is found.

Team owner Richard Childress indicated that the team could wait until as late as mid-January to make a decision on whether or not to close the No. 07.

Casey Mears finished the season 21st in points, and the car is guaranteed a starting spot in the 500 for that reason. Mears will pilot the car at Daytona this year, unless he lands a full-time ride. Mears has been linked to Phoenix Racing’s No. 09.

There has also been a rumor that Paul Menard could move into the No. 07, bringing with him a full year of sponsorship (Menards).

RCR will have to find a crew chief to replace Doug Randolph, who recently left the team to become the crew chief for TRG Motorsports’ No. 71, and driver Bobby Labonte.

RCR says it is still in talks with several potential sponsors, and hopes to secure full-time sponsorship.

No 'Out' Clause For Bass Pro Shops, EGR President Says

Michael J Smith — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:33:39 +0000

Despite the rumor that Martin Truex Jr’s poor performance could lead to Earnhardt Ganassi Racing’s No. 1 team to lose its Bass Pro Shops sponsorship, EGR President Steve Lauletta told Hermie Sadler on SpeedTV that that sponsor is signed through 2010, and that there is no performance clause in the contract, allowing the sponsor to leave the team if its performance drops.

Lauletta also said that the EGR will meet this week to discuss whether or not the team will close down the No 8. If that happens, there’s a rumor that Truex Jr could leave the team.

Wallace To Return? To Drive For DEI?

Michael J Smith — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:35:03 +0000

Jayski is reporting via SpeedTV that there is a rumor circulating that Rusty Wallace may come out of retirement and drive for Dale Earnhardt Inc next season.

Kenny Wallace, Rusty’s brother, wrote:

All I can say is that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And he is definitely considering stepping back into a race car.

Wallace attributes the thought of Rusty returning to Mark Martin’s return to full time racing next season in Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 5.

Also, Wallace will drive Michael Waltrip Racing’s No. 00 at this weekend’s Amp Energy 500 from Talladega Superspeedway.

Mears To RCR?

Michael J Smith — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:07:39 +0000

As NASCAR practice was under a rain delay, Casey Mears was interviewed on SpeedTV. He basically talked about the time it takes to start performing well with a team and about getting a deal done with another team for next season.

If you want to read too much into it, Mears conducted his interview in front of Petty Enterprises No. 43 hauler. The team is sponsored by General Mills and Cheerios, which will be sponsoring Richard Childress Racing’s fourth car next season — a team that Mears is rumored to be going to.

At the beginning of the interview, Mears said he was “BSing” with the Cheerios guys.

Coincidence?