Ambrose will be sponsored by Stanley Black & Decker, which was rumored to be leaving to team to follow Elliott Sadler to another team. Sadler announced last month that he was leaving the team at season’s end. There have been reports that RPM is interested in bringing him back, though.

Kahne announced in April that he signed a deal with Hendrick Motorsports in 2012. But, because HMS has four drivers under contract for 2011, Kahne was left without a ride.

Speculation began that Mark Martin would be asked to step aside so that Kahne could drive the No. 5 in 2011. Martin maintained that he would be in the No. 5 next season, leading to speculation and rumors about where Kahne would end up. He signed a one-year deal with RBR last week.

Last month, Ambrose also announced that he was leaving  JTG Daugherty Racing at season’s end. At that time, he was instantly linked to RPM and the seat Kahne was vacating. Bobby Labonte was announced as Ambrose’s replacement at JTG.

With this news, RPM has two drivers under contract for 2011. Sadler is still looking to leave the team, and Paul Menard left the team to join Richard Childress Racing.

AJ Allmendinger signed a contract extension with RPM earlier this summer.

Team owner Richard Petty said:

Ambrose said:

Stanley Tools said:

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.

Kobalt Tools, a Lowe’s brand, is said to be the leading candidate to sponsor the truck series. Craftsman, a Sears brand, will not renew its sponsorship of the series.

Stanley Tools and NAPA have been rumored to be potential sponsors as well.

Should Kobalt reach and agreement to sponsor the series, it would replace Craftsman as the official tool of NASCAR. Lowe’s could also become the official home improvement store of NASCAR, replacing Home Depot.

Anheuser Acquired By InBev

Anheuser-Busch has agreed acquired by InBev for $52 billion. Under the deal, which will create the world’s largest brewer, Anheuser will receive two seats on the board of the new company. The takeover also contains a provision that requires either side of the agreement to pay a “breakup” fee of $1.25 billion if it was responsible for the breakup.

The deal shouldn’t affect the company’s NASCAR sponsorship. Budweiser has signed a multiyear agreement to remain as sponsor of the Budweiser Shootout.

Budweiser will also become primary sponsor on Kasey Kahne’s World of Outlaws team.

GM Woes Trickle Down To NASCAR

Chevrolet will not renew sponsorship agreements with two tracks that host Sprint Cup races next season. The company is also evaluating all levels of its motorsports operations.

New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway are the two tracks. GM has contracts with 12 of the 22 tracks where the Cup series races and is the title sponsor for the fall race at Richmond International Raceway. GM also is the official vehicle provider for Daytona International Speedway.

SK Telecom In Talks To Acquire Sprint

SK Telecom would solicit the help of private equity firms, which would provide the cash for the deal.

Sprint has been contemplating a sale as it struggles with subscriber losses and remaining competitve with Verizon, which recently acquire Alltel. Should Sprint decide against a sale, SK will not pursue on, sources say.