[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by WestCoast

Yup, the Silly Season is on.

This is my favorite line:
"They were in shock when I told them about other interested parties," Stewart said.

probably because he came to them so early in the season...

[lilsexy08]

My Stewie taking control!

[oncea3fan]

so are there any plans(rumors) for him to buy a museum(DEI)

[Team Yates]

Originally Posted by lilsexy08

My Stewie taking control!

No, no, no I'm not going to touch this!!

[lilsexy08]

Originally Posted by Team Yates

No, no, no I'm not going to touch this!!

What am I going to do with you Team! LOL!

[tbalt]

Tony will probably end up either at RCR as part owner of a team, DEI as part owner, or more then likely in the #5 car creating a unstoppable Hendrick's "4".

[jks812]

Originally Posted by tbalt

Tony will probably end up either at RCR as part owner of a team, DEI as part owner, or more then likely in the #5 car creating a unstoppable Hendrick's "4".

I don't think RCR needs him enough to give up part ownership to get him. Really don't think him or any other driver will get part ownership of DEI. I don't really see him driving for HMS either.

[Bob Tanner]

Interesting article in today's Mobile Fish Wrapper.

They report that Flipper has signed a contract extension with Roush.. No surprise there.

However, Carl stated that two teams, Gibbs and Hendrick, had been trying to recruit him? Hmmm...???

That tells me that (a) Gibbs is already trying to get a high-caliber replacement for Smoke because they figure he's as good as gone, and...
(b) Casey Mears better not be making any long-term financial plans, if he's depending on Hendrick salary to pay for them.

Another thing to consider here... How long will Home Depot be there? The guy who got Home depot affiliated with racing, Nardelli, is long gone and is now with Dodge. Plus all home improvement profits haven't been looking so good for over a year now. I've read that 84 Lumber is gone and DoItBest, Lowes and Home Depot are cutting back.

I have a hunch that, whatever Smoke's and any other driver's plans are, they are going to be a long more complicated than they used to be. (Another answer to Bette's question in another thread as to how big money will affect the sport in general)

[BiscuitMan]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Interesting article in today's Mobile Fish Wrapper.

They report that Flipper has signed a contract extension with Roush.. No surprise there.

However, Carl stated that two teams, Gibbs and Hendrick, had been trying to recruit him? Hmmm...???

That tells me that (a) Gibbs is already trying to get a high-caliber replacement for Smoke because they figure he's as good as gone, and...
(b) Casey Mears better not be making any long-term financial plans, if he's depending on Hendrick salary to pay for them.

Another thing to consider here... How long will Home Depot be there? The guy who got Home depot affiliated with racing, Nardelli, is long gone and is now with Dodge. Plus all home improvement profits haven't been looking so good for over a year now. I've read that 84 Lumber is gone and DoItBest, Lowes and Home Depot are cutting back.

I have a hunch that, whatever Smoke's and any other driver's plans are, they are going to be a long more complicated than they used to be. (Another answer to Bette's question in another thread as to how big money will affect the sport in general)

We had the same article in the local gazette here today. From previous reports J.D. Gibbs had indicated there was no way Tony would get out of his contract until the end of 2009. Now, we see a crack in the wall.

Tony has a pretty good business mind. He has been putting his money into race teams and race tracks that he truly loves. If he has a "sponsor" standing by that will up the penality for an early out, Tony may be wanting to move into team ownership. He uses some of Joe Gibbs techniques with the teams and the race track. He puts good people in management positions and lets them do their thing. I don't think we've heard the end of this story yet.