[BiscuitMan]

This was lifted from Jayski's this morning:

Rusty Wallace and Ryan Newman never were pals when they competed as teammates at Penske Racing. Now, the two men have a major difference of opinion over the circumstances of Newman's departure from the No. 12 Dodge at the end of this season. Newman has said repeatedly that he and team owner Roger Penske discussed his situation a few weeks ago when Newman decided he wanted to move on. Wallace insinuated on Friday that Newman was fired. "I'll clear this leaving thing up," Wallace said. "He didn't leave. Roger called Ryan up to his office and said, 'I don't need your services next year.' Ryan didn't come to him and say he's leaving. You all need to write that. That's exactly how it went down. Obviously, there was some bad blood there when that happened. I love Roger, so I'm going to help clear up the story for him."

However, in a clarifying statement shortly thereafter, Penske said: "I have read Rusty's comments and it is important for everyone to understand that I did not fire Ryan. His contract runs though 2008 and we sat down and agreed that we were not going forward beyond this year." Newman was told about Wallace's comments about an hour later. "I don't know what Rusty is trying to prove, but that's not the case," Newman said. "Roger and I agreed not to continue our association. If anything, it was me more than him. Our goals didn't align." Wallace, now a broadcaster for ESPN, was Newman's teammate from 2002 through 2005. Their relationship was strained during most of those four seasons.(ESPN.com)

AND Newman said Friday at Indy that it wasn't the case, that Roger and he decided mutually not continue.

So, what is Rusty's beef?

It looks like Rusty may be talking himself into a corner. Last week he was complaining about the Nationwide Toyota engines having more horsepower than his cars. So, with this latest attack, is he trying to prevent Ryan Newman from getting good offers for a ride in 2008?

[LSC9901]

Rusty has been a long time whiner. Even when he was still a driver he would whine about one thing or another. He is obviously carrying some bad feelings for Newman and will make every attempt to destroy his career.

Then there is always the other train of thought that this is some media driven drivel with no real basis to it. It's really anyones guess.

[Lefty Noob]

If Penske himself is saying this isn't true, then where the heck is Wallace coming from here?
Better watch himself or he might wind up getting sued by Newman.

[DodgeFB]

It is time Rusty moved on from his personal battle with Ryan Newman. And let Roger Penske speak for himself. I think he pays someone to speak for him when needed.

[loco4pablo]

Nobody gets FIRED and keeps thier job for the rest of the term!
If Ryan had gotten fired as Rusty said, he wouldn't be in the car right now.
Rusty is turning into a cranky ol' man

[wardfan]

typical Rusty Waaaaaaaallace.

[Bob Tanner]

I believe Rusty.

When Ryan made the statement about his unhappiness with his eqipment a couple months ago, a guy like Roger isn't going to accept that. I wouldn't. It smacks of something Jeremy Mayfield would do.

Fired? There is a clear distinction between being fired and being told, "We don't plan on negotiating your contract."

I likeNewman, a fellow Hoosier but he made his bed. Now it's time to lie in it.

[Mindwarp]

I don't know what went on, I don't work there anymore, but that's what happened.

Yep, sounds like a guy who knows what he's talking about.

How can you claim talk to Roger Penske twice a week, claim to speak for Penske yet make a statement like that above. Makes no sense.

[conwell2549]

One thing came out of it that Rusty will like. Nascar agreed the Toyota's did have a HP advantage. And the Nationwide race this weekend the Toyota have a modified restrictor plate that will even the playing field. I'm no Toyota lover and certainly not in stock car racing. But they played within the rules and if they can get more HP out of basically the same engine more power to them.LOL

Ford, Chevy and Dodge are still using the same engine design that was made in the 60's and Toyota came in 2007 with 2007 technology and is beating the Big 3 in HP. I think Toyota should be able to keep their HP and make the other cats elevate their game. But thats just my take.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Mindwarp

How can you claim talk to Roger Penske twice a week, claim to speak for Penske yet make a statement like that above. Makes no sense.

Maybe hiring and firing isn't under Rusty's job description?

I think Rusty just made a logical deduction. Ryan let his mouth overload his discretion, it p1ssed off The Captain and Roger reminded Ryan that his is under contract which must be signed by both parties in order to be valid and Roger wasn't signing his next contract.

Too bad, too. Ryan's a fellow Hoosier and he's got a butt-load of talent and even more nerve. But he aired some dirty laundry by voicing his frustrations to the media. Ca-ca occurs.

[Mindwarp]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Maybe hiring and firing isn't under Rusty's job description?

Well, if you were trying to make my point for, thank you. Wallace claimed he knew what went on and then said that he didn't know what happened. It's one or the other.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Mindwarp

Well, if you were trying to make my point for, thank you. Wallace claimed he knew what went on and then said that he didn't know what happened. It's one or the other.

I didn't hear or see the actual event, but going on what was reported, the report said: "Wallace insinuated on Friday that Newman was fired. "I'll clear this leaving thing up," Wallace said. "He didn't leave.

The key word is "insinuated." According to the report posted in the original post in this thread, Rusty suggested or implied that what he went on the describe. He never stated that "This is exactly what happened..." For the record, I don't think he was "fired" either. It's tough to "fire" someone under contract. I know, I've done it and you have to have your stuff all in one compact sock. Personally I don't think he was "fired." I think Russell's concept of being fired and mine (and The captain's) differ a bit.

Anyway, that's the way I interpreted it.

[Mindwarp]

"He didn't leave," Wallace said Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where will be help call the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard for ESPN. "I've read many, many stories that said that. Roger Penske called Ryan Newman into to his office and said, 'I don't need your services next year.' Ryan Newman didn't come to him and say, 'I'm leaving,' OK? Y'all need to write about that. That's exactly how it went down. I've never seen Roger Penske let anybody in his life go. Obviously there was some bad blood there. I don't know what went on, I don't work there anymore, but that's what happened. I love Roger Penske, so I'm going to clear the story up right now."

NASCAR.COM - Wallace: Penske, Newman split maybe not so 'mutual' - Jul 25, 2008

Sorry, I read a different report than the one posted.

[bob101]

One word for Rusty to look up, because he obviously has no clue what it means nor does he have any.

Class: Elegance of style, taste, and manner.

Rusty goes on to say "I've never seen Roger Penske let anybody in his life go."

If that's true no wonder Penske isn't doing so hot in NASCAR.

There's only 2 people who know for sure - first hand. Both of them have said it was mutual. That's good enough for me. Even if Ryan was flat fired and asked to not even finish the season it's not Rusty's place to say so. It's doubley so not his place to go on and say it in an interview and say "You need to write about that". Like he's not content to open his mouth about nothing that is his business anymore - but then to make sure someone writes about it.

Makes Rusty look rather small and petty.

[conwell2549]

Rusty is new at this media business. When Rusty was a rookie he had a big mouth. Seems age hasnt had a positive affect on his wisdom.