Who Will Be New No. 1 at Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing?

Evan Oslund — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:57:46 -0400

If you've read my last article, you see that I fully anticipate Martin Truex, Jr. leaving Earnhardt-Ganassi for greener pastures over at Michael Waltrip Racing.

So this move leaves the No. 1 car open, with majority sponsorship from Bass Pro Shops.

I've heard talk that Bass Pro could leave and follow Truex wherever he goes. This doesn't seem feasible.

Bass Pro Shops is signed as a sponsor through 2010, with a 2011 option.

The feel-good story for everybody would be the resurrection of the No. 8, which I see happening regardless, with Aric Almirola behind the wheel.

This would make the most sense, considering Almirola knows the shop, knows the cars, knows the people, knows the races, knows the organization, knows the other drivers, knows the pressure, knows the...

You get my point.

But will Bass Pro be ready and willing to sponsor an up-and-comer like Almirola?

God, do I hope so. I think everybody hopes so.

Almirola is a very likable guy, with a lot of prowess about him. He has tremendous potential and will drive the wheels off anything you give him, and he is of Cuban decent, giving NASCAR another international man, oddly enough on the same team.

With solid sponsorship and a committed team behind him, he is poised for a break-out season.

Another option is the reincarnated-from-my-last-article Bryan Clauson, who races midget cars after his ousting from Ganassi at the beginning of this year.

But does Clauson want to go back racing for Ganassi?

After Chip promised him a full-time ride in the Nationwide series in 2009 with sponsorship for a run at a title, Ganassi and DEI merged, showing the pink slip to Clauson, as well as Kyle Krisiloff, when the whole Nationwide team folded at the beginning of this year.

But to be honest with you, I wouldn't turn down a fully sponsored Cup ride while I'm trying to rebuild my status as a racer in it's highest form.

Also, back to Bass Pro. Would they be willing throw their dollars at a virtually untested 21-year-old driver at NASCAR's highest level? That's virtually unheard of!

Oh wait, The Home Depot already did that.

So strange things can always happen...

While these two seem like the most feasible choices, Ganassi could go with a veteran to keep the sponsors happy and to keep the cars in tact until GM rebuilds itself.

Hello Elliott Sadler.

And now, my prediction for who will drive the No. 8 at EGR in 2010:

Aric Almirola.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you have enjoyed your stay.

Michael Waltrip Has Options For His Cars In 2010

Evan Oslund — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:09:35 -0400

(OK, let me start this off with how I am a rookie writer, so please don't laugh at me too badly. Thank you.)

Michael Waltrip has many options for his 2010 driver line-up.

No one anticipates Mikey returning for a full season, including myself, and I have joined the bandwagon in saying Martin Truex Jr. will drive the No. 55 for MWR in 2010 with NAPA Auto Parts sponsorship.

That's a pretty sold deal. But what's left for Waltrip?

I may be going out on a limb here, but Toyota is still throwing mad amounts of cash at this team, and I anticipate a fourth part-time team starting up with hopes of going full-time in the future.

Waltrip will drive this car (rumored No. 30) at Daytona and other races he chooses, possibly with NAPA sponsorship, like what Mark Martin did at Ginn.

The difference is that Waltrip has the power to decide who will drive beside him.

But who?

Scott Riggs and Patrick Carpentier are options.

Riggs has avidly expressed his desire to be competitive, which is possible at MWR. He also has said he only wants a full-time entry after being kicked out at Stewart-Haas and also running at Tommy Baldwin Racing.

A full-time ride is not available at MWR—yet—and he becomes less and less of a commodity as the years go by.

The difference with Carpentier is that he will race anywhere, anytime, for any length of races.

He has that passion, which makes him desirable for potential suitors. And after his 11th-place finish at Infineon, he stock rose.

Other options are those in the Nationwide Series, such as Kelly Bires, Scott Lagasse Jr., Bryan Clauson, and Brad Coleman.

All are options for part-time developmental contracts. Any of which are possible.

And of course there are two blatantly obvious drivers who could also find seat time here: Trevor Bayne and Ryan Truex.

If these two run, don't except more than one or two races a piece. They both need a lot more development, and Waltrip as the business manager would not thrust these two into Cup without proper training.

Even if it means the Truex's racing together on the same team a lot sooner than people expect.

What you've all been waiting for...

My prediction for the 2010 Michael Waltrip Racing (including JTG-Daugherty) line-up:

No. 00: David Reutimann
No. 47: Marcos Ambrose
No. 55: Martin Truex Jr.
No. 30: Michael Waltrip w/ Kelly Bires & Bryan Clauson. Patrick Carpentier will drive this car in the road races.

Who knows if this will happen? Only time will tell.

(I hope you have enjoyed my first article, and I hope you continue to read. Thank you.)

Bleacher Report - Articles by Evan Oslund

Who Will Be New No. 1 at Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing?

Michael Waltrip Has Options For His Cars In 2010