Red Bull Racing Charges out of NASCAR, Let the Rumors Begin

It wasn't a good sign when the head guy at Red Bull Racing crossed the ocean to make an appearance at Michigan International Speedway with news that rattled the team and set off the rumors of what might happen with the teams.

Speed TV, NASCAR.com and other sources cited an AP report that Red Bull's race director, Thomas Ueberall, announced they would depart NASCAR at the end of the 2011 season.

Though he promised to support the team during the rest of this season with drivers Kasey Kahne and Brian Vickers, there has got to be a lot of people at RBR concentrating on finding a new job.

Kahne has no problems other than surviving his lame duck year with his seat at Hendrick Motorsports ready and waiting for him in 2012.

Brian Vickers is in the final year of his contract and may already be working on finding a ride with a stronger team.

It is hardly news that Stewart Haas Racing wants to expand eventually to a four-car team and Joe Gibbs Racing plans to add another team.

One option would be that the general manager at Red Bull Racing, Jay Frye, would pull together investors to take over the assets and form a new team.

Another option would be that Rick Hendrick might somehow get involved and start another satellite team much like Stewart Haas Racing.

Red Bull Racing has struggled a bit since 2007 when they made their entry into NASCAR. They are a potent force with Formula One.

So let the rumors begin, because for sure this story will be a real newsmaker with the possibilities of what will happen with the team assets, future investors, Frye's plans and where will drivers Cole Whitt with the RBR Camping World Truck team and Vickers be next season?