NASCAR’s Biggest Fan - Ron Ripple

Rumor: Tony Stewart is joining Haas/CNC next year!

I mentioned earlier in the year we heard some rumors Tony Stewart was entertaining an offer Haas/CNC made him in regards to joining the team.  Well the rumors may be facts… Tony Stewart has been granted a release from his 2009 contract with Joe Gibbs Racing and will be moving on over to Haas/CNC as part owner.  Rumor has it Tony is changing the team name to Stewart Haas Racing and plans on having a two car team. 

Rumor: Ryan Newman is going to drive for Stewart Haas Racing! 

 Who would be the possible two car team with Tony Stewart?  Ryan Newman… rumor has it Ryan Newman is also joining Tony Stewart in his venture and plans on leaving Penske for good.  Tony Stewart would be sponsored by Olde Spice and Office depot, Ryan Newman is looking to get sponsored by Jack Daniels.  The two would make an incredible team and eventually become a power player.

Rumor: Newman leaving the #12, Stremme will be replacement!

If the rumors are true and Ryan Newman plans on joining forces with Tony Stewart in the 2009 year, who will take the #12 spot with Penske?  The rumor on the street is Stremme is a good possibility for jumping behind the wheel.  Stremme is a strong racer and deserves to be running up front with a strong team.  Chip Ganassi made the mistake of replacing Stremme with Dario Franchitti which we now know was a HUGE mistake.  I’m not so sure how true this rumor will be, especially since he’s been testing with three different teams. 

 Rumor: Martin Truex Jr. received stiff penalties!

Martin Truex Jr. and the DEI car was rumored to have an illegal roof after they failed the Daytona inspections at the Coke Zero 400.  Well the Rumors are true!  Truex received an extremely stiff penalty yesterday for their car failing to fit the roof template.  Truex was docked 150 points which dropped him from 14th place to 18th place in the Sprint Cup standings and hurting his chances of making the chase.  He is now 238 points from Tony Stewart and only 4 races away from getting to into the chase.  I hate to admit it but the kids chances are gone!  Unless he trades bodies with Kyle Busch and puts a Nitrous bottle in the car… I don’t see him winning the next 4 races.

Rumor: Is Teresa Earnhardt stepping down from DEI?

Rumor on the street is Teresa Earnhardt has enlisted Bear Stearns and Co to help find a wealthy investor or buyer to step in and help with the financials.  If you want my opinion Teresa Earnhardt has destroyed DEI from ever becoming a big player in the sport.  The reason why DEI was created was so that when Dale Earnhardt retired or kicked the can, his kids would have a strong team to race for.  Well obviously that didn’t happen and Teresa lost the heart of the team, that being Dale Earnhardt Jr.

 The Rumors are spreading… Man I love NASCAR!

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I got a chance to talk to Dale Jr. last night about the Memorabilia issue that was going on and he told me that he’s not very happy.  Supposedly his old race shop (DEI & Richard Childress) took his memorabilia off the walls throughout the whole shop and removed a number of his cars from the show floor.  Initially when Jr heard about this he brushed it off and tried to ignore it, but since he’s had time to think about it, he’s extremely frustrated.  Dale Earnhardt Jr explained it was a low blow to not only him but also his team.  They worked their butts off to get him his Daytona 500 win as well as his Busch Series Championships.  The sad part is that his old team still works for DEI and has to just pretend like it’s no big deal. 

In defense to DEI, they tried to explain to the press that the only reason why they moved his cars from the show room was to make room for the luncheon everyone attended.  They also made it clear that they dedicate over half the show room to Dale Jr and the only reason why they took his merchandise out of the gift shop was because he no longer races with them and they don’t have a contract with Budweiser. 

Maybe this little issue got blown way out of proportion.  The only question I want to know is if Ricky Bobby’s autographed photo is still on the wall.  (I don’t know if you remember, but in the movie Talladega Nights Dale Earnhardt Jr. walks up to Ricky Bobby and asks him for his autograph)

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