It’s been a busy “Silly Season.”
With competitive racing kicking off this weekend — even if it’s not for points — NASCAR’s top two series look a heck of a lot different than they did a year ago. There are new guys in new places, new sponsors, some new teams and a bunch of new guys who look like they should be mowing my lawn or bagging my groceries instead of driving race cars.
One of the biggest moves that should pay quick dividends actually wasn’t an off-season move: It was a move that happened before the end of the 2004 season — Jeff Burton to Richard Childress Racing. Going into their first full season in 2005, Burton and his RCR team should be able to win some races, building on what they started last year. The team changes car number and sponsor after AOL withdrew its sponsorship from the 30 team. Burton will pilot the No. 31 Cingular Chevy after Robby Gordon bolted to start his own team.
Joining Burton at RCR for 2005 is Dave Blaney with a new sponsor and a new car number. Jack Daniels comes on board as the first hard liquor sponsor in NASCAR. The car number changes from 30 to 07 for 2005. I have a feeling Blaney’s sponsor is going to help him pick up some new fans. I mean, fans can really get behind the Jack Daniels racing team. They are going to sell some hats in 2005.
Mike Bliss joins CNC/Haas in the No. 0 NetZero car in 2005. A week out of the 2005 Daytona 500, Ward Burton, the 2002 race winner, is still without a ride. Bliss is the team’s fourth driver since the beginning of the 2003 season.
Joe Gibbs Racing is building on the success of its 18 and 20 teams in 2005 by adding a new team to its stable. Jason Leffler comes aboard in his second attempt to stick in Cup full time. He will be piloting the No. 11 FedEx Chevy.
John Andretti also returns full time in 2005 with ppc Racing in the No. 14 Ford. This is ppc Racing’s first full-time foray in Cup racing after a number of successful years in the Busch Series. The team ran six races last year to get points for provisionals in 2005 (NASCAR has now changed the qualifying/provisional system so those points are irrelevant).
Randy LaJoie and Kevin Lepage will attempt to run the entire 2005 schedule if sponsorship deals can be put in place.
Robby Gordon again attempts to be his own boss in 2005. Robby Gordon Motorsports gets some help from veteran car owner Jim Smith (Ultra Motorsports) and John Menard this time around. The team will run the Fruit of the Loom Colors for nine races, the sponsor coming over from Gordon’s 2004 Busch Series effort. Jim Beam logos will adorn the No. 7 car for several races. Menards and Harrah’s casino will be associate sponsors.
Kyle Busch will pilot the No. 5 Chevrolet, taking Terry Labonte’s place, and run for Rookie of the Year. He is joined by Travis Kvapil as a ROTY candidate. Kvapil will drive for Jasper Penske Motorsports, taking Brendan Gaughan’s place, who was fired after only one season behind the wheel of the No. 77 Dodge. Eric McClure and Boris Said are also eligible for ROTY consideration, even though a full schedule is unlikely for either.
The Busch Series is even more confusing. Cup teams are using the Series for driver development. Evernham, Gibbs, Hendrick, Childress and Ganassi are fielding teams with young drivers in hopes of striking gold and finding the next Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman or Jimmie Johnson. There are currently 14 drivers eligible for ROTY in the Busch Series in 2005.
Several Busch veterans find themselves in new rides for 2005. Ashton Lewis and Jason Keller have landed with Team Rensi. Lewis will pilot the Team Marines No. 25 Ford that Bobby Hamilton, Jr. abdicated so he could move to Cup racing. Keller will be behind the wheel of the No. 35 Ford with sponsorship from McDonalds.
Greg Biffle, who will split time with Aaron Fike, and Kenny Wallace find themselves in Brewco Fords in the Busch Series. Brewco switched from Chevrolet to Ford for the new season.
FitzBradshaw Racing also dumped Chevrolet for 2005 in favor of Dodge for their drivers David Stremme and Tim Fedewa.
Kevin Harvick has branched out from the Craftsman Truck Series and will field the No. 33 Chevrolet for Tony Raines and Tony Stewart and Ron Hornaday in 2005.
Confused?
The season hasn’t even started yet. No wonder they call it the Silly Season.
Andy Cagle can be reached at acaglenc@earthlink.net.
