NASCAR Drivers on the Move in 2010: Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick and Casey Mears

Almost every year around this time teams, drivers, and fans start looking ahead to what kind of changes will take place before next year's Speedweeks. Questions abound about who will be driving where and for what sponsor, along with rule changes or changes among the racing organizations. Well, this year is no different.

Early in the 2009 season, the rumor mill was rather quiet as talk of the struggling economy and problems with the manufacturers dominated the headlines off the track. However, in the past three weeks the silly season has really ramped up with speculation on all types of issues. One major rule change has already come down with the double-file restart rule, but now drivers are starting to have contract talks, and the bankruptcy of GM and Chrysler have sent the Chevy and Dodge teams scattering to look for money.

First up in the Silly Season 2009 edition is possible driver moves. The driver who has been in the news the most for a possible move to another team in 2010 is Martin Truex Jr. He is currently in the final year of his contract with Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing in the #1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats car. Already this season he has been linked with two other organizations: Michael Waltrip Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing. Both of these organizations are on the rise and may give Truex an opportunity to drive a car that is consistently capable of going to Victory Lane, something that he has not been given at EGR as he currently sits 22nd in the point standings, 327 points out of the 12th place and the final spot in the Chase according to NASCAR.com.

The next hot rumor sweeping the garage area is that Richard Childress Racing is going to have to cut two of it's four teams for next year because of sponsorship problems. Both Shell and Jack Daniels, the primary sponsors on the #29 and #07 cars respectively, are looking to pull back their involvement in the Cup series most likely due to financial reasons. This is kind of a shot to the system at RCR as already none of their four teams currently are in the top 12 in points with Jeff Burton leading the way in 15th according to NASCAR.com. If the #29 and #07 did have to be shut down at the end of the year, this would leave both Kevin Harvick and Casey Mears looking for rides. However, with the economy a factor, there are not many rides to be had.

Looking ahead to places where a free agent driver may land during the offseason, the picking is slim as most of the top rides are locked up for multiple years. A move by either Harvick or Mears would likely be a step backwards from what they currently have at RCR. Again, Stewart-Haas Racing may be looking to add a third car to their stable for 2010, but nothing has been advanced past pure speculation.

The other possible opening may be left by Michael Waltrip in the #55 NAPA Toyota. Waltrip started his three car team three years ago and has David Reutimann and the #00 team in contention for a berth in this year's Chase as they are only 40 points out of 12th according to NASCAR.com. Waltrip, however, is sitting 32nd in the points and according to Yahoo! Sports has not finished higher than 20th in the final standings since 2004. Also, he said at the beginning of the season that if he was not more competitive this would be his final year as a full-time driver. Now, NAPA has been a loyal sponsor and is almost sure to stay on as the sponsor of the #55 even if Waltrip is not in the car next season. All of this adds up to an open spot for maybe Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick, or Casey Mears.

More developments like this are likely as the Silly Season progresses because most likely these will not be the only drivers looking for a new ride at the end of the season. With a rough economy and few full-time sponsors, finding a ride for the 2010 Sprint Cup Series will be as tough as ever.

"2009 Official Driver Standings." NASCAR.com.

"Michael Waltrip - Career Statistics." Yahoo! Sports