NASCAR Today: Silly Predictions, Part 1

For the past two seasons, I have posted my individually opinion-based predictions as to how silly season will play out, and for the past two seasons, my predictions have been a little off. Silly season is back in full force so I will endeavor to improve my forecasting skills.

Please keep in mind; these are nothing more than predictions by the author, not actual rumors.

Let's start with Dale Earnhardt Jr, since he seems to be all anyone can talk about these days. Earnhardt Jr and Budweiser will end up at Ginn Racing, and it will be in the #13 car. Hey, at least it does have a 3 on the side. Also, Tony Eury Jr will follow his cousin out the front doors of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Meanwhile, Mark Martin will run a full schedule in the Army car, while Regan Smith will take over the #14 ride and Sterling Marlin is hung out to dry. Marlin will either join fellow NASCAR veterans Mike Skinner, Todd Bodine, and Johnny Benson in the Craftsman Truck Series, or end up with Haas CNC Racing, or possibly the Wood Brothers. He could possibly replace Kyle Petty at Petty Enterprises.

Ginn Racing will field a fourth team part-time, which will likely be driven by developmental drivers Ricky Carmichael and Kraig Kinser. Joe Nemechek will be left job hunting. It is likely that he could end up at the revolving door at Haas/CNC Racing.

What about Richard Childress Racing? The new coalition with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. will put the brakes on any fantasy of Earnhardt Jr driving the #3, or #33. If RCR adds a fourth team in 2008, look for Scott Wimmer to be promoted from the Busch Series operation.

Who will take on the overwhelming task of supplanting Earnhardt Jr in the #8? While many foresee a Pat Tryson/Greg Biffle reunion at DEI, I am leaning towards Reed Sorenson. I am unsure as to his current contract status, but as Kurt Busch and Jamie McMurray proved in 2005, contracts can and will be broken if pushed hard enough. Sorenson has not really improved while driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, in fact, his performance has diminished in the Busch Series. It is clear that Juan Pablo Montoya is the face of Chip Ganassi Racing, and David Stremme has started to show some promise.

As for the sponsorship situation on the 8 car, your guess is as good as mine. Target has strong ties with Chip Ganassi, but does the chewing gum company? Wrigley's, Juicy Fruit, and Big Red may appear on the hood of the #8. Pat Tryson will be the crew chief.

That leaves a seat open at Chip Ganassi Racing, and with the limited choices in the Busch Series, Ganassi will scoop up J.J. Yeley, who will be canned from his gig at Joe Gibbs Racing. Taking Yeley's place in the #18 car is the currently disgruntled Greg Biffle. Biffle had a chance to drive the #11 a few years ago, but chose to stick it out with Roush Fenway Racing. However, in 2007, Biffle seems to have fallen down the totem pole at Roush Fenway. Biffle would be an ideal fit at Joe Gibbs Racing.

Jack Roush will dissolve the #16 team due to the new four-team statute that will go into effect after the 2009 season. Well, since he has a year or so before the implementation of the four-team rule, he may field a part-time team with Boris Said and Todd Kluever as the drivers.

Ryan Newman will remain with Penske Racing. However, the organization will field a third car. Despite the lack of results in the Busch Series, Penske will put defending Indy Racing League champion Sam Hornish Jr in the #02 Kodak Dodge. Hornish will attempt to successfully complete the transition from open wheels to stock cars.

To be continued...