Official 2012 NASCAR Thread

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GoJPM!

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Dec 5, 2011 7:37 PM
Red Bull is kaput.

Hard to see anything better than mid-pack for Busch, at this point. Only if Penske were to poach a top guy from another team then that would be his best shot at a frontline drive. However don't see that happening. Could see him in Kyle Busch Motorsports though if sponsorship can be found. That won't be easy with Kurt's lousy attitude and behavior.
Dec 5, 2011 7:37pm
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

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Dec 5, 2011 8:22 PM
I think Red Bull will be around, but as sponsors. I'm sure some investors will step up.

It sounds like Ragan is a lock, so there won't be any open rides from Penske picking anyone up.
Dec 5, 2011 8:22pm
GoJPM!'s avatar

GoJPM!

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Dec 5, 2011 10:55 PM
Red Bull is looking for investors but it's a tough sell in a tough economy so I would be surprised to see them in '12.

Ragan is not a Penske-type guy. He doesn't make a lot of waves, that's the only upside he has. Hornish, in the Nationwide Series, was finally getting a hang of the cars and type of racing at the end of this past season and he is still under contract Penske, AFAIK. If not Hornish, Trevor Bayne and Landon Cassill are intriguing options (though Bayne might be locked to Roush/Wood Brothers).
Dec 5, 2011 10:55pm
Speedofsand's avatar

Speedofsand

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Dec 5, 2011 10:59 PM
Ragan was in the Snowball Derby yesterday too, he did a good job. I think he had one little problem that lost him 2 or 3 laps. Ross Kenseth was 3rd.
Dec 5, 2011 10:59pm
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Terry_Tate

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Dec 5, 2011 11:06 PM
GoJPM!;1003692 wrote:Red Bull is looking for investors but it's a tough sell in a tough economy so I would be surprised to see them in '12.

Ragan is not a Penske-type guy. He doesn't make a lot of waves, that's the only upside he has. Hornish, in the Nationwide Series, was finally getting a hang of the cars and type of racing at the end of this past season and he is still under contract Penske, AFAIK. If not Hornish, Trevor Bayne and Landon Cassill are intriguing options (though Bayne might be locked to Roush/Wood Brothers).
If they get Landon Cassill I'm going to be so pissed when both of them are outrunning Earnhardt, Jr. considering Hendrick had both at one point.
Dec 5, 2011 11:06pm
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GoChiefs

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Dec 5, 2011 11:15 PM
GoJPM!;1003692 wrote:Red Bull is looking for investors but it's a tough sell in a tough economy so I would be surprised to see them in '12.

Ragan is not a Penske-type guy. He doesn't make a lot of waves, that's the only upside he has. Hornish, in the Nationwide Series, was finally getting a hang of the cars and type of racing at the end of this past season and he is still under contract Penske, AFAIK. If not Hornish, Trevor Bayne and Landon Cassill are intriguing options (though Bayne might be locked to Roush/Wood Brothers).

I don't think it was a coincidence that Ragan was released from his contract this morning too
Dec 5, 2011 11:15pm
Speedofsand's avatar

Speedofsand

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Dec 6, 2011 11:21 AM
Its been known a for months that Roush has no 2012 money for Ragan's team and David has been looking.

Blaney is probably out of the 36 because TBR is broke and sponsors will dictate who the driver is.

......................................
GRAND-AM fans will get a look at the future Tuesday and Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway in a two-day Rolex SportsCar Series test in preparation for the 50th Anniversary Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Four Corvettes are among the seven Daytona Prototypes entered, including three making their public debut. GT has a strong, 23-car turnout, including three new Ferrari F458 Italia Grand Ams, the American testing debut of the Audi R8 GRAND-AM, two Ford Mustangs and a Dodge Viper. The cars will make their competition debut at the 2012 Rolex Series season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 28-29.
Mike Waltrip is in one of the Ferrari F458's.
Dec 6, 2011 11:21am
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GoChiefs

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Dec 6, 2011 12:15 PM
Speedofsand;1004167 wrote:GRAND-AM fans
They exist???? :confused:
Dec 6, 2011 12:15pm
Speedofsand's avatar

Speedofsand

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Dec 6, 2011 2:01 PM

www.raceshotsresource.com awesome pics
Dec 6, 2011 2:01pm
Speedofsand's avatar

Speedofsand

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Dec 6, 2011 2:05 PM
Dec 6, 2011 2:05pm
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

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Dec 6, 2011 2:07 PM
Bant. That's not NASCAR. :)
Dec 6, 2011 2:07pm
Speedofsand's avatar

Speedofsand

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Dec 6, 2011 2:19 PM
Anything at Daytona is overall relevant to Nascar. Except these headlights are not decals.

Dec 6, 2011 2:19pm
GoJPM!'s avatar

GoJPM!

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Dec 6, 2011 10:43 PM
GoChiefs;1003714 wrote:I don't think it was a coincidence that Ragan was released from his contract this morning too
Ragan has known for over a month he wasn't going to be back with Roush next season. He was in Vegas at the SEMA show talking to everyone about next season. He was entertaining a possible gig in Nationwide in '12 if money could be found. He's pretty adamant that he won't be a start and parker in '12 in the Cup series.
Dec 6, 2011 10:43pm
GoJPM!'s avatar

GoJPM!

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Dec 6, 2011 10:47 PM
Eddie Cheever helped broker the deal that is bringing the Ferrari's F458s over here next season. Think he is planning on co-driving one in the 2012 Rolex 24, maybe with his kid, Edward the III.
Dec 6, 2011 10:47pm
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

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Dec 6, 2011 10:58 PM
GoJPM!;1005040 wrote:Ragan has known for over a month he wasn't going to be back with Roush next season. He was in Vegas at the SEMA show talking to everyone about next season. He was entertaining a possible gig in Nationwide in '12 if money could be found. He's pretty adamant that he won't be a start and parker in '12 in the Cup series.

Yeah I know, it was pretty much a gimme once UPS announced they weren't returning.
Dec 6, 2011 10:58pm
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GoChiefs

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Dec 7, 2011 7:24 PM
Mike Ford is out as the Crew Chief for the #11. Darrian Grubb is an expected replacement.
Dec 7, 2011 7:24pm
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Speedofsand

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Dec 7, 2011 11:04 PM
[video=youtube;ehSSX7DNevQ][/video]
Dec 7, 2011 11:04pm
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

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Dec 8, 2011 11:31 AM
Red Bull Racing is closing the doors today, presumably for good.
Dec 8, 2011 11:31am
coyotes22's avatar

coyotes22

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Dec 9, 2011 5:14 PM
GoChiefs;1007171 wrote:Red Bull Racing is closing the doors today, presumably for good.
Bout time!!!

Now, if Toyota would just do the same!! :D
Dec 9, 2011 5:14pm
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GoChiefs

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Dec 9, 2011 6:23 PM
LOL, Kurt Busch is meeting with Phoenix Racing about driving the #51 Chevy next season. James Finch had a deal in place with Ragan pending on whether or not he "found a better deal".

My favorite part:
Finch said Busch's behavior that led to what was described as a "mutual'' split with Penske Racing wouldn't discourage him from hiring the 2004 Cup champion. He also said he wouldn't tolerate Busch's sometimes volatile behavior. "Kurt, his talent is pretty good,'' Finch said. "He's one of the best there is, but I'm not going to listen to that s--- and pay him money."

Busch bitched so much about the equipment he had at Penske? Then contacts Phoenix Racing to drive for them? Ummm, OK.
Dec 9, 2011 6:23pm
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

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Dec 9, 2011 6:24 PM
Grubb has been officially named the Crew Chief for the #11 car next season.
Dec 9, 2011 6:24pm
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Speedofsand

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Dec 18, 2011 10:51 AM
Last week's news...Zippy leaves Gibbs for Smoke as competition director.

ARCA testing over 50 cars this weekend. Top speeds are 188mph.
Dec 18, 2011 10:51am
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coyotes22

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Dec 18, 2011 3:26 PM
Did I miss the reason why Grubb was let go?
Dec 18, 2011 3:26pm
GoJPM!'s avatar

GoJPM!

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Dec 18, 2011 4:26 PM
Zippy going to crew chief The Danica in her Cup races next season.

Kurt Busch to RPM in the 43? Best Buy leaving RPM to go to the 17 and Kenseth? Maybe no Kurt Busch in the 43? Bye bye AJ Allmendinger, hello Indy Cars?
Dec 18, 2011 4:26pm
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Speedofsand

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Dec 21, 2011 12:38 AM
Ford Riley DPG3 was here Monday & Tues. , Michael Shank Racing #60 from Pataskala

Dec 21, 2011 12:38am