A Shakeup in the NASCAR Garage!

Most people know by now that as of last night,  Kasey Kahne is no longer racing for Richard Petty Motorsports.  Speculation started Saturday night during the Bank of America 500 when Kasey's breaks failed and he crashed.  Kasey then complained of not feeling well and refused to return to the car, causing J.J. Yeley to finish the race for him. After the race Kahne's team questioned him about his commitment to the team and how bad the car really was.  The next morning was Kasey's charity 5k race, which he ran in 23 minutes.  Makes you wonder if he was really sick or if he was just extremely fed up with his car, which is understandable!  This weekend at Martinsville, Kahne and Aric Almirola will be switching rides, Kahne in the Red Bull Racing #83 and Almirola in the RPM #9.  Kahne will be finishing the 2010 season and running the 2011 season in the #83 before replacing Mark Martin in Hendrick's #5.  


You're probably racking your brain thinking, 'Who else races for RPM?'  A.J. Allmendinger, Paul Menard and Elliott Sadler do.  Allmendinger is the only one coming back next year, to be joined by Marcos Ambrose, or are they?  RPM may be closing their doors soon, due to Roush Fenway Racing.  Wondering why? Well, Roush supplies the chassis, engines and technical support for RPM.  They were holding a meeting this afternoon to discuss the financial future.  If Roush backs out of the deal then RPM is out of luck!


Now for a topic my fellow Scott Speed fans and I feel pretty strongly about!  Scott drives the #82 Red Bull Racing Toyota.  I'll be the first to say he doesn't have the best finishes, but out of all the drivers, he's one of the few that try their hardest.  He doesn't let one bad finish put a damper on his mood, he puts it behind him and uses it as fuel to do well the next week.  Red Bull Racing is a team comprised of two cars.  Brian Vickers and Scott Speed originally, but since Brian's illness at the beginning of the 2010 season, Scott Speed and whoever else they could get to fill Brian's car were the two major drivers.  Kasey Kahne will be finishing the year in the #83, but what happens when Brian comes back in 2011 and Kasey's there too?  Scott has a year left with RBR, so technically he should have a ride, right?  Not necessarily.  Brian will take his seat back in the #83, Kasey definitely has a car, so what happens to Scott?  On a recent poll asking whether Scott would be kicked out of the #82, 70% said yes.  My friend Laura thinks that RBR should put in a third car for next year, let Scott keep his ride, then in 2012, after Scott's contract is up, go back to a two car team.  At this point, Kasey will be going to Hendrick, so that leaves a seat for Scott to be resigned.  

Let's keep our fingers crossed for Scott and hope that all of the drivers get rides next year!