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[/b]Chevrolet’s contracts with its Nextel – to be Sprint – Cup teams expire at the end of the season, so it is looking to negotiate new contracts now.

As the NASCAR series approaches the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard this Sunday, the second richest (to the Daytona 500) race on the schedule, speculation is rampant about who is staying and about who is going.

Gibbs is prominent in that speculation.

Toyota is reportedly wooing Joe Gibbs more than even the Washington Redskins could contemplate.(Who knows, if he’s paid enough, he might even show up at a race, now and then.)

Reportedly, both DEI and Childress are in the Chevy camp, solidly.That means that Ginn Racing, another Chevy team, is also in the camp, as DEI and Ginn have announced their merger.That merger was, of course, the direct consequence of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. leaving DEI, which put DEI in the position of needing additional funding.Ginn had earlier made it clear that the financial commitment to the team was, if not limitless, very nearly so.The Childress team made a similar, though less visible move several years ago and Roush Racing did the same this year, becoming Roush Fenway.

All of these moves are a result of the franchise-equivalent rules change NASCAR made last year, allowing teams in the top 35 in points to have guaranteed starting slots.

Of course, Hendrick Motorsports stays with Chevy, even though it needs to be resigned.That they signed Dale Earnhardt, Jr. established that.

Chevrolet has dominated Nextel Cup racing this year, and clearly is justified in feeling that it has more to offer than other manufacturers.

However, much of the Chevrolet dominance has come from one stable: Hendrick Motorsports.Other Chevrolet teams haven’t done as well.Childress has won two races, Gibbs two and DEI one.Hendrick has won ten.

But the worst prime-time Chevy team has done better than Dodge or Toyota, and at least as well as Ford.Ford has three wins, Dodge one – the rather unusual win by Montoya on a road course – and Toyota has none.

So, it would not be surprising to see Gibbs jump to Toyota, if the price is high enough.In the Craftsman Truck Series, it took Toyota some time to become competitive, but it did so.Moreover, insiders say that the Toyota engine is one that has enormous development potential.

Part of Toyota’s problem may be its decision to centralize car [URL=http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/who-w

 

 

i would think that obviously hendrick is going to stay chevy, childress will probably stay chevy, gibbs may change to toyota, but i could see tony not being to happy about that...as for dei, they could change, but most likely will stay chevy

i dont see too many teams changing what they have, other than gibbs, thats the only one i could see changing, but then i could see stewart leaving over that

 

[*][align=center][/align][align=center]INDIANAPOLIS - Chevrolet is still negotiating with its Nextel Cup teams and a company executive wouldn't speculate Thursday how that might ultimately play out.
The manufacturer's contracts with its teams end after this season.

Dale Earnhardt Inc. is committed to remaining a Chevrolet team, DEI Vice President John Story said Thursday, and it is expected that its engine-building partner Richard Childress Racing would do the same.
But Joe Gibbs Racing reportedly is being wooed by Toyota, and Hendrick Motorsports also needs to be re-signed.
"I'm confident we'll have strong teams continuing to represent Chevrolet, not only because we've got a pretty good track record on performance but we've been dedicated to this sport for a long time" said Chevrolet Racing Manager Terry Dolan on Thursday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"I can't comment on who ultimately will represent us for '08. ... We've been actively working with our teams for some time, and we feel that we're getting close to finalizing some long-term relationships."
Hendrick Motorsports has signed Dale Earnhardt Jr.[b], who has said he plans on continuing to drive Chevrolets, for next season. But that also presents a debate on whether Hendrick should receive more GM support (not to mention who has the leverage in negotiations - is it Hendrick with Earnhardt Jr. in the fold or is it GM knowing that Earnhardt Jr. would be upset if Hendrick doesn't re-sign?).
"I don't know if he needs any more support [from us with] their infrastructure and their knowledge of the sport," Dolan said. "I don't see that affecting the level of support. We work equally with all of our teams."
Dolan said he would like to maintain the teams that Chevy has a strong, working relationship with, but it's up to the teams to make an assessment for who is right for them.
"The teams have to look back at not only the financial aspect, but they have to look at what is going to drive getting sponsorship revenue coming in for their organization," Dolan said. "Sponsors are looking for drivers and cars that can create victory. With the right model, you can do very well.
"It's up to [the teams] to make that assessment. They'll look at our offer; they may look at other options."
Chevrolet officials have to make decisions that make business sens

 

[align=center]Much left to be determined as Nextel Cup gears back up

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Ricky Rudd, guiding his car out of the pit area during practice for the Daytona 500, [/align][align=center]has yet to decide if he will return for another season. L.TODD SPENCER | THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT FILE PHOTO

By DUSTIN LONG, The Virginian-Pilot
© July 23, 2007


The cars were silent this weekend, with crew members and drivers scattered on various islands, beaches and mountain retreats.
They'd better enjoy the break in the schedule - the NASCAR Nextel Cup series won't come up for air again until the season ends in November.
By then, a champion will have been crowned. Who that will be is just one of the many mysteries to unravel during the next four months. Here's a look at some of the unresolved issues heading into NASCAR's long home stretch - and how they might play out:
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Joe Gibbs Racing to Toyota?
Gibbs officials are mum on this, except to note their Chevrolet contract ends after this season - as it does for all the other top Chevy teams.
Gibbs could be the only major team to leave Chevrolet. The auto manufacturer won't lose Hendrick Motorsports - not with Dale Earnhardt Jr. heading there next season. Richard Childress Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. have merged their engine programs, so they'll stay. That means Gibbs will be no better than No. 2 on Chevy's list and could be third or fourth if the other teams rise.
This might be the best time to make a move. The series will run the Car of Tomorrow in every race next season, so all the car bodies will be about the same. Making the switch to a different car brand might not be as difficult as in other years. It would just be a matter of building new car bodies.


So, why would a championship-caliber team join Toyota? Although the results might dip next year, the belief in the garage is that Toyota will become a power. If Gibbs made a move, it would come down to where the manufacturer could help take the team in three to five years, not next year.

Dale Jr. and No. 8
Tattoo parlors all over are paying close attention to this issue.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. won't have Budweiser as his sponsor, and he may not have his No. 8 with him, either. He wants the number, saying it was his grandfather's and carries meaning to him.
Of course, the No. 8 without Earnhardt doesn't have much meaning, so it would make sense for DEI to give Hendrick the number for some cash or a percentage of the souvenir sales. That way, DEI can give its new driver a new number and not have the specter of Earnhardt hanging over the team.

DEI's new driver?
DEI officials want to get this done by the end of the month, but it might not happen that fast. Also lingering is the question of whether Budweiser will remain with the team or not.
First things first: What about the new driver? DEI executive Max Siegel wants to build a driver's image and can do so through his music industry experience. He has the connections to make the new hire a star off the track.
A young driver fits this mold, making free agent Kyle Busch the favorite. DEI also has made strides to improve its performance. Combine success on the track with Siegel's marketing plans and this could be a prime ride for a driver under 30.

What will happen at Evernham Motorsports?
[b]Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett should soon final

 

With all this contract BS going on I think NASCAR needs to actually make a 3rd league just for Stock Cars. What is raced on Sunday you can buy on Monday.

 

amen intimidator d00d and josh i agree i think gibbs is tryin to make tony leave his team and going import is what'll do it i belive