The NASCAR silly season dominoes are about to fall.
Truth- Brian Vickers has grown wearisome of the mediocre performances from himself and the #25 Hendrick Motorsports team. He will seek another ride for 2007.
Rumor- Brian Vickers may supplant Dale Jarrett at Robert Yates Racing, or become the face of Toyota's Red Bull Racing. Chip Ganassi Racing could possibly be the locality of Vickers in 2007.
Truth- Casey Mears has decided to leave Chip Ganassi Racing at year's end, despite having a career year.
Rumor- Casey Mears may join his California buddies Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon at Hendrick Motorsports as the replacement for the departing Brian Vickers. Mears could join Robert Yates Racing, or a Toyota team.
Truth- Jeremy Mayfield is under contract with Evernham Motorsports through 2008. Mayfield is enduring his worst season since joining Evernham Motorsports in 2002.
Rumor- It's likely that Jeremy Mayfield could seek other opportunities such as a ride with Bill Davis Racing's Toyota fleet, which was a rumor floating around a couple of weeks ago. With the Chip Ganassi Racing ride available, Mayfield would be the suitable driver for the #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge, as Ganassi is in dire need of a veteran driver to complement his young guns David Stremme and Reed Sorenson.
Truth- Elliott Sadler has stated that he will stay with Robert Yates Racing, despite the conspicuous struggles.
Rumor- With several top-notch rides unoccupied and not as many capable drivers to fill them, Sadler may be coaxed into to taking advantage and pursuing a ride with Hendrick Motorsports, or Chip Ganassi Racing, or one of the Toyota organizations.
Truth- Ricky Rudd is taking the 2006 Nextel Cup season off, and has yet to commit himself to a decision for 2007. Ricky Rudd is a hot commodity, despite the fact that he is a veteran driver closing in on his half-century birthday. The talent pool has dwindled, so old-schoolers like Rudd and Bill Elliott have become appealing to organization heads.
Rumor- Rudd could be lured back into the sport by a Toyota team such as Bill Davis Racing or Red Bull Racing.
Truth- Jeff Gordon has become synonymous with the #24, DuPont, Chevrolet, and Hendrick Motorsports.
Very Far-Fetched Rumor- If Jeff Gordon misses the NASCAR Nextel Cup Chase for The Championship again, and Jimmie Johnson continues to dominate Hendrick Motorsports, is it implausible to think that Gordon may somehow get out of his lifelong contract, and reunite with his buddy Ray Evernham as driver of the #19 Dodge, if Jeremy Mayfield bolts? Now that would be a monumental career change, probably the most notable since Richard Petty left Petty Enterprises to join Mike Curb in 1984.
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