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Bowyer to Stewart-Haas? in 2017? or to HScott Motorsports? UPDATE: the biggest question is Clint Bowyer, 36, who controls his future today as much as he did when he left Richard Childress Racing to join MWR. With no apparent openings at major teams for next season, Bowyer might need a placeholder ride for a year - much like Kasey Kahne when he drove for Red Bull Racing before joining Hendrick's four-car juggernaut. After that, Bowyer would have more options. The garage has been buzzing for a few months about the possibility of Bowyer joining Stewart-Haas Racing, but to replace who? Reigning Sprint Cup champion Kevin Harvick is locked in. Danica Patrick just signed a multi-year contract extension. And co-owner Tony Stewart said Tuesday that Kurt Busch's extension will be done "soon." That could leave Stewart, who is struggling to be competitive and has his best years behind him at 44. Could Bowyer drive at SHR in 2017? SHR spokesman Mike Arning told USA TODAY Sports the team wasn't commenting "out of respect for the situation involving Michael Waltrip Racing and its personnel." In the meantime, it doesn't sound like hooking up with Ganassi for one year is an option for Bowyer if Kauffman buys into the team, as the owner stated he planned to. Kauffman said he and Bowyer "agreed we would go our separate ways at the end of the season and I wish him well in whatever direction he pursues."(USA Today)
AND Perhaps the dissolution of MWR was the ticket Bowyer needed to move on. Despite entering the first year of a three-year renewal to drive the No. 15 Toyota, a dissolution of MWR would certainly enable Bowyer to pursue others options. In fact, he and Kaufmann have already agreed to go separate ways. If the rumor mill is right, Bowyer is headed to HScott Motorsports. Richard Petty Motorsports made Bowyer an offer several years ago and is interested in him again. But this is why HMS makes sense: Despite Harry Scott Jr. playing coy at Watkins Glen, following a salmon fishing trip with Bowyer in British Columbia, multiple sources say HScott Motorports could offer Bowyer a ride until a premiere seat opens up. Bowyer has been mentioned as the heir apparent for the #14 Chevy once Tony Stewart retires.
Initially, the assumption was that Bowyer would join Kauffman in his move to Chip Ganassi Racing. However, the current plan for CGR in 2016 is to run just two teams. Bowyer's statement on Wednesday offered no indication of his future plans, other than it would not include Kauffman or MWR.(Motorsport)(8-20-2015)
UPDATE: Claire B. Lang reported on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Friday evening that Clint Bowyer would move to HScott Motorsports in 2016 and then on to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2017 to replace Tony Stewart.
UPDATE 2: Nate Ryan reported on NASCAR America Saturday afternoon that HScott Motorsports says they will remain a two car team next season and #46-Michael Annett will return. The team said they are still working on Justin Allgiaer's deal for 2016.(9-5-2015)

NMPA Sprint Most Popular Driver Award Voting Opens September 6: The National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) and Sprint announced that voting for the 2015 NMPA Sprint Most Popular Driver award will open Sunday, September 6, 2015. The NMPA Sprint Most Popular Driver award is the only major NASCAR award determined solely by fan vote. The voting period will open at 12:01am/et Sunday, September 6, 2015 and run through 11:59pm/et on Sunday, November 22, 2015. Fans can visit www.mostpopulardriver.com to cast their vote for this year's award. Votes will also be received via the NASCAR Mobile application. Voting is limited to one vote per person per email address per day. Fans are encouraged to share their votes on Facebook and Twitter. The official Twitter hashtag for the NMPA Sprint Most Popular Driver Award is #SprintMPD. Eligible drivers for the award are those who have declared to compete for the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship (drivers running for Sprint Cup Series points). The winner of this year's award will be announced during NBCSN broadcast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards on Dec. 4 in Las Vegas. A $10,000 donation will be made to the winning driver's charity of choice.(NASCAR), see info on the award and past links on Jayski.com's Most Popular Driver award page.(9-5-2015)

Kurt Busch using digital dashboard at Darlington: #41-Kurt Busch has a little bit of the new amid his car decked out with a retro paint scheme this weekend at Darlington Raceway. Busch is experimenting with the digital dashboard that NASCAR will require teams to have in 2016. The Stewart-Haas Racing driver and team, comfortably in the Chase for the Sprint Cup figured Darlington would be the best place to test the digital dash. Their car at Darlington is an older car that they're not planning to use in the Chase, so they won't have to worry about rewiring or reconverting the dashboard. The dashboard weighs a pound, and the team has worked to try to get weight out of other parts of the dashboard to compensate for it, including an entirely new steering column, according to crew chief Tony Gibson. Teams are allowed to customize what information the dash provides and how, as well as the colors and size of the displays. The digital dash is expected to be more accurate than traditional gauges. Busch was the only driver working with the digital dash at Darlington. No teams have used it in the first three races since NASCAR approved its use in early August. Busch tested with the digital dash in June at Darlington. The team thought it best to test the new display before the Chase, deciding they didn't want to fiddle with experimental equipment with the championship on the line, Gibson said. NASCAR hopes that fans eventually will be able to see the exact data each driver has on the digital dash through NASCAR's website or apps. Gibson said if tire pressures are among the data teams can access, it would improve safety as well as help drivers know whether they should pit or if they have debris on the tires that is only making them feel as if a wheel is loose.(NASCAR)(9-5-2015)
NASCAR testing restart zone at Darlington: NASCAR is testing a new design of its "restart zone" in this weekend's Xfinity and Sprint Cup series races at Darlington Raceway. Currently the restart zone, which begins at the end of Turn 4 and marks the area where the race leader restarts the race, is marked with double red hash marks and concludes with a single red hash mark. To highlight the area for fans, drivers and NASCAR officials, the area between the hash marks is highlighted with green colors from sponsor American Ethanol and the words "Go Zone." In recent weeks, several drivers have complained about what they perceive is inconsistent calls on restarts from NASCAR. The new design is currently only planned for this weekend's races.(Motorsport)(9-5-2014)
Stewart's attorney submits potential witness list in wrongful death suit: Paperwork filed by Tony Stewart's attorney Friday lists a number of possible witnesses who could testify in the wrongful death lawsuit Stewart faces and what information they could provide. The information is a part of request by Stewart's side to transfer the case from U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York to the federal court overseeing the Western District of New York. In the filing, Stewart's attorney lists individuals expected to be key witnesses in the case. They are:
John Abraham, an investigator for Ontario County (N.Y.), who took Stewart's statement shortly after the accident.
Brad Falkey, a detective with the Ontario County Sheriff's office who interviewed Stewart regarding the incident.
Kevin Henderson, Ontario County coroner who performed the autopsy on Ward.
Deputy William Martin of Ontario County Sheriff's office and is stated as being the lead investigator in the criminal investigation of Ward's death.
Michael Rago of the Ontario County Sheriff's office, the first law enforcement official to speak with Stewart regarding the Aug. 9, 2014 incident.
The motion also lists eyewitnesses and other non-party witnesses whose testimony may be pertinent in the matter.(NBC Sports)(9-5-2015)