NASCAR IS BACK! ~ Bud Shootout 2-7 8PM/Fox ~ Qual 2-8/Fox ~ Gatorade Duels Feb 12

Pete, all - here is the drivers & team chart. Thank you to Jayski LINK

KEYS

* after the # means the team is part time
? after a subject means rumor/unknown
? by itself means unknown
ROTY = Rookie of the Year Candidate
Red Type means new for this season (first full season)
A team in all red means it is a new team for this season

2009 SPRINT CUP TEAM CHART
FULL TIME TEAMS
CAR# (click # for news)	DRIVER signed thru (if known)	MANU	PRIMARY SPONSORS	LISTED OWNER	CREW CHIEF	ENGINES
CAR# (click # for news)	NOTES.................

00 [was #44]	David Reutimann 2009	Toyota	Aarons (18 races)	Michael Waltrip Racing Michael Waltrip Robert Kauffman Johnny Harris	Rodney Childers	Joey Arrington Engines
00 [was #44]	Rodney Childers moves over from the #19 GEM team to be the new crew chief (12-2-2008). Crew chief Ryan Pemberton left at end of 2008 season for Red Bull Racing(11-18-2008). Reutimann will move back to the #00 in 2009 and move the #44 owners points to the #00 team, the #00 team will become the #47 for Marcos Ambrose and get the #00 owners points. MWR will give the loaned #44 back to Petty Enterprises (10-17-2008). If the #00 doesn't get back in the top-35, would expect the #44 owners points to move over. Aaron's will sponsor the team for 18 races in 2009. UPS will leave at the end of this season and looks headed to the #6 of Roush or the #39 of Stewart Haas. UPS will not return to MWR. Reutimann is signed thru 2009 after MWR picks up the option.

07	Casey Mears 2011	Chevy	Jack Daniel's	Richard Childress	Gil Martin	Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies
07	Mears takes over this ride and is the 4th RCR driver. Clint Bowyer moves to the #33 RCR General Mills team. Childress said they would NOT move the #07 points to the #33(8-23-2008)

09	Brad Keselowski Mike Bliss Sterling Marlin Ken Schrader	Chevy Dodge	Miccosukee Indian Gaming (10 races)	James Finch Phoenix Racing	Marc Reno	Hendrick Ernie Elliott
09	Keselowski will run the Daytona 500 and nine other races in a Chevy. Bliss, Marlin & Schrader supposedly will run the other races in a Dodge (1-23-2009). Team plans to run the full 2009 season and has sponsorship from Miccosukee Indian Gaming for 10 races, supposedly Hendrick will be back as at least a part-time engine supplier in 2009 (1-22-2009). Supposedly Hendrick will not supply engines to the team in 2009.

1	Martin Truex Jr. 2009	Chevy	Bass Pro Shops	Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Teresa Earnhardt Chip Ganassi	Kevin Manion	Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies
1	Supposedly Bass Pro Shops will only sponsor a limited number of races, supposedly 23, so the team would need a sponsor for 15 races (1-12-2009). Reports have DEI and Ganassi Racing merging, being called Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, with four teams, #1-Truex Jr., #8-Almirola, #41-TBA and #42-Montoya, with the team using Chevy's. No word on what happens to the #01, #15 or #40 teams, the #01 and #15 will probably sell owners points to Yates [#15] and/or RCR [#01] (11-12-2008). Truex Jr. and DEI agree on one-year deal to stay at DEI, so Truex will be a free-agent after 2009 and unless he signs an extension will go thru this process in a year (8-8-2008). Rumors have Teresa Earnhardt is looking to sell DEI or find a partner but they were denied (7-7-2008). Truex Jr. could re-sign with DEI or move to one of many rumored teams including Penske with UPS [which looks unlikely], Haas CNC Racing if Stewart buys that team, or RCR's 4th team. No drivers rumored if Truex leaves. Supposedly Bass Pro Shops and crew chief Manion are signed thru 2010.

2	Kurt Busch 2010+ (2004 Champion)	Dodge	Miller Lite	Roger Penske	Pat Tryson	Penske
2	no changes known or rumored. Busch says he is signed for many more years, no word on exactly how many

5	Mark Martin 2010	Chevy	Carquest, Kellogg's, Cheez-It	Rick Hendrick	Alan Gustafson	Hendrick
5	Martin will run all the Cup races in 2009 and 26 races in 2010, sharing the ride with an un-named driver. Mears was signed thru 2009 but he and HMS decided to part ways after 2008. Kellogg's and Carquest will return in 2009.(7-4-2008)

6	David Ragan 2009	Ford	UPS	Roush Fenway Racing Jack Roush John Henry	Jimmy Fennig	Yates/Roush
6	UPS is the new sponsor, signing a multi-year deal with Roush to sponsor the #6 starting in 2009 (9-12-2008). Ragan has supposedly re-signed with Roush for at least 2009 (7-7-2008). AAA will leave after the 2008 season, so the team will need another sponsor in 2009. Roush needs to trim down to four teams from five AFTER the 2009 season.

7	Robby Gordon	Toyota	Jim Beam (13 races) Menard's ?Mapei	Robby Gordon RGM	Kirk Almquist	TRD
7	Will run a Dodge for the Bud Shootout then run Toyota the rest of the season and Almquist returns as crew chief (1-19-2009). Moves from Dodge to Toyota in 2009 (12-16-2008). Jim Beam signs up for 13 races as the primary sponsor (12-13-2008). Rumor has it that RGM will switch to Toyota from Dodge (12-11-2008). Rumors had Gordon possibly merging with DEI in some form for 2009 and going to Chevy but was denied. RGM used Penske engines after the lawsuit was dropped after using GEM engines all of 2008. GEM sued Gordon over not going thru with the sale of RGM to GEM, then the suit was dropped in late Sept 2008 (9-21-2008). It seems the GEM buying RGM was true, but Gordon decided not to do it and as of September 2008, GEM is suing Gordon (9-8-2008) Gordon could take on a partner and expand, or stay a one-car team. Rumor had Gillett's son buying into the team somehow but have heard nothing. No word on if the sponsors will return

8	Aric Almirola	Chevy	?	Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Teresa Earnhardt Chip Ganassi	Doug Randolph	Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies
8	May end up being a part-time ride unless a sponsor can be found (1-17-2009). Almirola could move over to the #41 and Labonte or another driver could end up in this ride (1-11-2009). Supposedly Randolph moves over from the defunct #15 team to crew chief Almirola (12-30-2008). Reports have DEI and Ganassi Racing merging, being called Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, with four teams, #1-Truex Jr., #8-Almirola, #41-TBA and #42-Montoya, with the team using Chevy's. No word on what happens to the #01, #15 or #40 teams, the #01 and #15 will probably sell owners points to Yates [#15] and/or RCR [#01] (11-12-2008). Gibson could be headed to Newman's #39 (10-21-2008). U.S. Army goes to the #39 of Ryan Newman, so the #8 will be looking for a sponsor for this car as will the the #01 (9-12-2008). Rumors have Teresa Earnhardt looking to sell DEI or find a partner but they were denied (7-7-2008). Almirola is to take over the ride full-time with Mark Martin heading to the #5 HMS team full time. The US Army, which works on one year deals, could stay or move on to another team, rumored teams include Bill Davis Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing or Red Bull Racing. No word if Steak-Umm returns or becomes a longer term sponsor.(7-4-2008)

9	Kasey Kahne 2010	Dodge	Budweiser	Richard Petty Motorsports George N. Gillett, Jr. Ray Evernham Richard Petty	Kenny Francis (team director)	RPM
9	Gillett Evernham Motorsports changes name to Richard Petty Motorsports (1-19-2009). GEM and Petty Enterprises officially merge, with the #43 coming to GEM. No known changes to this team, but All State Insurance will supposedly NOT be back with Kahne in 2009 (1-9-2009)

CAR# (click # for news)	DRIVER	MANU	SPONSOR	LISTED OWNER	CREW CHIEF	ENGINES
CAR# (click # for news)	NOTES.................

11	Denny Hamlin 2010	Toyota	FedEx Express FedEx Freight FedEx Ground FedEx Office Farm Bureau Insurance (2 races)	Joe Gibbs Racing	Mike Ford	Joe Gibbs Racing
11	No changes known

12	David Stremme	Dodge	Verizon (with no logos)	Penske Racing South	Roy McCauley	Penske
12	Verizon will continue to sponsor the team thru 2010, but will not be allowed to use its logos on the car, Verizon will also sponsor the Penske's #12 Nationwide team in 2009 (1-19-2009). Stremme named to drive the car in 2009, Alltel styas for at least 2009 (9-3-2008). Brad Keselowski supposedly turned down this ride (8-24-2008). McMurray could end up here, supposedly he is out at Roush and the #26 ride. Newman's contract is done after 2008 and in July, Penske and Newman agreed to part way and Newman will go to Stewart-Haas in the #39 Chevy. Alltel could be back for 2009 if the deal with Verizon takes longer to close, no word if Kodak will be back in 2009.

14 was 70	Tony Stewart (2002,2005 Champion)	Chevy	Office Depot (17 races) Old Spice (17 races) Burger King (2 races)	Stewart Haas Racing Tony Stewart Joe Custer Gene Haas	Darien Grubb	Hendrick
14 was 70	Burger King will be primary sponsor at Daytona in July and Dover in Sept. (1-21-2009). Grubb will be Stewart's crew chief in 2009, coming over from Hendrick Motorsports. UPS goes to Roush Fenway Racing's #6 in 2009 (9-12-2008). Tony Stewart was released from his Joe Gibbs Racing contract after 2008 on July 9, 2008 and will run the #14 with Office Depot [60%] and Old Spice [40%] as co-primary sponsors. Stewart will run #14 in honor of his hero, AJ Foyt. The 2nd team will run the #39, with Ryan Newman as the driver (8-14-2008). The the #14 will be the old #70 team and the #4 will be the #66. Stewart would have the use of the past champions provisional to use for the first five races. The team will be called Stewart Haas Racing. Stewart says the team will not expand to three in 2009. The team will get cars and engines from Hendrick Motorsports.(7-25-2008)

16	Greg Biffle 2011	Ford	3M (? races) ?DISH Network (? races)	Roush Fenway Racing Jack Roush	Greg Erwin	Yates/Roush
16	Biffle signed a 3-year extension with Roush in June. 3M will be back for three years, no word on how many races. No word if DISH Network will return in 2009. Roush needs to trim down to four teams from five AFTER the 2009 season.

17	Matt Kenseth 2010+ (2003 Champion)	Ford	DeWalt Tools R&L Carriers (? races) Carhartt (? races) USG (? races) Dish Network (? race)	Roush Fenway Racing Jack Roush John Henry	Drew Blickensderfer	Yates/Roush
17	Supposedly Drew Blickensderfer will be the new crew chief in 2009, former crew chief Chip Bolin moves back to an engineering position (12-16-2008). Kenseth re-upped in November 2008, a multi-year deal to stay at Roush, no word how long, his deal was due up at the end of 2009 (11-21-2008). Spotter Mike Calinoff returns in 2009. Roush needs to trim down to four teams from five AFTER the 2009 season.

18	Kyle Busch 2010	Toyota	M&M's (? races) Snickers (? races) Pedigree (? races) Combos (? races) Interstate Batteries (6 races)	Joe Gibbs Racing	Steve Addington	Gibbs Racing
18	No word on any changes, looks like M&M's/Snickers/Combos/Pedegree will be back for 32 races and Interstate Batteries will be back for six races in 2009

19	Elliott Sadler 2010	Dodge	Best Buy (19 races) Stanley Tools (19 races)	Richard Petty Motorsports George N. Gillett, Jr. Ray Evernham Richard Petty	Kevin Buskirk (team director)	RPM
19	Gillett Evernham Motorsports changes name to Richard Petty Motorsports (1-19-2009). Kevin Buskirk comes aboard as the new crew chief (team director)(1-11-2009). Sadler and GEM solved their differences and Sadler will be back in the car for 2009, Allmendinger heads to the #10, possibly part-time. GEM officially merges with Petty Enterprises (1-9-2009. Sources have Allmendinger replacing Salder in the car, even thou Sadler was signed thru 2010, one of the sponsors could be leaving if so (12-27-2008). crew chief Rodney Childers will leave and is headed to the #00 MWR team (12-2-2008). Rumor has GEM buying Bill Davis Racing and switching from Dodge to Toyota (10-21-2008). Sadler signed thru 2010. Diecast images indicate that Best Buy and Stanley Tools will return as sponsors

20	Joey Logano ROTY	Toyota	Home Depot Farm Bureau Insurance (1 race)	Joe Gibbs Racing	Greg Zipadelli	Joe Gibbs Racing
20	Logano named the 2009 driver August 25th, Home Depot and Zipadelli [signed thru 2009 as is Home Depot] will return (8-25-2008). Stewart released from his JGR contract and will leave after the 2008 season to buy into Haas CNC Racing and form Stewart Haas Racing and drive the #14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevy.

CAR# (click # for news)	DRIVER signed thru (if known)	MANU	SPONSOR	LISTED OWNER	CREW CHIEF	ENGINES
CAR# (click # for news)	NOTES.................

23	Mike Skinner (Daytona 500) Robert Richardson Jr.	Chevy	?	R3 Motorsports Robert Richardson Sr.	Robert 'Slugger' Labbe	?
23	Plans to attempt the Daytona 500 with Skinner and attempt the first five races of the season to try to get in the top 35 of owners points (1-20-2009). Has bought five Cup cars from DEI Richardson Jr. is approved to run on tracks 2 miles or less, the team is talking to veteran drivers for the Daytona 500 (1-9-2009)

24	Jeff Gordon lifetime (1995,1997,1998,2001 Champion)	Chevy	DuPont Finishes Pepsi (? races) National Guard (? races)	Rick Hendrick Jeff Gordon	Steve Letarte	Hendrick
24	Nicorette will not be back as an associate sponsor, National Guard will be an associate sponsor of the car and be the primary for 6-8 races. Pepsi will be the primary for 2-3 races (10-18-2008). New black based paint scheme in 2009. DuPont signed thru 2010. Gordon is signed to a long term deal with Hendrick.

26	Jamie McMurray 2009	Ford	Crown Royal Irwin Tools	Roush Fenway Racing Jack Roush John Henry	Donnie Wingo	Yates/Roush
26	Larry Carter moves over to Yets Racing and Paul Menard in the #98, Wingo moves over from Ganassi Racing (10-18-2008). Rumor had a team owner buying out McMurray's contract but it was denied (8-18-2008). At Indy, Jamie McMurray was rumored to be leaving for the #33 RCR ride, but it was denied (7-26-2008) After rumors that McMurray was looking to leave, both he and Roush refutes those rumors and both said McMurray and Crown Royal will be back in 2009. No word on Irwin Tools. Roush needs to trim down to four teams from five AFTER the 2009 season.

27	Kirk Shelmerdine	Toyota	?	Kirk Shelmerdine	?	?
27	Kirk Shelmerdine plans to attempt all the 2009 races, he bought a few Toyota's from Bill Davis Racing (1-21-2009)

28	Travis Kvapil	Ford	?	Yates Racing Doug Yates Max Jones	Ben Leslie	Yates/Roush
28	Kvapil will run the first five races of the season with no owners points as the #98 team got the #28 owners points, if not back in the top 35, the team may not run many races after the 5th. Leslie comes over from Ford to be the crew chief [but is still with Ford and is on loan] with Parrott heading to the #96 team of Bobby Labonte (1-21-2009). The news reversed, Todd Parrott will stay as the crew chief (12-10-2008). Crew Chief Todd Parrort and the team parted ways at end of 2008 season, no word on a replacement ir where Parrott will end up (11-18-2008). Looks like Kvapil will return to the #28 and Gilliland to the #38, no word on sponsors for those teams yet (10-18-2008). Menard will DEI and come to Yates, could be in the #38 or #28 or as a third team (10-6-2008). Kvapil is signed thru 2008, no word if he returns in 2009, but indications are he will. No word on sponsorship after using one-off race sponsorships in 2008

29	Kevin Harvick 2009	Chevy	Shell/Pennzoil (? races) Reese's/Hershey Foods (? races)	Richard Childress	Todd Berrier	Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies
29	No word on any changes. Harvick is signed with RCR thru 2009 and could be a hot free agent for 2010. This team was the #3 with Dale Earnhardt before he was killed, Childress has no plans to run the #3 any time soon.

31	Jeff Burton 2010	Chevy	Caterpillar ?Lenox Industrial Tools (? races) ?Prilosec	Richard Childress	Scott Miller	Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies
31	Caterpillar takes over for AT&T who has to leave after 2008 when the AT&T NASCAR / Sprint lawsuit was settled in 2007. Caterpillar moves over after a long-time sponsorship of the #22 Bill Davis Racing team. RCR adds a 4th team in 2009. No word on Prilosec and Lenox sponsorships

33	Clint Bowyer 2011	Chevy	General Mills/Cheerios BB&T (11 races)	Richard Childress Richard Childress racing	Shane Wilson	Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies
33	BB&T will be the primary sponsor for 11 races (11-12-2008). Wilson named crew chief for 2009, Gil Martin will stay with the #07 and Mears. Childress has said, they will NOT transfer #07 owners points to the #33 (10-21-2008). Clint Bowyer will move over from RCR's #07 with Mears going to the #07, Bowyer re-signed with RCR for another three years thru 2011 (8-23-2008). Truex re-signed with DEI for 2009 and Ryan Newman will be with Stewart Hass Racing.(8-3-2008). At Indy, Jamie McMurray was rumored to be coming to this ride, but it was denied. The team will move up to full time in 2009 with General Mills/Cheerios as the sponsor. Bobby Labonte was the rumored driver but he re-signed with the Petty's. Many rumored drivers

34 [was 41?]	John Andretti	Chevy	Window World (Daytona 500)	Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Teresa Earnhardt Chip Ganassi Bob Jenkins	Steven Lane Scott Eggleston?	Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies
34 [was 41?]	Andretti will run the 4th EGR car, using the #34 in an alliance between EGR and Front Row Motorsports. Getting owners points from one of the merged DEI/Ganassi teams [#01, #15, #41] and having Window Wizard for a sponsor at the Daytona 500. Lane will be the crew chief for Daytona, but unsure how the alliance will work out after Daytona (1-30-2009). Target moves over to the #42, good chance this car will not run in 2009 and will be parked (1-20-2009). Bobby Labonte went to the #96 HOF Racing team (1-17-2009). Almirola could move over to the #41 and Bobby Labonte could end up in the #8 ride (1-11-2009). Petty and GEM merged, Bobby Labonte and the team parted ways before the merger and he could end up in the #41 ride (12-5-2008). Reports have DEI and Ganassi Racing merging, being called Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, with four teams, #1-Truex Jr., #8-Almirola, #41-TBA and #42-Montoya, with the team using Chevy's. No word on what happens to the #01, #15 or #40 teams, the #01 and #15 will probably sell owners points to Yates [#15] and/or RCR [#01] (11-12-2008). Could merge with DEI, and move to Chevy in 2009. either Almirola or Montoya could get the Target sponsorship (11-11-2008) Bobby Labonte could move to this ride with Target or Target to the #43, IF Ganassi and Petty's merge (10-21-2008). Hearing Wingo could be headed to the #26 Roush Fenway Racing team (10-17-2008), Dario Franchitti will head back to the IRL in 2009 and not run in NASCAR. No word who may take over the ride, some guesses could include Jeremy Mayfield since he ran well in the #40 for a race, young Ganassi drivers Bryan Clauson or Kevin Hamlin could be considered, but sources tell me no. Dan Wheldon, who was replaced by Franchitti in the 2009 ride at Ganassi, was rumored in the past to come to Cup with Ganassi, but the PR says they parted ways, so seems unlikely. The ride is locked in the top-35, so it is a coveted ride (9-2-2008). Target is expected back in 2009. Sorenson left after 2008 and headed to GEM (8-26-2008).

36	Scott Riggs	Toyota	?Hunt Brothers Pizza	Tommy Baldwin Racing Tommy Baldwin	Tommy Baldwin	Joey Arrington Engines
36	Riggs named to drive the car for the 2009 season (1-19-2009). Baldwin announced the formation of a new Sprint Cup Series race team under the existing Tommy Baldwin Racing banner. The team will run Toyota's, plans to compete full-time and get engines from Arrington Manufacturing (1-6-2009)

CAR# (click # for news)	DRIVER	MANU	SPONSOR	LISTED OWNER	CREW CHIEF	ENGINES
CAR# (click # for news)	NOTES.................

39 [was 66]	Ryan Newman	Chevy	U.S. Army (23 races)	Stewart Haas Racing Tony Stewart Joe Custer Gene Haas	Tony Gibson	Hendrick
39 [was 66]	Tony Gibson will come over from DEI and be the new crew chief, bring along the pit crew (11-14-2008). U.S. Army will be a co-primary sponsor in 2009 and be the full sponsor for 22 races plus the All Star race, the Army supposedly signed a 3-year deal with Stewart-Haas Racing (10-9-2008). UPS, a rumored sponsor, will go to Roush Fenway Racing's #6 with David Ragan in 2009 (9-12-2008). It was announced on Tony Stewart Live radio show that Newman would use the #39 NOT the #4 (8-19-2008). Newman was announced as the driver at Michigan on August 14th, no word how long the contract is for but it is a multi-year agreement (8-14-2008). Tony Stewart was released from his Joe Gibbs Racing contract after 2008 on July 9, 2008 and will run the #14 with Office Depot [60%] and Old Spice [40%] as co-primary sponsors. Stewart will run #14 in honor of his hero, AJ Foyt. The 2nd team will run the #39. The #14 will be the old #70 team and the #39 will be the #66. Stewart would have the use of the past champions provisional to use for the first five races. The team will be called Stewart Haas Racing. Stewart says the team will not expand to three in 2009. The team will get cars and engines from Hendrick Motorsports.(7-25-2008)

42	Juan Pablo Montoya 2009+	Chevy	Target (? races) ?Big Red/Juicy Fruit Gum/Wrigley (? races)	Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Teresa Earnhardt Chip Ganassi	Brian Pattie	Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies
42	Target will move over from the #41 to sponsor Montoya, no word if Wrigley stays or goes to #1-Truex Jr. (1-20-2009). DEI and Ganassi Racing merged, being called Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, with four teams, #1-Truex Jr., #8-Almirola, #41-TBA and #42-Montoya, with the team using Chevy's. The #01, #15 or #40 teams will no longer exist and the owners points go away (11-12-2008). Could merge with DEI, and move to Chevy in 2009. either Almirola or Montoya could get the Target sponsorship (11-11-2008). Rumors have Ganassi merging with a couple different teams: GEM, Petty, DEI, BDR, no word if any will come to fruition. Texaco/Havoline will leave at the end of 2008. Wrigley will return for 19-20 races as they were in 2008. So the team needs a sponsor for half the season (8-20-2008). Montoya was rumored in mid 2008 as wanting to leave, but he said he was with Ganassi long term, the #20 car was one rumored ride, but seems unlikely. The #40 Ganassi team closed up in July 2008, no word if it will come back in 2009.

43	Reed Sorenson	Dodge	U.S. Air Force (2 races) PVA.org (2 races) Valvoline (? races) McDonalds (? Races) Super 8 (4 races)	Richard Petty Motorsports George N. Gillett, Jr. Ray Evernham Richard Petty	Mike Shiplett (team director)	RPM
43	Gillett Evernham Motorsports changes name to Richard Petty Motorsports (1-19-2009). GEM-Petty Enterprises officially merge, Sorenson named to drive the #43, supposedly the Air Force moves over from the #10 with Sorenson as does crew chief Mike Shiplett. Gillett says the team has sponsors for most of the full slate of 2009 races (1-9-2009). Bobby Labonte and Petty part ways after 2008 season, Labonte could be headed to Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and the Petty Enterprises looks like it will merge with GEM and the #43 will go there and the #44/45 team would cease to exist (12-11-2008). Crew Chief Jeff Meendering will leave after 2008 and head to Stewart-Hass in 2009 as a car chief (11-10-2008). Boston Ventures bought into PE and becomes a partner in June 2008. Labonte re-signs in June 2008 thru 2012. CAT was one rumored sponsor but went to RCR and the #31. General Mills/Cheerios leaves at end of 2008 and head to 4th RCR car.

44 [was 10]	A.J. Allmendinger	Dodge	Valvoline	Richard Petty Motorsports George N. Gillett, Jr. Ray Evernham Richard Petty	Sammy Johns (team director)	RPM
44 [was 10]	Allmendinger signed thru 2010, for 2009, plans are to run the Bud Shootout, the first 8 races and Daytona in July with hopes to run the full season (1-28-2009). The car number will change from #10 to #44, with Allmendinger running at least the first five races of 2009 and at least 7 total, more if a sponsor is found, Gillett Evernham Motorsports changes name to Richard Petty Motorsports (1-19-2009). Sammy Johns takes over as the crew chiewf (team director), Mike Shiplett moves to the #43 car (1-13-2009). GEM & Petty Enterprises official merge. Sadler stays in the #19, Reed Sorenson goes to the #43. Allmendinger is scheduled to run this car part time unless a full sponsor is found, then it could be full-time (1-9-2009). With Petty and GEM mergeing, Reed Sorenson heads to the #43, no word if there will be another driver in the #10 or if it will be run in 2009, much depends on finding a sponsor (12-31-2008). If Petty and GEM merge, Labonte could leave and come the the #41 ride with Sorenson going to the #43 and Allmendinger in the #10 (12-5-2008). Rumor has GEM buying Bill Davis Racing and switching from Dodge to Toyota (10-21-2008). Carpentier released in Oct after Talladega (10-7-2008). Patrick Carpentier told he will not be back in the #10 in 2009 (9-21-2008). Sorenson was signed by GEM on Aug 26, 2008, looks like he will take over the #10 car, the Army could be Sorenson's sponsor in 2009 (8-26-2008). GEM was supposed to decide by Aug 15th if Carpentier will return to the ride but asked for a few more weeks to decide, then Sorenson is now rumored to the ride for 2009 (8-23-2008). Newman had to been rumored to be talking to GEM but he went to Stewart Haas. McMurray looks to be out of #26 ride and could end up here. No word on sponsorship

47	Marcos Ambrose	Toyota	Little Debbies Clorox Kingsford Charcoal (6 races) Bush's Baked Beans (2 races)	JTG Daugherty Racing Tad Geschickter Brad Daugherty	Frank Kerr	Joey Arrington Engines
47	This team was the #00 of MWR and took over the owners points as of Atlanta in Oct 2008 with the goal to get back in the top 35 of owners points JTG Daugherty Racing formed a technical alliance with MWR and switched from Ford oto Toyota as of Atlanta in Oct 2008.(10-17-2008). JTG Daugherty Racing signed a "technical alliance" with MWR and will run Toyota's in 2009. The alliance includes the #47 team being housed under the MWR roof. Marcos Ambrose will drive the #47 Toyota, with sponsorship from Little Debbie Snack Cakes and Clorox and Kerr will be the crew chief.(10-1-2008). Plans to move up to full time in 2009.

48	Jimmie Johnson 2010 (2006,2007,2008 Champion)	Chevy	Lowe's Home Improvement Kobalt Tools	Rick Hendrick Jeff Gordon	Chad Knaus	Hendrick
48	No changes known for 2009. Johnson, Knaus and Lowe's signed thru 2010.

CAR# (click # for news)	DRIVER signed thru (if known)	MANU	SPONSOR	LISTED OWNER	CREW CHIEF	ENGINES
CAR# (click # for news)	NOTES.................

55	Michael Waltrip	Toyota	NAPA	Michael Waltrip Racing Michael Waltrip Robert Kauffman Johnny Harris	Robert "Bootie" Barker	Joey Arrington Engines
55	Robert "Bootie" Barker will be the crew chief in 2009, taking over for Bobby Kennedy who moves back to a management role (10-1-2008). NAPA will return for at least another full season with Waltrip. MWR could merge with Ganassi Racing and form a 4 car team, but it seems unlikely. Waltrip plans to run for a few more seasons. Office Depot was one rumored sponsor, but it went to Stewart Haas #14 car

64	Todd Bodine Larry Gunselman Geoff Bodine	Toyota	?	Todd Bodine Larry Gunselman Geoff Bodine	Doug Richert	?
64	Plans to run a full season. Unsure who will run at Daytona, Todd Bodine will be in the car at California and Las Vegas (1-29-2009)

66	Terry Labonte Dave Blaney	Toyota	Window World (Daytona 500)	Prism Motorsports Phil Parsons Randy Humphrey	Bill Henderson	Joey Arrington Engines
66	Labonte will run the Daytona 500 with Window World as the sponsor, then Dave Blaney takes over. The team plans to run the full 2009 Cup season (1-26-2009). Parsons said on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio that he intends to put a car in the Daytona 500, no word on any plans on Cup races after that (1-11-2009)

77	Sam Hornish	Dodge	Mobil 1 Penske Trucking (? Races) AAA/Auto Club (2 races)	Penske Racing South	Travis Geisler	Penske
77	Travis Geisler replaced Chris Carrier after MIS in August 2008. Have nor heard of any changes

82 was 84	Scott Speed ROTY	Toyota	Red Bull	Red Bull Racing Dietrich Mateschitz Dany Bahar	Jimmy Elledge	TRD
82 was 84	The team switched from #84 to #82 in 2009 (12-1-2008). Allmendinger left the team on Oct 2008 and Speed took over the ride for the final five races of 2008. Jimmy Elledge took over as crew chief after Daytona in July 2008. Bill Davis Racing and Red Bull could also merge but that looks unlikely

83	Brian Vickers 2009	Toyota	Red Bull Energy Drink	Red Bull Racing Dietrich Mateschitz Dany Bahar	Ryan Pemberton	TRD
83	Kevin Hamlin replaced by Pemberton for 2009 (12-1-2008)

87	Joe Nemechek	Toyota	?	Joe Nemechek	Philippe Lopez	Triad Racing Technologies
87	Nemechek bought a Toyota and plans to attmept the Daytona 500 and run the full Cup season and also a Chevy to run the full Nationwide Season

88	Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2012	Chevy	Mountain Dew AMP Energy Drink Army National Guard	Rick Hendrick	Tony Eury Jr.	Hendrick
88	Looks like Army National Guard will be on the #24 Hendrick car for eight races, no word how that effects sponsorship on the #88 (11-25-2008)

96 [was 38]	Bobby Labonte (2000 Champion)	Ford	Ask.com (29 races) Academy Sports + Outdoors (5 races) Texas Instruments/DLP (? races)	Hall of Fame Racing Jeff Moorad Tom Garfinkel Max Jones	Todd Parrott	Yates/Roush
96 [was 38]	Todd Parrott will be Labonte's crew chief, coming over from the #38 Ford along with the #38 Owners Points. Ask.com will be the sponsor 29 races, supposedly DLP will sponsor the other 7 races. Labonte signs to drive the car for 2009 (1-13-2009). HOF aligns with Yates Racing and will switch to Ford and run the full 2009 season, no word on a driver (1-13-2009). Rumors have the team selling equipment, cars and may not be running in 2009 (1-6-2009). Coleman was released from his contract and is no longer the HOF (11-1-2008). Coleman was supposed to get this ride in 2009, but after Yeley was released, he was named to drive the #96 for the rest of the season, but after one race at Michigan in August 2008, he never returned to the ride and Ken Schrader and Joey Logano ran the final races so no word if Coleman fits in HOF Racing's plans. No word if HOF Racing will still expand with a 2nd team [#97] in 2009 as rumored, looks unlikely. Troy Aikman, Roger Staubach, Bill Saunders and Mark Griege are no longer part of the ownership group, no word if they will change the team name

98 [was 28]	Paul Menard	Ford	Menard's	Yates Racing Doug Yates Max Jones	Larry Carter	Yates/Roush
98 [was 28]	The new team will use the #98 and the crew chief will be Larry Carter, moving over from Roush Fenway Racing's #26 team. The team will have no Owners points unless Yates moves them from the #28 or #38 or buys a team, such as DEI's #01 or #15 (11-15-2008). Looks like Kvapil will return to the #28 and Gilliland to the #38, no word on sponsors for those teams yet (10-18-2008). Menard will DEI and come to Yates, could be in the #38 or #28 or as a third team (10-6-2008)

99	Carl Edwards 2011	Ford	Aflac ?Subway (? races) ?Claritin (? races)	Roush Fenway Racing Jack Roush John Henry	Bob Osbourne	Yates/Roush
99	Subway could be primary sponsor for 3-4 races (8-20-2008). Office Depot leaves after 2008. Aflac takes over as the full time sponsor. Office Depot plans on staying in the sport and move to Stewart-Haas's #14. No word if DISH Network or Claritin will return to sponsor a few races. Edwards is signed thru 2011.

KNOWN PART TIME TEAMS

CAR# (click # for news)	DRIVER signed thru (if known)	MANU	SPONSOR	LISTED OWNER	CREW CHIEF	ENGINES
CAR# (click # for news)	NOTES.................

02*	?Marc Davis ?Brad Coleman	Toyota	Farm Bureau Insurance	Joe Gibbs Racing	?	JGR
02*	Scheduled to run in three races: Martinsville in Oct, Texas in Nov, Homestead in Now. with Farm Bureau Insurance as sponsor and driver TBA (1-19-2009)

08*	James Hylton	Dodge	?	E&M Motorsports John Carter	Mark Tudor	?
08*	74-year old Hylton plans to attempt the Daytona 500, no word on 2009 plans for the team after that

13*	Max Papis ROTY	Toyota	GEICO	Germain Racing	Randy Goss	TRD
13*	Plans to run 18 races in 2009. Attempted to make two races in late 2008 but failed to qualify

?15*	Marc Davis	Toyota	Howard University, WHUR, BOB-CAT	Marc Davis Motorsports	?	?
?15*	Plans to debut at Infineon Raceway, some short tracks and possibly Watkins Glen

21*	Bill Elliott (1988 Champion)	Ford	Motorcraft (9 races)	Wood Brothers Racing Glen Wood Eddie Wood	David Hyder	Yates/Roush
21*	The team will scale back and run a partial schedule in 2009, planning on running in 12 races. Bill Elliott had planned to retire for good after the 2008 season but will run in 12 races for the Wood Brothers and looks like Hyder will be back as crew chief (12-6-2008). Marcos Ambrose will move up to Cup with his Nationwide team, JTG Daughty Racing and switch to Toyota and form an alliance with MWR.

25*	Brad Keselowski	Chevy	GoDaddy.com	Hendrick Motorsports	Lance McGrew	Hendrick
25*	Scheduled to attempt seven races: Las Vegas, Texas [Apr], Darlington, Dover [May], Chicago, Michigan [Aug] and Kansas

41*	Jeremy Mayfield	Toyota	?	Mayfield Motorsports Jeremy Mayfield	?	?
41*	Has registered the #41 but will NOT get the owners points from Earnhardt Ganassi Racing (1-30-2009). Mayfield bought a Toyota and plans to attempt the Daytona 500, no word on car number or future plans (1-22-2009)

46*	Carl Long Dennis Setzer	Dodge	Romeo Guest	Danielle Long	ALex Astor	Ernie Elliott
46*	Long plans to attempt the Daytona 500 and the All Star Race in May, Setzer plans to run Martinsville in March (1-27-2009)

51*	Kelly Bires (Daytona 500) Dexter Bean	Dodge	?	Black Jack Racing	?	?
51*	Plans to debut attempt the Daytona 500, Bires will drive at Daytona and Bean at the other tracks once he is approved by NASCAR. Team plans to attempt the 1st five races and get into the top 35 of owners points (1-21-2009)

71*	Mike Wallace	Chevy	?	TRG Motorsports Kevin Buckler	Butch Hylton	Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies
71*	Looks like a one-race deal for Wallace to run the Daytona 500

75*	Derrike Cope	Dodge	?	Derrike Cope Gary Keller	Rich Markle	?
75*	Plans to attempt the Daytona 500 and hopes to run a limited schedule

78*	Regan Smith	Chevy	Furniture Row	Furniture Row Racing Barney Visser	Jay Guy	?
78*	Regan Smith is rumored to be the driver for the team (12-28-2008). Joe Nemechek had been signed thru 2010, but was bought out after the 2008 season as the team goes to a part time schedule (11-21-2008). Plans to run a limited scheduled in 2009, the race planned have not been announced and may week race-to-race. Nemechek is supposedly signed thru 2010

TEAMS WITH UNKNOWN STATUS or CLOSED/SUSPENDED OPERATIONS

CAR# (click # for news)	DRIVER signed thru (if known)	MANU	SPONSOR	LISTED OWNER	CREW CHIEF	ENGINES
CAR# (click # for news)	NOTES.................

?	?	Toyota	?	Michael Waltrip Racing Michael Waltrip Robert Kauffman Johnny Harris	?Bill Pappas	TRD
?	Reutimann will move back to use the #00 in 2009 and move the #44 owners points to the #00 team, the #00 team will become the #47 for Marcos Ambrose and get the #00 owners points [this happened in Atlanta in Oct 2008 (10-24-2008). Supposedly MWR will give the loaned #44 back to Petty Enterprises (10-17-2008). Looks like MWR moves back to two team and forms a techincal alliance with JTG Daughtry Racing to support three cars. MWR could run a 4th team part-time for Michael McDowell and/or Josh Wise, but McDowell's contract was not picked up for 2009

01	X	Chevy	?	DEI Teresa Earnhardt	X	Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies
01	Former crew chief Dan Stillman heads to Roush Fenway Racing to crew chief Edwards in the Nationwide Series (12-18-2008). DEI and Ganassi Racing will merge and become Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, with four teams, #1-Truex Jr., #8-Almirola, #41-TBA and #42-Montoya, with the team using Chevy's. The #01, #15 and #40 teams will go away and supposedly NASCAR will NOT allow the #01 and #15 owners points to be sold or moved to another team (11-12-2008). Rumors have Teresa Earnhardt is looking to sell DEI or find a partner (7-7-2008). Unsure of plans with the team or Smith. Rumors had it being shut down without a sponsor in 2008, but those rumors were refuted.

02*	Brandon Ash	Dodge	Sprinter Trucking	Ed Ash	Kenneth Wood	?
02*	Nor sure on 2009 plans, typically runs the west coast races like Las Vegas, Phoenix, Infineon Raceway and California

4*	?	Chevy	?	Morgan-McClure Larry McClure Tim Morgan	?	Ron Puryear
4*	no word on 2009 plans with Larry McClure legal problems - taxes.

15	X	Chevy	X	Dale Earnhardt Inc Teresa Earnhardt	x	Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies
15	DEI and Ganassi Racing will merge and become Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, with four teams, #1-Truex Jr., #8-Almirola, #41-TBA and #42-Montoya, with the team using Chevy's. The #01, #15 and #40 teams will go away and supposedly NASCAR will NOT allow the #01 and #15 owners points to be sold or moved to another team (11-12-2008). Paul Menard leaves DEI and takes sponsor Menard's to Yates Racing (9-29-2008). No word who would take over the #15 or if it will close up. Rumors have Teresa Earnhardt is looking to sell DEI or find a partner (7-7-2008).

22*	?	Toyota	?	Marty Gaunt Mike Held Bill Davis Triad Racing Technologies	?	Triad Racing Technologies
22*	The team may opt not to run the Daytona 500 or any races in 2009 and concentrate on their engine and chassi business (1-19-2009). Looks like Dave Blaney is headed to the new Tommy Baldwin team, no word who will drive the #22 (1-7-2009). Triad Racing Development, with Marty Gaunt and Mike Held are the new majority owners buying Bill Davis Racing Cup and Truck teams, Bill Davis will be available as a consultant, no word on the fate of driver Dave Blaney (12-21-2008). Rumor has GEM buying Bill Davis Racing and switching from Dodge to Toyota (10-21-2008). U.S. Army was rumored, but went to the #39 Stewart Haas Racing team. Caterpillar leaves to go to the #31 RCR team and Jeff Burton in 2009. No word on a new sponsor or if Blaney will return. BDR could also merge with Red Bull Racing

38	?David Gilliland	Ford	?	Yates Racing Doug Yates Max Jones	?	Yates/Roush
38	The #38 owners points go to the #96 team with Bobby Labonte, crew chief Todd Parrott also goes over. Looks like this team will not run in 2009 and Gilliland needs a ride (1-19-2009). Crew Chief Cully Barraclough left at end of the season, he goes back to Roush, as a car chief on the #26 (12-9-2008). Looks like Kvapil will return to the #28 and Gilliland to the #38, no word on sponsors for those teams yet (10-18-2008). Menard will DEI and come to Yates, could be in the #38 or #28 or as a third team (10-6-2008). Gilliland is supposedly signed to stay thru 2009, no word on sponsorship. Supposedly Yates wants to start another team or two and may absorb the 5th Roush team after 2009, no word which team that may be

40*	x	x	x	?Chip Ganassi Felix Sabates	x	?Ernie Elliott
40*	The team closed down after New Hamsphire in June 2008 and after DEI and Ganassi mergered, nothing mentioned about the #40 team, but they have fours teamsnow, so the #40 looks to be done (11-13-2008). Franchitti will go back to the IRL with Franchitti.(7-1-2008)

45*	?Kyle Petty	Dodge	X	Boston Ventures David Zucker Petty Enterprises	X	X
45*	Team merges with GEM and becomes Richard Petty Motorsports, this ride goes away and Petty is looking for a part time ride elsewhere (1-19-2009. With the Petty and GEM merger, this team will go away and no longer run. No word on Kyle Petty's or Chad McCumbee's 2009 plans. Crew chief Stewart Cooper is no longer with the team. Looks like Kyle Petty is not in Petty Enterprises plans for 2009 unless it is a part time deal, but Petty seems pretty bitter about the situation. Supposedly sponsor Wells Fargo could stay with Petty and move to DEI or another team in a part time ride. PE has been rumored to numerous mergers, DEI, Ganassi, BDR, but nothing has been secured (10-23-2008)

49*	?	Toyota	?	BAM Racing Beth Ann Morgenthau Tony Morgenthau	?	?
49*	After six races in 2008, the team suspended operations, was supposed to run some late 2008 races but never did, supposedly will return full-time in 2009

50*	Stanton Barrett	Chevy	NOS Energy Drink	SKI Motorsports Chris Lencheski	Ricky Pearson	?
50*	Barrett plans on running the full 18 IRL season in indy Cars and plans to run 21 Nationwide Series race, no word on and 2009 Cup plans

60*	Boris Said	Ford	7-Eleven Slurpee (Daytona 500) SoBe No Fear Energy Drink	Boris Said Mark Simo Frank Stoddard No Fear Racing	Frank Stoddard	Roush-Yates
60*	no word on 2009 plans, Said wants to run full time and attempted five races in 2008

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WELCOME BACK RACEFANS

FEBRUARY 7, 2009 ~ 8PM ET ON FOX

PLEASE REMEMBER OUR TROOPS IN HARMS WAY. PRAY FOR THEIR SAFETY & GIVE STRENGTH TO THE COMBAT MEDICS WHO TREAT THEM.

EXTRA PRAYERS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED FOR THOSE AT WALTER REED, BETHESDA NMC, BAMC AND THE NEW INTREPID PHYSICAL REHABILITATION CENTER WHICH IS PART OF BAMC.

KEYS

WELCOME BACK RACEFANS FEBRUARY 7, 2009 ~ 8PM ET ON FOX

PLEASE REMEMBER OUR TROOPS IN HARMS WAY. PRAY FOR THEIR SAFETY & GIVE STRENGTH TO THE COMBAT MEDICS WHO TREAT THEM.

EXTRA PRAYERS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED FOR THOSE AT WALTER REED, BETHESDA NMC, BAMC AND THE NEW INTREPID PHYSICAL REHABILITATION CENTER WHICH IS PART OF BAMC.

KEYS

WELCOME BACK RACEFANS

FEBRUARY 7, 2009 ~ 8PM ET ON FOX