With the news today that Matt Kenseth is leaving Roush at the end of the season and will be replaced by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. it pretty much signals the start of NASCAR silly season 2012. Kenseth as we all know is a long time Ford driver. He could certainly switch makes but I'm sure him and all the people behind the Ford Racing program would love to keep him in house. Penske Racing is switching back to Ford next year. Penske currently only has 2 full-time teams but has the resources for 3 full-time teams as they have done in the past. Roger Penske has 2 full-time Nationwide series teams with Sam Hornish Jr. and Brad Keselowski. Hornish Jr. is sponsored by Penske's own Penske Truck Rentals company while Keselowski is co-sponsored by Discount Tire and Ruby Tuesday's. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if Kenseth landed at Penske Racing in the return of the #12 car. Penske is a smart enough man to come up with the sponsorship to make something like this happen. Plus Kenseth is a proven champion and has been great in sponsorship marketing over the years. Sponsors would love to be associated with Kenseth. And why couldn't this happen? Nobody thought Penske had much chance at landing Brad Keselowski and look how that has worked out. Keselowski looks to be a lock at Penske Racing for the foreseeable future.
I for one hope your Correct Tim, I don't want Matt to be going to a "low-life cheating" TURDYODA TEAM!!!!! I like Matt even if he does drive a Ford, at least its an American car maker!! I realize parts are made in other countries, but its American and that is where Americans need to be at, for and behind American Companies!!!!!
Yeah that could be a strong possibility too. Logano's future is still up in the air but you would have to think that with the way Logano has been running the last month or couple of months that it will make it really hard for Gibbs to let him go. But then Gibbs could just start up a 4th team for Kenseth if he can get sponsorship. It's really all about sponsorship since both Gibbs and Penske have the resources to start up another full-time team. I just read where Kenseth said today that he already has his ride for 2013 and beyond in place. We just don't know where that will be at.
Wow. The rumor mill is swirling. Michael Andretti has reported brought out Penske's engine program to start up his own Cup team in 2013 with Kenseth being the driver. Also Richard Petty Motorsports is supposedly going back to Dodge next year.
The RPM to Dodge rumor would make sense to me. Considering once Penske makes the switch to Ford, RPM will fall down a notch on the priority list in terms of sharing data and information with Roush.
I agree. It's all about trying to get as high up the pecking order as possible. That's why Penske said he didn't go to Chevrolet. Too many teams there already and no one will ever up Hendrick as #1 Chevy team and RCR as #2 Chevy team. At Ford Penske can make a legit run at Roush as the #1 Ford team.
Well with the news that Penske has released A.J. Allmendinger there is a huge quality ride open for next season. I like Sam Hornish Jr. and always have. But if I'm Roger Penske I am jumping all over Joey Logano. It's almost an all but given right now that Matt Kenseth is going to end up driving the #20 for JGR next season. Logano is a free agent. Penske could be set for the foreseeable future with Keselowski and Logano. He's got the Miller Lite deal and I don't think Shell/Pennzoil would have one problem with Logano. I mean they were behind Allmendinger and Logano is far more proven than Allmendinger is. As a Penske Racing fan I would be thrilled with that kind of move.
