In this sport timing is everything, on track and off. Do you take tires? Do you stretch fuel? Who was first off pit road? And who was smart enough to sign with a team while the getting was good?
As we get to the beginning of the end of the 2009 season and what has been one of most lackluster Silly Seasons we have had in years (I’m honestly not complaining) it’s interesting to take a look at next season and consider some, or at least one of the decisions made this year.
Just to name a few Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne, Kyle Busch and Jeff Burton will all have contracts that come up in 2010. Hendrick could have an opening to fill for 2011 (Mark Martin), as could several other large teams depending on the future of their present driver lineups.
Now it’s pretty early to start talking about the future for any of these guys, but some of the above have definitely had their ups and downs this season with their respective teams. Performance is certainly up for Kahne and that could definitely be a reason for him to stay, but it could also allow him leverage to look for greener pastures. On the opposite end, Kevin Harvick hasn’t had a great season and the frustration of it could lead him to look elsewhere.
Long story short, next silly season could be a busy one. Which brings me to my next point.
Many have questioned and criticized Brad Keselowski’s decision to sign with Penske Racing for the 2010 season. The move is certainly a risk, I think any move he would have made would have been a risk, but it was a good option available to him, with a good team owner who has a history of supporting drivers he believes in. And I think it’s pretty clear Roger Penske believes in Brad K.
Some have argued he should have stayed with Hendrick/JR Motorsports in the Nationwide Series for one more year and hoped that the #5 ride would come through. This is an assurance I don’t think Rick Hendrick would be comfortable making though. What if Mark Martin decides he wants to stay another year? What if Kasey Kahne (not saying this is going to happen, just throwing a name out there) or any other hot driver wants in at Hendrick?
What does Hendrick as an owner do? Go with the essentially untested (in the Cup Series) Keselowski or the more proven veteran driver? I know what decision I would make.
Ultimately I think Keselowski made the right move signing when he did. He’s with a good team, that can win races and compete for championships. If he had waited a year he ran the intense risk of competing against drivers who had much stronger credentials than he. The fact of the matter is, you’ve got to strike while the iron is hot, and the iron was red hot this season.
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on Sep 7th, 2009 at 2:50 am
First thing I thought of when reading the title was Martin Truex.
I contend it was a dumb move staying another year in the 1, by not extending a year he may have had a shot at gaining the second seat at Stewart-Haas.
In fact when rumors first surfaced Tony was “going owner,” by an Aussie mag BTW, Truex was named in those rumors.
on Sep 7th, 2009 at 7:06 am
Good points all. While Keselowski’s choice initially seemed surprising, upon review it makes perfect sense. Plan “A” was obviously a seat at Hendrick, but with none available Penske offers a great opportunity. Finding him the right crew chief is the next big step, as I assume that Eury Sr. won’t be following him.
The one thing that seemed strange in Brad’s move was that the initial press release implied that the deal with Penske was for a single year only, which is in itself an eyeopener in Cup. And for a half-day or so, no one corrected that perception. But later that day Penske did issue a statement that their deal with Keselowski was indeed a multi-year deal. So, why the confusion? Is it a single year, with mutual options for subsequent years? Could it be multi-year with an escape clause when a ride does open up for him at Hendrick? I think we’re still missing a piece of this story, albeit a minor one.
My guess is that Brad Keselowski jumped at this deal because it secured him a competitive ride with an established team while preserving some of his options for the future. If that’s the case, his haste makes a lot of sense.
on Sep 7th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Got the wrong Busch listed as the free agent! Kyle is the one that’s a free agent after nest season not Kurt!
on Sep 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Ryan- Well don’t I feel like an idiot. That’s what happens when you write these things at 3 in the morning. Fixed.
on Sep 7th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
First Brad Keselowski’s decision, Penske Racing wasn’t one of his options to go to the Cup Series, it was his only real option. I believe Brad at Penske will be two or three year stop and then he will return to Hendrick Motorsports to drive the #5 or if Jeff Gordon retires, the #24.
Second, I believe Mark Martin will be at Hendrick for 2010, 2011 and maybe even 2012, beyond that, I’m really not sure, he could decide to retire.
Third, next years silly season, Kevin Harvick will leave RCR at the end of 2010 for sure, Kasey Kahne will most likely stay at RPM, unless something big happens, and as for Kurt Busch, there is not another owner higher then Penske that has room for HIM. No to RCR, no to Hendrick, no Stewart-Haas Racing, no to RFR for Busch in my opinion.
Fourth — What about Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Elliott Sadler,
jeff Burton, A.J. Allmendinger and Scott speed, there contracts might be up as well at the end of 2010.
Marc: I think MArtin Truex Jr. made a good move and driving the #56 NAPA Toyota at MWR next season, it was his only choice, the #1 ride wasn’t doing it for him.
on Sep 7th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Racedriven: That’s why I wrote, “To name a few.” This is by no means an all inclusive list.