December 4th, 2009 
Journo The previous two seasons (2007 and 2008) have provided interesting Silly Seasons with free agents like Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2009 though will go down in the record books as a refreshingly light free agent year.
While 2009 won’t be memorable for big time moves, 2010 could be one for the ages as several prominent drivers could be considering moves away from their current homes.
Kurt Busch, Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Jeff Burton, David Reutimann and Scott Speed are all reported to have contracts up in 2010. While no one is suggesting (I’m certainly not) Kyle Busch or David Reutimann are going anywhere when their contracts expire, others have been rumored to be looking elsewhere.
Earlier this season Kevin Harvick, the 33-year-old driver of Richard Childress Racing’s No. 29 Chevrolet was rumored to be out at the end of this season. That ultimately proved to be false, but with free agency looming, Harvick hasn’t exactly gone out of his way to deny he’s looking.
His teammate Jeff Burton even told reporters in October he didn’t expect Harvick back after next season.
Kasey Kahne’s another driver who has been vocal about his struggles and frustrations with his present organization. At Homestead Kasey said:
“I use to try and stay in the loop and then things don’t happen that they say will. At this point, I have one year left (on my RPM contract). I want to do the best job for Richard Petty Motorsports in my final year. It’s up to them what happens…Come January, I can start looking around…The ups and downs of the team has made it difficult for me to really say, ‘Man, I’m going to be here for 10 more years.’”
When asked if he was going to look elsewhere next season, Kahne said he would.
Kurt Busch has in the past had struggles with performance and with team owner Roger Penske (TC even speculated earlier this season that Busch’s stellar season could have been related to his pending free agency), but with the successes of this season and with the potential addition of a top notch crew chief, it might be difficult for Busch to find greener pastures.
Even Elliott Sadler and Scott Speed could be guys to watch next season (though this is pure speculation). Sadler notably had a power struggle with the management at RPM following the 2008 season after it was rumored they were looking to cut him from their lineup. They may use this as a chance to cut the driver loose (or he may choose to look elsewhere). And Scott Speed struggled in his first full season, failing to qualify for three races (though the team bought Joe Nemechek’s ride for two of those races) and racking up eight DNFs. With an average finish of 29th and only one top five, one top ten, and a 35th place finish in the driver points (36th in the owner points) Speed didn’t exactly light the world on fire. If he struggles again next season and a top prospect comes available, Red Bull might just put something together; which means Speed could be looking for another ride.
Whatever 2010 holds on the competition side, I can’t say; but it’ll no doubt be an interesting and active year for the free agent (whoever they may ultimately be).
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I could easily see Kevin Harvick becoming a third driver at SHR in 2010. If they are feeling confident enough to add a fourth, Kasey Kahne wouldn’t be a bad choice, especially if he can bring the Budweiser sponsorship with him.
I don’t see Kurt Busch leaving Penske unless there’s a massive behind-the-scenes shakeup. He’s had a great season with them this year, and if his brother’s former crew chief joins his team (as the rumors seem to point to), I see nothing but bright futures for both Kurt and Steve.
I don’t see Burton leaving Childress if Harvick does, just as I don’t see Sadler leaving RPM if Kahne does. However, if either of those two latter drivers stay, I do see Burton and Sadler putting out feelers to other teams.
And as you said, I simply don’t see Kyle Busch or Reutimann looking for other options in 2010. I just don’t see KyBu having better options than he has now (he’s not going back to Hendrick) and unless Reutimann gets an offer from either Hendrick or JGR, he’s not going anywhere.
i see tony adding kasey to his lineup alot faster than kevin harvick