February 19th, 2010 
Journo Bass Pro Shops and Kasey Kahne don’t seemingly have a lot in common, but with the season now in full swing the two are about to have a very similar decision to make: do they stay where they’re at or look for greener pastures elsewhere.
It’s well known Kahne and Bass Pro are in contract years, and given the tension they’ve had with their respective organizations in the past their futures might seem clear; but with recent success and transition both could make surprise moves.
For Bass Pro the transition from DEI to EGR was less than a happy one. It was quite apparent last year that they weren’t putting much into their long standing deal. Even worse, when Martin Truex Jr. left, EGR had to do a lot of convincing to get the company to sign off on Jamie McMurray.
In just a matter of a couple of months though Bass Pro went from skepticism of their new driver, to celebrating with him in victory lane at the Daytona 500. As a sponsor do you stick with the current iteration of a team you’ve been with for years or go elsewhere? Arguably McMurray isn’t the best representative of the company, but if he continues to perform is there any reason for them to move on?
For Kasey Kahne the decision to leave Richard Petty Motorsports is equally murky. He joined Evernham Motorsports in 2004 and in that time racked up 11 wins, including two last year. Since 2004 though, the organization has gone through two mergers and all but lost Ray Evernham’s guidance.
In September, Kahne was among those publicly and privately questioning who was in charge at RPM.
Since that time though Kahne seems like a guy much happier with and much more sure of his situation. That said as one of the sport’s most popular and talented drivers, does he stick with a team that needs him more than he needs them? If Kahne enters free agency he’s sure to be the hottest driver on the market. He’ll likely be able to write his own ticket.
Certainly continued success is going to be important for all parties involved to consider staying where they’re at, but if that does happen is there a reason to move on? And how much success do Kahne and McMurray need to have?
No matter what happens from here on out, I think both have to consider the options available to them. Either one may choose to stay where they’re at, but with plenty of teams looking for sponsors and the likelihood of any number of available seats, Kahne and Bass Pro would be crazy to not see who’s interested.
So what do you think? Will Kahne and Bass Pro stay put? What will it take for their respective teams to keep them? If they do move on where do you think they’ll they go?
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If Bass Pro does move on I see Stewart Haas as the perfect fit given Stewarts relationship with Johnny Morris and already being an assoicate sponsor with the orginization. Though not sure on RCR sponsor contracts but they do already sponsor Austin Dillion in the trucks.
Re Kahne: IMHO it is only a matter of timing as to when Kahne ends up in a 3rd Stewart-Haas car. Those two seem to respect each other’s talents and upbringing.
Re Bass Pro: Can’t argue w/ winning the D500 and the immense exposure. The rest of the year will tell the story.
Re California: A lot of criticism arises about the races there and admittedly the fans don’t always witness the close finishes or side-by-side racing they have become accustomed to at some tracks. But I’ll have to say that a lot of that has to do w/ the fact that it is not and easy track to set-up for or drive consistently fast. I challenge NASCAR Insiders to break it down and view the races at Fontana this weekend w/ a keen eye on which teams and drivers do their homework and “figure it out”. Maybe applaud their talents instead of blaming the track.
I agree with AJ – I see Bass Pro moving over to Stewart-Hass next year. Bass Pro only has to buy a partial season to get on Newman’s #39 (also a former Daytona 500 winner) and they have a much better chance of competing for the Cup with SHR.
I think that Kasey K. will follow where Budwiser chooses to go. And that just might be RCR? They seem to be getting their mojo back.
If RPM becomes as competitive as it looks might be possible, who on earth would Kasey Kahne leave a competitive team where he’s the undisputed star for a team where he’d be the second banana at best?
I think that if Bass Pro moves, it will be over to SHR. BPS has admitted that they are not looking to sponsor a car for the full season, so if they go to SHR, then they can sponsor the remaining races on Newmans car (replacing the current Haas sponsorship). It’s a perfect fit because of Tony’s relationship with Bass Pro, and also with Newmans background as an avid outdoorsman. It seems like a win-win. BPS gets more exposure with a better performing team, and also gets a driver that fits their brand perfectly. And SHR picks up a major part-time sponsor that vills a void for them. If Kahne is to go anywhere, it would most likely be with the potential 3rd SHR car for 2011, of if Harvick jumps into that spot, then I would assume that Kahne would go replace Harvick over at RCR. Everyone else is basically either tied into with contracts, not looking to expand, or simply can not produce as well as SHR and RCR. The only other option for any driver would be for Gibbs to go to four cars. That has been rumored, but I doubt that will happen. And certainly Hamlin, Busch and Logano would not exactly enjoy having another high-caliber driver taking away resources and equipment. JGR is talented enough.