The biggest question facing #2 [and #12, #77] owner Roger Penske this season is signing someone to take Rusty Wallace's place [after he retires at the end of 2005]. The most obvious answer, of course, is Jamie McMurray, who is already in the Dodge camp and driving Wallace's Busch cars. But McMurray is still under contract to Chip Ganassi [supposedly thru 2007], whose rivalry with Penske is well-known and who is not going to give up his own No. 1 driver easily. Penske shies away from even talking about McMurray. "I will tell you at this point I have not even had one conversation with Jamie McMurray about driving on this race team," Penske insisted. "Yes, he would be a great driver, but he's already under contract with Chip." One name that has just come up on Penske's tentative list, according to sources, is Kevin Harvick, who has been driving for Richard Childress since Dale Earnhardt's death in 2001. Miller Brewing, a longtime Penske-Wallace sponsor, has been pressuring the team for more results, in light of the impressive performance by Bud-sponsored rival Dale Earnhardt Jr. In fact, Miller execs, according to sources, have wanted Penske to bring Ryan Newman, Wallace's teammate - sometimes estranged teammate, as at the moment - into the Miller sponsorship fold.

(in part from the Winston Salem Journal)

redriderbob

 

I still see Steven Wallace (Rusty's son), driving the #2 in the somewhat near future.

redriderbob

 

Rob. Please say it isn't so.[sm=smiley19.gif] he's a GM guy.

 

I would love Harvick to drive a Dodge! AWESOME!! I wonder what's going to happen...

~Amanda

 

I'd like to see them get someone who doesn't act like a big baby when things aren't going his way. Trying to wreck people other drivers and starting fights in the pits and such. That's just my take on Harvick.

 

He makes the game interesting... I like him.

~Amanda

 

We'll just have to disagree on this one i guess.

 

Why shouldn't there be "bad boys" in the game? There is in every sport?

~Amanda

 

If you want to be a fighter, get into boxing, wrestling, karate. If you want to be a racer, be a racer. I think I just miss the gentlemans side of the sport. There are few racers that conduct themselves with courtesy and respect for others. Ryan Neuman, Casey Kayne, Terry Labonte, Mark Martin, Dale Jr., and others handle themselves like they have some sense.

Harvick, Stewart, Spencer, R. Gordon, all need therapy IMO. It doesn't have to be on the same level as the WWE. In hockey, harvick would be a goon.

 

I don't understand Amanda... she likes Harvick and hates Mears? I like Harvick a million times better than Dale Earnhardt Sr.! But he does wine a lot, about simple stuff. I do like him better than most Chevrolet drivers though. The only thing I really like about Harvick, is that killer paint scheme he has had the past two years. Makes the #3's Goodwrench scheme look blah!

redriderbob