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Sprint Cup
CUP: Likely Candidates To Replace Kurt Busch
Penske racing has a rare opening...
Could Brian Vickers (Right) be the driver to fill the vacated seat of Kurt Busch (Left) at Penske Racing? (Photo: Getty Images)
SPEED will air a special edition of SPEED Center tonight at 6 p.m. ET, co-hosted by Adam Alexander and Steve Byrnes, to wrap up the Busch situation.
Kurt Busch and Penske Racing reportedly have decided to part ways, so who’s on the short list for the No. 22 Dodge?
1) David Ragan — Ragan recently asked for his release from Roush Fenway Racing to pursue other opportunities. After finishing 23rd in the Sprint Cup standings driving the No. 6 Ford at Roush Fenway Racing, the options were limited for 25-year-old Ragan because of a lack of sponsorship.
Ragan, who won his first career Cup race at Daytona in July in his 163rd start, appeared to be heading to Phoenix Racing prior to the Penske/Kurt Busch fallout. But certainly, a ride at Penske Racing could salvage the young driver's career.
Of the three Cup drivers without a full-time ride for next season, Ragan would acclimate to the Penske Racing climate the smoothest. However, if Shell is intent on being a perennial Chase contender, Ragan is a short-term solution.
When reached via text message by FOXSports.com, he said "I don't have any comment at the moment."
2) David Reutimann — As of Sunday night, Reutimann had not spoken with Penske representatives regarding the 22 ride. After five seasons with Michael Waltrip Racing, Reutimann, 41, was released at season’s end. He was replaced by Mark Martin — who will run a limited schedule with Waltrip next season.
Reutimann has two career wins — both on intermediate tracks — but finished 28th in points this season (his worst finish in his four full seasons) and led just eight laps. From a positive standpoint, Reutimann historically conserves his equipment, but as competitive as racing has become, the veteran might not be aggressive enough.
3) Brian Vickers — With Red Bull Racing in limbo — and potential buyers still touring the premises as recently as Sunday — Vickers' plans are uncertain. However, Vickers participated in the Nationwide Series in 2011 and should likely continue his relationship with Turner Racing.
While Vickers is the only driver of these three candidates to ever earn a Chase berth, he was unable to parlay the opportunity into anything substantial — other than a 12th-place finish. Perhaps a true indication of Vickers’ talent came this season when newcomer Kasey Kahne was able to not only win a race in identical equipment but finish 14th in the points, compared with Vickers’ 25th-place showing.
4) Sam Hornish Jr. — After three full Sprint Cup seasons without much fanfare and a lack of sponsorship for 2011, Penske Racing opted to go in a different directions paring down from three to two teams. However, Roger Penske refused to give up on the former IndyCar and Indianapolis 500 champ. Penske has often apologized for not offering Hornish more seasoning before advancing him through the stock car ranks. However, his investment and perseverance paid off last month with Hornish's first NASCAR victory in the Nationwide Series at Phoenix.
Should Penske decide to place Hornish in the No. 22 Dodge it would be the ultimate second chance. If the situation did not pan out it would offer the organization a year until multiple drivers become available after the 2012 season.
SPEED will air a special edition of SPEED Center tonight at 6 p.m. ET, co-hosted by Adam Alexander and Steve Byrnes, to wrap up the Busch situation.
Kurt Busch and Penske Racing reportedly have decided to part ways, so who’s on the short list for the No. 22 Dodge?
1) David Ragan — Ragan recently asked for his release from Roush Fenway Racing to pursue other opportunities. After finishing 23rd in the Sprint Cup standings driving the No. 6 Ford at Roush Fenway Racing, the options were limited for 25-year-old Ragan because of a lack of sponsorship.
Ragan, who won his first career Cup race at Daytona in July in his 163rd start, appeared to be heading to Phoenix Racing prior to the Penske/Kurt Busch fallout. But certainly, a ride at Penske Racing could salvage the young driver's career.
Of the three Cup drivers without a full-time ride for next season, Ragan would acclimate to the Penske Racing climate the smoothest. However, if Shell is intent on being a perennial Chase contender, Ragan is a short-term solution.
When reached via text message by FOXSports.com, he said "I don't have any comment at the moment."
2) David Reutimann — As of Sunday night, Reutimann had not spoken with Penske representatives regarding the 22 ride. After five seasons with Michael Waltrip Racing, Reutimann, 41, was released at season’s end. He was replaced by Mark Martin — who will run a limited schedule with Waltrip next season.
Reutimann has two career wins — both on intermediate tracks — but finished 28th in points this season (his worst finish in his four full seasons) and led just eight laps. From a positive standpoint, Reutimann historically conserves his equipment, but as competitive as racing has become, the veteran might not be aggressive enough.
3) Brian Vickers — With Red Bull Racing in limbo — and potential buyers still touring the premises as recently as Sunday — Vickers' plans are uncertain. However, Vickers participated in the Nationwide Series in 2011 and should likely continue his relationship with Turner Racing.
While Vickers is the only driver of these three candidates to ever earn a Chase berth, he was unable to parlay the opportunity into anything substantial — other than a 12th-place finish. Perhaps a true indication of Vickers’ talent came this season when newcomer Kasey Kahne was able to not only win a race in identical equipment but finish 14th in the points, compared with Vickers’ 25th-place showing.
4) Sam Hornish Jr. — After three full Sprint Cup seasons without much fanfare and a lack of sponsorship for 2011, Penske Racing opted to go in a different directions paring down from three to two teams. However, Roger Penske refused to give up on the former IndyCar and Indianapolis 500 champ. Penske has often apologized for not offering Hornish more seasoning before advancing him through the stock car ranks. However, his investment and perseverance paid off last month with Hornish's first NASCAR victory in the Nationwide Series at Phoenix.
Should Penske decide to place Hornish in the No. 22 Dodge it would be the ultimate second chance. If the situation did not pan out it would offer the organization a year until multiple drivers become available after the 2012 season.
SPEED will air a special edition of SPEED Center tonight at 6 p.m. ET, co-hosted by Adam Alexander and Steve Byrnes, to wrap up the Busch situation.
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