by Phil AllawayReport: Kurt Busch FiredKurt Busch will not return to Penske Racing in 2012. According to
a Charlotte Observer report, Busch has been released from the No. 22 Penske Dodge, and a formal announcement from Penske racing is expected on Monday.
After The Charlotte Observer's Jim Utter reported the news on Sunday night, speculation ran rampant over who would replace Busch in the No. 22.
FoxSports.com is reporting that David Ragan appears to be the main contender for Busch's old seat. Such a grab would be a major coup for the Roush Fenway Racing driver who is currently looking at starting the 2012 season on the sidelines. As of last week, Frontstretch sources had Ragan in a part-time, investor-funded Ford Cup ride for 2012 that was being negotiated but with the Busch scenario unfolding, that could change. David Reutimann, Sam Hornish, Jr., Casey Mears and Brian Vickers are also said to be possibilities.
The release comes on the heels of a $50,000 fine from NASCAR for an obscene gesture and an obscenity-laced tirade at ESPN pit reporter Dr. Jerry Punch, who was attempting to interview Busch following a transmission failure at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The scene was caught on video and
has almost a million views on YouTube. Penske Racing issued a statement last week that they were reviewing the situation internally, adding that Busch's behavior was not representative of the organization.
It is unclear where Busch could end up in 2012, especially without sponsorship. Several Cup drivers are looking for jobs for 2012. Busch, who acknowledged that he is seeing a sports psychologist, is a former champion, but with most teams' driver lineups set for 2012, there are no guarantees.
Sprint Signs Three-Year Extension With Cup SeriesWhile in Las Vegas for Champions' Week, NASCAR announced that they have reached a multi-year agreement that will see Sprint Nextel Corporation continue their primary sponsorship of the Sprint Cup Series through the end of the 2016 season. The cell phone carrier had just completed their eighth season as primary sponsor of the series. Prior to merging with Sprint, Nextel Communications signed a ten-year, $700 million deal to serve as the series' primary sponsor (replacing Winston) starting with the 2004 season. That deal was lumped into the new Sprint Nextel Corporation created by the merger of Sprint and Nextel, which was finalized in 2005.
Representatives from Sprint Nextel are very pleased to continue their association with NASCAR.
"NASCAR fans are great customers who reward us with their loyalty," said Sprint Nextel CEO Dan Hesse. "We're very pleased to continue to have our brand associated with the most competitive and exciting form of racing in the world."
NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France is also very happy to maintain the crucial relationship with the cellular company.
"Sprint has been very successful in using our sport as a platform to enhance our brand and drive their business," France said. "They have been a fantastic partner and we are immensely pleased to continue with Sprint as the entitlement partner for our premier series. This new agreement aligns perfectly with our aggressive five-year plan, which is laser-focused on continuing to improve our product, keep[ing] our existing fans engaged, and reach[ing] new fans."
During their eight years of series sponsorship, Sprint has associated their brand with the Sprint Experience, a traveling interactive display featuring a Sprint show car, Q&A sessions with Sprint Cup drivers and games for fans to play. In addition, Sprint instituted the Miss Sprint Cup program, the effective equivalent of R.J. Reynolds' Miss Winston program. The two or three (depending on the year) women chosen to serve as Miss Sprint Cup worked as ambassadors for Sprint and the sport at large. Sprint also provides portable cell phone towers at each event and provides Sprint FanView in cooperation with Kangaroo TV for rent at all Cup races.
Tony Stewart Celebrates at Sprint Cup Series BanquetOn Friday night, NASCAR culminated their annual Champion's Week in Las Vegas with the Sprint Cup Series Banquet. Tony Stewart's third championship was celebrated in a four-hour extravaganza with Reba McIntyre serving as the emcee and performances by Kid Rock and the Jersey Boys. The top-10 finishers in the Chase were honored on stage, and 2011 Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year Andy Lally was also recognized.
Stewart spent all of Friday with a gigantic smile on his face.
"This is by far the most fun from start to finish of any championship week I've ever been a part of," Stewart said. "I love Vegas a lot. There's just so much you can do, so much to see."
Of course, Champions' Week was much more than just a banquet. The festivities included the annual NMPA Myers Brothers Luncheon, where year-end awards are given out. There, Stewart took home four yearly contingency awards: the Mobil 1 Driver of the Year Award, the O'Reilly Auto Parts Points Improvement Award, the Sunoco Diamond Performance Award and the Goodyear Tires Award. No other driver won more than one award.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the Wheaties Fuel Most Popular Driver Award, his ninth consecutive win. Kyle Busch won the Goodyear Gatorback Belts & Hoses Fastest Lap Award, while Carl Edwards won the Coors Light Pole Award and Matt Kenseth won the Growth Energy American Ethanol Green Flag Restart Award.
Drs. Joe and Rose Mattioli, the retiring operators of Pocono Raceway, were presented with the NMPA Myers Brothers Award for their nearly 40 years of contributions to NASCAR.
In addition, there was a special NASCAR Victory Lap where a portion of the Las Vegas Strip was shut down so that the top-10 drivers could drive their cars and do donuts in front of a large walk-up crowd. Following that parade, there was "After The Lap," an irreverent time where drivers could let their hair down. This was notable when Jeff Gordon was goaded into a brief break dancing interlude.
Champions' Week was a big success for NASCAR in Las Vegas. The Victory Lap had huge crowds and After the Lap was sold out well in advance. However, this past week was the final year of NASCAR's three-year deal with the City of Las Vegas to host Champions' Week. There is not currently a deal for the banquet and surrounding activities to return to Las Vegas for 2012, but NASCAR does want to return.
"We certainly have a desire to come back. There's a desire I think from them to have us back," said Steve Phelps, NASCAR's Chief Marketing Officer. "I think we're just trying to figure out what are the right assets that work for them? What's the best way to engage with the fan base and bring as many people to the city as possible? But, we're excited about the possibilities of getting something renewed. We don't have anything right now. There are discussions that are going on."
