STATESVILLE, N.C. (AP)—Elliott Sadler and Gillett Evernham Motorsports agreed to a multiyear contract extension on Thursday that will keep the Sprint Cup driver in the No. 19 Dodge.

“This is the place where I want to race,” Sadler said. “I think what we are building here is special and something other drivers and crew members envy.”

The 33-year-old Sadler joined Gillett Evernham Racing in 2006 and has three victories in 333 Cup Series starts, with 16 top-five finishes and 57 top-10s. He last victory came Sept. 5, 2004, at Fontana, Calif.

“Elliott is a well-respected driver who has the skills, both on and off the track, to succeed in NASCAR,” team CEO Tom Reddin said.

Sadler has two top-10 finishes in 12 starts this season, including an eighth-place run last week in the Coca-Cola 600.

Well now that Elliot Sadler has resigned, that leaves Bobby Lebonte, Ryan Newman, Martin Truex Jr, Greg Biffle, and Reed Sorrenson still left for silly season. Oh, and maybe Tony Stewart!

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McMurray out at Roush at end of 2008? #26-Jamie McMurray will be driving for another team next year, according to one report Sunday citing unidentified sources. McMurray finished 10th Sunday.(Hamptonroads.com), hearing Crown Royal could stay with Roush Fenway Racing, teaming up with Greh Biffle [who is expected to re-sign with Roush] in 2009. No word if Roush Fenway Racing would field a fifth team in 2009 or drop down to the mandated max of four Cup teams, which will go in effect for the 2010 season.(6-2-2008)

Truex expects to re-sign with DEI: #1-Martin Truex Jr. doesn't want to talk much about his contract, which is up after this season. But the Stafford Township, N.J., native says he wants to sign a long-term deal with Dale Earnhardt Inc. "We're just working on some stuff," he said Saturday of the negotiations. On April 28, ESPN.com reported that DEI had picked up Truex's option for the 2009 season. However, there have since been other reports stating that deal was not yet complete and that Truex remains a possible free agent. DEI president of global operations Max Siegel has said signing Truex long-term is a priority. Truex declined to talk in detail about his contract status but said it has been difficult dealing with the issue on top of the pressure of being one of the Sprint Cup series' top drivers - last year, he qualified for the 12-driver Chase for the Championship for the first time, and this year he became DEI's top driver when Dale Earnhardt Jr. left as a free agent for Hendrick Motorsports. "It's a pain," Truex said. "It's a big pain. That's why I try not to talk about it. We'll see what happens. We'll get it done, and when it's done, everybody will know."(Atlantic City Press)(6-1-2008)

Latest with Sorenson: There has been speculation that #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, unhappy with Chip Ganassi for making yet another crew chief change, could leave at the end of the season, possibly to replace Tony Stewart at Joe Gibbs Racing if Stewart decides to move on. Though unlikely, if Montoya were to leave Ganassi, it might be the only way Reed Sorenson gets to stay in the #41 Target Dodge. But if Montoya does stay put, which would appear the more likely scenario, Sorenson could be on his way out. The 22-year-old Sorenson has been with CGR for five years, starting first as a developmental driver, then as a Busch Series competitor and subsequently a quick ascension to a full-time Cup ride at the age of 20. He finished 24th in the standings in his rookie campaign two years ago, improved to 22nd last season, but has had a horrible start to his junior season currently in 30th position, with just one top-five finish in the first 12 events (a fifth-place finish in the season-opening Daytona 500). The last four races came under new crew chief Donnie Wingo, who switched roles/teams with Jimmy Elledge (Montoya's former crew chief) just before Sorenson's last-place finish at Talladega on April 27. Sorenson's in the final year of his three-year contract with CGR. While he's trying to remain optimistic that he'll be retained, two things seem to be working against him. Sorenson acknowledges with a shrug he's heard rumors that Dan Wheldon, who drives for Ganassi in the Indy Racing League, is interested in jumping to NASCAR to join fellow former open-wheelers Montoya and Dario Franchitti. It's highly unlikely Ganassi would expand his Cup program to four teams, meaning one driver currently in his stable would have to go. More than likely that would be Sorenson, who would find himself in the same position as former teammate David Stremme, who was bounced to the curb last year in favor of Franchitti. Sorenson's overall performance this season does not put him in a very strong bargaining position. While a longtime Ganassi favorite, Sorenson is expendable, particularly if a guy like Wheldon decides to make the switch. "I'm kind of making sure I concentrate on (this year) before I get too carried away with next year yet," he said. "I figure if I can run good here for a little while, then (whether he'll stay with CGR) will take care of itself."(Yahoo Sports)(6-1-2008)

JIM UTTER
The Charlotte Observer
Sunday, Jun. 01, 2008

DOVER, Del. - The driver dominoes in the Sprint Cup Series are apparently beginning to fall into place.

Jamie McMurray will not return to Roush Fenway Racing next season and has been actively seeking other employment, the Observer and ThatsRacin.com have learned.

In the past week or so, representatives on behalf of McMurray have notified other Cup teams of his availability beginning next season, multiple sources confirmed on Sunday.

McMurray finished 10th in Sunday's Best Buy 400 - just his second top-10 finish of the season. An attempt was made to reach McMurray after the race, but he left the track without comment to the media or the Ford Racing manufacturer's representative.

McMurray's departure could accomplish two important goals for Roush.

The organization has been in discussions with sponsor Crown Royal to pair that sponsorship with driver Greg Biffle beginning next season, although a final decision has not been made, sources said. Officials with Crown Royal could not be reached for comment on Sunday.

It remains unclear whether the sponsor would move to Biffle's No. 16 Ford, or Biffle would move to McMurray's No. 26 next season. Biffle has been in negotiations with Roush for a contract extension for almost a year, but it remains unfinished.

In addition, McMurray's departure could also open the door for Roush Fenway to move from five to four Cup teams by 2009, one year sooner then required by NASCAR's four-car limits on ownership.

NASCAR officials on Sunday said they have had no discussions with Roush regarding the organization's movement to four teams in 2009.

McMurray entered the Cup series driving for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates with great fanfare in 2002, winning the fall race at Lowe's Motor Speedway while substituting for an injured Sterling Marlin. He went on to spend three more seasons with Ganassi before leaving for Roush in 2006.

McMurray snapped his career-long 166-race winless streak in Cup last season, taking the July race at Daytona Beach, Fla.

He is now 22nd in points, 259 outside the top 12 that will qualify for the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

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JIM UTTER
The Charlotte Observer
Friday, Jun. 06, 2008

LONG POND, Pa. - Roush Fenway Racing driver Jamie McMurray insisted he would be in the organization's No. 26 Fords with Crown Royal sponsorship next season, denying a report last week by The Charlotte Observer and ThatsRacin.com that he would be leaving and the sponsorship likely moving to teammate Greg Biffle.

"I don't know how you can say it. It's like whenever there's not anything to talk about and you tell the truth, you feel like you need to add to the story so you can make people believe you," McMurray said.

"But there's not anything to talk about."

McMurray denied he has put out any feelers with other teams, but asked if anyone had on his behalf, he said, "Not that I am aware of."

Multiple sources confirmed that McMurray's representatives had spoken to at least two other Cup teams about his joining those organizations next season.

In addition, sources confirmed again on Friday that discussions have taken place about moving the Crown Royal sponsorship to Biffle, whose contract expires at the end of this season. No decisions have been made, in part because Biffle's future remains unresolved.

McMurray, 32, has two Cup wins in his career and is currently 22nd in points after earning his second top 10 of the season last weekend at Dover, Del

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JIM UTTER
The Charlotte Observer
Friday, Jun. 06, 2008

LONG POND, Pa. - Clint Bowyer said Friday he will remain with Richard Childress Racing at least through next season.

Bowyer said team owner Richard Childress had recently exercised an option for the 2009 season and that he would remain in No. 07 Chevrolets through next season.

Asked later if he was happy about Childress picking up the option, Bowyer said, "Yeah, yeah."

Bowyer, who has two Sprint Cup Series wins in his brief career, said he wasn't surprised that talk of driver changes for next season has already begun.

"Everybody wants to know where you're going to be. Sponsors are paying a lot of money to be able to know where they are going to be and they want to be there for a long time," Bowyer said.

"It takes so long to get a team put in place - get the right driver, the right crew chief - all that stuff put in place. You need to get started early."

Bowyer, 29, is currently eighth in series points with one win, three top-five and seven top-10 finishes in 13 races this season.

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By Bob Pockrass
Associate Editor
Scenedaily
Saturday, June 07, 2008

LONG POND, Pa. – Ryan Newman already has been in discussions about his future with Penske Racing, and now the issue is complicated with the uncertainty over sponsor Alltel.

Alltel and Verizon announced Thursday that Verizon has agreed to purchase Alltel, with the transaction completed by the end of the year pending approval from industry regulators. Verizon plans to drop the Alltel brand, and NASCAR officials are adamant that Verizon cannot replace Alltel on the car because Verizon was not grandfathered in when NASCAR signed Nextel as its premier series sponsor in 2003.

The only full-time sponsor Newman has known since he began stock-car racing has been Alltel, which began with him in 2000 as he made his way into full-time Cup racing in 2002.

Will the uncertainty of the sponsor impact negotiations?

“Long term, yeah, it’s going to have an influence,” Newman said on Friday after qualifying at Pocono Raceway. “I don’t know what that influence is yet. Obviously, it’s new news to everybody, including most of the people at Alltel. I’ll keep doing what I usually do and see what happens.”

Penske Racing has a long-term deal with Alltel beyond this season, and its status might not be determined until late in the season or
early next year depending on when the deal is completed and when Verizon drops the Alltel name.

Newman could sign a contract without a committed sponsor but that is rare for marquee drivers.

“I don’t know,” Newman said when asked if he would sign without a sponsor commitment. “I have no idea how long things are going to take and what the situation is going to be like.”

Newman, who won the Daytona 500 and is 14th in points, is considered one of the most highly sought free agents with 13 career wins and 43 career poles.

“I’ve been doing my talking, but I don’t have any other answers,” Newman said. “I’d tell you if I did, but I don’t.”

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Newman waiting on team performace before making plans: Ryan Newman has an agreement to revisit his latest contract offer with team owner Roger Penske after an undisclosed deadline, but said he will not return to his current NASCAR Sprint Cup team unless his #12 Dodge program shows significant improvement soon. Newman’s season has been mostly a disappointment after he opened with a victory in the 50th Daytona 500. He’s 17th in points with five top-10s but four finishes of 30th or worse, two because of engine failures. “It’s a performance issue,” Newman, 30, said at a pre-Coke Zero 400 media event at Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday.(St Petersburg Times)(6-18-2008)

Martin to Leave DEI, Almirola Full Time Next Season: UPDATE: Martin Replacing Mears? Mark Martin will have a new racing home in 2009, ESPN.com has learned. Martin was unavailable for comment Sunday. Officials for Martin's current team, Dale Earnhardt Inc., would neither confirm nor deny the speculation, but did confirm that young Aric Almirola would run a full-time schedule in 2009. "Aric is ready for a full-time ride," said John Story, DEI vice president of motorsports operations. Almirola has shared the #8 U.S. Army Chevy with Martin for the past two seasons. "Were talking to Mark about what his objectives for the future are, and trying to marry that with our own, with Aric Almirola, to make sure Aric has an opportunity to run full time next year. We're going through the process right now of trying to make sure that we get something for Aric that provides him a 36-race schedule, and at the same time that Mark is in a good situation."(ESPN.com)(6-22-2008)
UPDATE: Casey Mears and Mark Martin look to be on the move, and their futures might be linked. Mears' future with Hendrick Motorsports appears in jeopardy, ESPN.com has learned. Although Mears has one year left on his contract, team owner Rick Hendrick would not commit to the driver of the #5 car beyond this season. "I'm committed to him right now," Hendrick said on Sunday at Infineon Raceway. "I'm committed to him making that car run better right now." Earlier on Sunday, sources told ESPN.com that Martin would leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. Later, ESPN.com learned that he would replace Mears, making one last full-time run at a championship.(ESPN.com)(6-22-2008)