Mears, Hendrick to part ways after 2008 season
By Team Release
June 27, 2008
09:55 AM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. -- Hendrick Motorsports and driver Casey Mears will part ways following the 2008 Sprint Cup Series season.
"We've put a ton of emphasis on the No. 5 program," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "It's been a total team effort, and Casey has worked as hard as anyone to help us improve. We've tested more than we ever have, but the results just haven't come.
"None of us, Casey included, have been satisfied with the situation this season. But he's confident there are other options out there for him in 2009, and we feel like Hendrick Motorsports will have some opportunities, too."
Mears will finish the 2008 Sprint Cup campaign in Hendrick's No. 5 Chevrolets.
"I know the effort has been there, but we haven't had the finishes to show for it," Mears said. "I've never tested this much or put more energy into racing. But for whatever reason, we just haven't been able to make it click. It's certainly not for lack of dedication on anyone's part.
"I'll talk to people about opportunities and get my 2009 plans wrapped up soon, but I'm also focused on the next 20 races and finishing 2008 on a positive note. We ran well the second half last year, and I know we can do it again. I want to close this season the right way."
Hendrick Motorsports will announce its 2009 plans at a later date.
I can never keep up with all this silly season stuff...I just wait until the green flag drops at Daytona in February...then I'll see whose driving what for whose team...
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"Smoke" screen or is Stewart interested in the #5 ride? #20- Tony Stewart said Friday the new opening at Hendrick Motorsports could effect his decision about where he drives next season. Hendrick Motorsports announced that Casey Mears would not return in the #5 Chevrolet. "There's no one in the garage area that's not going to look in that direction," Stewart said. "You've got to look at it. Absolutely." Stewart has said he is exploring an ownership option to become the co-owner and a driver for Haas/CNC Racing. He was asked Friday when he might have a decision on his future. "At this morning's announcement [on the #5 car], I don't know," he said. "It may be pushed back even more. We'll wait and see. It's however long it takes to make the right decision. There's a lot of variables to look at. We've got all the information except what happened today. The good news is we still have time to look at it." Stewart is under contract with Joe Gibbs Racing through the 2009 season. JGR officials have said they plan to hold Stewart to his contact obligations in the #20 Toyota. Hendrick did not say who will drive the #5 Chevy next season, but ESPN.com
__________________ Rome did not create a Great Empire by having meetings--- They did it by killing all people who opposed them!
Can you imagine Hendrick with Tony? They would have....
Jeff Gordon(4 time cup series champ)
Jimmy Johnson(two time cup series champ)
Dale Earnhardt Jr(most popular driver in Nascar)
Tony Stewart(two time cup series champ)
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Oh gag me.... I really hope that this is all a "smoke" screen. If Hendrick gets Tony, I'm going to officially be a Hendrick-hater. I've never liked the Patriots for the same reason: Too good!
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Go, Rowdy, Go!!
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DEI, Almirola, Army announcement today? An official announcement that Aric Almirola will drive the #8 car at Dale Earnhardt Inc. full time next season will be made on Tuesday, sources close to the situation said. The decision to put Almirola into the U.S. Army-sponsored car full time had nothing to do with Martin's decision to return to a full-time Sprint Cup schedule and make one last run at a championship, sources said. It had more to do with advancing Almirola's talents and taking advantage of the appeal he has shown with sponsors looking for a younger driver. One of those is U.S. Army, whose target audience fits the 24-year-old Almirola much more than the 49-year-old Martin.(ESPN.com)(7-1-2008)
Almirola to drive full-time in 2009 for DEI
56 minutes ago
Buzz Up PrintCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)—Dale Earnhardt Inc. will use Aric Almirola full-time next season in a promotion that will free Mark Martin to move to Hendrick Motorsports next season.
Almirola and Martin have shared a ride since the middle of last season, but Almirola will pilot the No. 8 Chevrolet exclusively in 2008, DEI said Tuesday. Martin is expected to replace Casey Mears in Hendrick’s No. 5 car, and an official announcement is scheduled for Friday at Daytona International Raceway.
“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity,” Almirola said. “When you get into racing, you always dream of competing at the highest level and I’ve had the chance to do that on a limited basis for the past two seasons.
“Now I will have the opportunity to race the car full time and I could not be more excited about driving the No. 8 car each week for Dale Earnhardt Inc.”
Almirola began sharing the ride with Martin last summer after he gained his release from Joe Gibbs Racing. In 11 Sprint Cup Series starts, Almirola has one top 10—an eighth-place finish in his season debut at Bristol in March.
“There is no doubt Aric is ready to go full time,” said Martin. “Aric is an incredible talent and a true student of the sport. Having him run a full-time program in the No. 8 was always part of the plan, but his development has allowed us to accelerate things.
Driving that 8 car has been a tremendous honor for me given the respect I have for Dale Earnhardt and DEI, but it is also a great honor to be able to turn over the driving duties of that car to a young man that is destined for great things.”
Martin has 12 more races scheduled for this season in the No. 8, formerly driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Start your engines! — Sign up for Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Auto Racing '08 today.
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