Joey Logano

[MichaelCMTX]

1) Home Depot wasn't even that thrilled to get Joey to begin with.  Word was JGR gave them a discount on their sponsorship for him to get in the 20. I don't think Home Depot will accept another roll of the dice again, and with UPS scaling back this year, I can't help thinking FedEx will follow suit.  Hamlin does 28 races with Home Depot and 8 with FedEx? Wouldn't shock me if 2013 unfolds this way.

2) With the cars turning to junk at halfway despite the CC swap, it's telling me the feedback from the driver isn't the greatest, because I'm not going to assume this is the 34 team and maybe the equipment is a little suspect.

3) Met Travis in the garage at Texas.  I have to take back some of the bad things I've said about him because he was unbelievable cool with me.  Now that point made, it's REAL early to talk about Travis taking over a Cup ride.  Let's see how he does in Nationwide first. Danica Patrick anyone?  And she's raced on more ovals!!

4) If he does well in Nationwide, is the whole 5-Hour Energy thing with MWR truly an issue ever bringing him to Cup. JGR has their lot cast with Monster with Kyle's connections.  If anyone thinks that's an insurmountable problem, there's probably warehouses full of Kyle Busch NOS and Robby Gordon Monster swag you can buy really cheap.

5) If Michael McDowell starts getting a few more rides in JGR Nationwide equipment, Joey's driver's seat is going to start getting really hot. I still think Kyle thinks Kurt's going to be in the 20 next year; but there's a part of me wondering if Dodge is going to make them both an offer they can't refuse?

6) Now with the benefit of several years experience, does anyone here disagree that Joey's NH win was no more than a fuel mileage/weather fluke?

[xX--TheLeader--Xx]

Joeys Lone win was pretty much a Weather and Fuel mileage Fluke, I pretty much Believe Joey is another Casey atwood, So much Potential in the Lower Series and was Rushed very Quickly To cup. Wouldn't surprise me If Kurt got the Nod to Drive the 20 next year, Depending if he Improved his Attitude............

[MichaelCMTX]

I just keep thinking FedEx is a bigger and bigger question here.  Roush cut a team, RCR cut a team, wouldn't surprise me if JGR had to do the same in light of a FedEx cutback. 

[RainesFan]

With the issue at the end of the season when he left Roush and the way he left Penske, no way Gibbs takes on Kurt Busch.   That isn't the nature of Coach Gibbs.  I could see some sort of alliance between Phoenix and JGR if they (JGR) go down to 2 cars and Phoenix takes on some JGR assets.

I still see Michael McDowell in the #20 if Logano is demoted or let go.  In fact, I could see JGR pulling a Red Bull and have McDowell in the #20 at an oval and Watkin's Glen just to provide some feedback. 

It was hard to replace Tony Stewart as the face of HD...Both Logano and McDowell are about as charismatic as white bread and Kurt Busch as a handy man isn't very believable.  Pastrana, could fit that bill (Mr. Excitement).

[jaysfan]

Guys, for the last time, quit speculating on Travis Pastrana! He's a co owner of MWR Nationwide team!

[MichaelCMTX]

Guys, for the last time, quit speculating on Travis Pastrana! He's a co owner of MWR Nationwide team!

Means nothing.  Bill Elliott owned a team.  Jeff Gordon part-owned a team with Ray Evernham, Mark Martin owned the #17 team. Point being, that ownership can be undone with less time than it took to write this post.  I'm sure at any time of day or night there's a contract lawyer they can call in Charlotte.

[jaysfan]

Bill Elliott wasn't a co-owner, he owned and raced the #94 McDonalds car, now #98 car not sure how the deal worked there. To get back to the topic, why would Travis Pastrana would have the deal with MWR nulled and voided? Just to be rumoured to be part of# 20 team? Doesn't make sense

[MichaelCMTX]

I agree with you there's no reason at this time for Travis to change situations, but if he performs well in the races he runs many questions will come up. To take discussion of him leaving off the table "Because he's a co-owner" is short sighted.  There are many scenarios where I'm sure he'd be all too happy to opt out of the partnership.  What if, say,  this afternoon RCR were to offer a full season in the 33 Nationwide car and the occasional Cup ride?

While MWR's Cup operation has stepped it up so far in 2012, this oddball partnering-up on the Nationwide team for Travis seems to indicate this "team" exists on paper only.  Not a colossally stupid move on Travis's part because if they can him, he doesn't walk away totally empty handed, nor for MWR because if a better situation comes along for Travis, it makes walking away from them a bit more difficult.  Not impossible, but they probably don't end up empty handed either.

I'm closing in on 20 years following this sport and have yet to see a contract or ownership agreement or sponsorship that couldn't vanish into thin air for the right situation or price.

[RainesFan]

It also wouldn't be surprising to see Home Depot head over to SHR.