David Stremme got the call he has been wanting. Penske Racing will make the announcement today that Stremme will be the driver of the #12 Dodge currently sponsored by Alltel. Stremme has been working as a test team driver for Penske Racing during the ‘08 season as well as driving the #64 cup light entry from Rusty Wallace Inc.
The #12 Alltel Dodge is currently driven by Ryan Newman. He will part from Penske Racing at the conclusion of the ‘08 season to join Tony Stweart in the new Stewart-Haas Racing team. No sponsor has been announced for Newman’s ride yet.
Stremme is another driver cast aside from Ganassi Racing. Plucked from the cup light series when he drove for Armando Fitz & Terry Bradshaw. At that time, he showed plenty of promise and may have developed into a contender if left to run in that series for a couple of seasons. Ganassi decided to kick Sterling Marlin to the curb and put in Stremme for the car formerly sponsored by Coors Light. It was seen as a move to give Coors a younger hip looking dude to match the marketing power of Dale Earnhardt jr. who was driving for rival sponsor, Budweiser.
The big question now is; will Roger Penske try to move the owner points from the #12 car to the #77 to help Sam Hornish jr. stay in the top 35? Would NA$CAR allow such a move? Richard Childress has a similar issue with his new #33 team to be driven by Clint Bowyer. Can he move the owner points being earned by Bowyer in the #07 this season. Casey Mears has been named to drive the #07, sponsored by Jack Daniels. Mears lost his ride in the Hendrick Motorsports #5 to Mark Martin.
As quickly as we get the picture on who will drive for whom, we add more questions.
Stay tuned!
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