What's the latest Silly Season gossip?

Jamie McMurray

Despite the announcement last week that McMurray has signed a multiyear deal with Roush Racing that starts in 2007, the driver of the No. 42 Dodge will remain in the rumor mill until his plans for 2006 are settled. Team owner Chip Ganassi still has a one-year option on McMurray, and Havoline, the sponsor on the 42, must wonder about having a lame-duck driver. Inconsistency has to be the biggest reason for McMurray's wanting out. Certainly the addition of McMurray solidifies the Roush Racing juggernaut. Viagra won't be back on the No. 6 after Mark Martin retires at the end of this season, but with the wealth of sponsors Roush has on the line, announcements will be forthcoming. A hint: Look at the sponsors Carl Edwards has been courting for the No. 99.

MICHAEL WALTRIP It's hard to imagine NASCAR's immensely popular class clown without a ride. Waltrip is having a solid season; he easily would be in the top 10 if it weren't for two early engine failures. But Dale Earnhardt Inc. has left him in the lurch regarding next season. DEI vice president Richie Gilmore wants to re-sign Waltrip to a three-year deal. But if that doesn't happen, Waltrip says he has a backup plan for 2006, and you can expect him to have a Toyota deal in 2007. SCOTT RIGGS When word leaked that Valvoline was pulling its sponsorship of the No. 10 car with MBV Motorsports and moving to Evernham Motorsports, Riggs, 34, became a hot commodity, especially with the demand for drivers being greater than the supply. Riggs would like to stay with MBV, but wherever he goes, he wants a three-year commitment. There's word that Valvoline would like Riggs to stay in the No. 10 with Evernham, and don't be surprised if his former crew chief, Doug Randolph, joins him there. Riggs would be a good fit with Jeremy Mayfield and Kasey Kahne. CASEY MEARS He has had a less than stellar two-plus seasons at Chip Ganassi Racing, despite the support of veteran crew chief Jimmy Elledge. Car sponsor Target isn't pleased, but given that Mears has been the third-string driver, his results are not surprising. Word is that Busch rookie sensation Reed Sorenson will get the nod for the No. 41 Dodge in 2006. Possibilities mentioned for Meats include the No. 2 at Penske Racing and the No. 10 at Evernham. There also has been the suggestion that he'll drive

Sorenson's Busch car. STERLING MARLIN No one was surprised when Ganassi announced that Busch regular David Stremme will drive Marlin's No. 40 in 2006, but what is curious is Marlin's plan to run Busch races for Chip Ganassi's son-in-law Armando Fitz next year. Marlin still hopes to garner a Cup gig, and his name has been mentioned with Evernham, Petty Enterprises and Richard Childress Racing, but none of the three owners would confirm they would put him in the car. JASON LEFFLER He returned to Joe Gibbs Racing for the No. 11 car's first season, but now Leffler probably wonders whether he should have come back. He has finished on the lead lap only three times and failed to qualify for the Coca-Cola 600, fueling speculation he would not last the season. Mike Ford replaced crew chief Dave Rogers last month, indicating that Leffler at least will remain with the team through the end of the season.

BUSCH DISH

Open-wheel driver Adrian Fernandez, who made his NASCAR debut for Hendrick Motorsports at his home course in Mexico City and finished 10th, will run an additional four races starling September 3 at California. The biggest challenge for Fernandez will be adapting to heavier cars on oval tracks. "Obviously, the conditions are going to be totally different on the ovals, even though I have experience on the ovals but in different cars," Fernandez says. "The car will move a lot more. I hope that with the experienced team that I have and the friendship I have with Jeff (Gordon) and Jimmie Johnson that I will be able to adapt myself quickly to the car in this situation." Fernandez also will compete at Texas, Phoenix and Homestead.... Mike Wallace will run the No. 64 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Car owner Rusty Wallace decided against driving the car because he wants to concentrate on his run for a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup. Wallace will field a second Busch car for 15 races in 2006. That car will be driven by his 17-year-old son Stephen, who will make his Busch debut at Memphis in October.... Ryan Moore tested for Dale Earnhardt Inc. last week at New Hampshire and expects to make his Busch debut this weekend at the track.--L.S.

TSN's BUSCH
POWER POLL

              1. Martin Truex Jr.

              2. Clint Bowyer He held
                 his own as a top Busch driver
                 in a sea of Nextel Cup
                 campaigners at Chicago,

              3. Reed Sorenson

  [up arrow]  4. Carl Edwards
              5. Kenny Wallace
              6. Denny Hamlin
              7. Ashton Lewis
[down arrow]  8. David Stremme
              9. Jason Keller
             10. David Green

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