Drivers that may not be back next year

[NickFalzone]

Often times it's not the really ****ty drivers (they usually have some kind of hardcore sponsor or self-funded) it's the so-so ones with inconsistent equipment and a streak of bad luck. Who's not gonna be called back in 08?

[Jonesi]

Well Buddy Rice & Scott Sharp are hitting 40 and not in top equipment. Dario may figure he'll never have a better year to retire after this one. Most people seem to think Hornish is going to Cup.

[turbo-engine]

Well Buddy Rice & Scott Sharp are hitting 40 and not in top equipment. Dario may figure he'll never have a better year to retire after this one. Most people seem to think Hornish is going to Cup.

Rice hitting 40? I didn't know that there are two Rices in Indycar. The one I know is 31 years old.

I think Hornish will go to Nascar and Dario to ALMS.

[pvtjoker]

I heard a rumor Franchitti is in line for the Penske seat should Hornish move on to Cup. Pecorari is in line for a Indy one-off with Foyt. I'm assuming Simmons will be out at Rahal . It'll be an interesting Silly Season.

[Chamoo]

I heard a rumor Franchitti is in line for the Penske seat should Hornish move on to Cup. Pecorari is in line for a Indy one-off with Foyt. I'm assuming Simmons will be out at Rahal . It'll be an interesting Silly Season.

Rahal won't be there next year, Letterman might, but Rahal won't be.

[NYHF]

Rahal won't be there next year............

Where do you think he's going - back to CCWS?

[keysersoze]

Rumor has it that Jeff Simmons is out with immediate effect, and that Ryan Hunter-Reay has the inside track to the RLR seat for Mid-Ohio, with Carpentier, Barron, and Alex Gurney also in the frame.

[Labonte Massa]

Rumor has it that Jeff Simmons is out with immediate effect, and that Ryan Hunter-Reay has the inside track to the RLR seat for Mid-Ohio, with Carpentier, Barron, and Alex Gurney also in the frame.
IndyCar NEEDS Alex Gurney. Perfect person. An amazingly talented American with a good last name. Perfect.

[Jonesi]

Rice hitting 40? I didn't know that there are two Rices in Indycar. The one I know is 31 years old.

Oops you're right, when I added 'year of birth' column to all my race series charts, I guess I inverted his '76 as '67. :rolleyes: No wonder he looked young for his age.

[ChicagocrewIRL]

Rumor has it that Jeff Simmons is out with immediate effect, and that Ryan Hunter-Reay has the inside track to the RLR seat for Mid-Ohio, with Carpentier, Barron, and Alex Gurney also in the frame.

Jeff Simmons is a bonehead. GOOD RIDDANCE !!!!

[mikeearle]

I heard a rumor Franchitti is in line for the Penske seat should Hornish move on to Cup. Pecorari is in line for a Indy one-off with Foyt. I'm assuming Simmons will be out at Rahal . It'll be an interesting Silly Season.

Pecorari most likely will be there in a full time ride next year and not with Foyt.

[gm99]

Rumor has it that Jeff Simmons is out with immediate effect, and that Ryan Hunter-Reay has the inside track to the RLR seat for Mid-Ohio, with Carpentier, Barron, and Alex Gurney also in the frame.

RLR have now confirmed Hunter-Reay for the remainder of the season in the #17 Ethanol car, with Simmons out: http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=9516

[Chamoo]

RLR have now confirmed Hunter-Reay for the remainder of the season in the #17 Ethanol car, with Simmons out: http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=9516

Just more proof that Rahal is preparing his team for life after the IRL hiring a proven CC race winner who is plenty capable on road courses.

[ChampUSfan]

Just more proof that Rahal is preparing his team for life after the IRL hiring a proven CC race winner who is plenty capable on road courses.


Maybe RLR has Hunter-Reay now, but he's better on road courses. Maybe next year they will do like in 2003. One car in CC and one in IRL...and you never, know, maybe go back to CC in 2009...

I wish RHR good luck in the IRL

[Komahawk]

Just curious:
Who's call was it actually that Hunter-Reay got the ride? Rahal or the Ethanol-company? And who decided it was time to drop Simmons?

[Jonesi]

I doubt that we'll ever know the real details. Most likely it was something like Barnhart talking to Rahal, who called the sponsor and suggested a couple of alternative drivers.

[drewdawg727]

Getting back to the topic at hand, I hope they give the boot to Matsuura, he has been talentless since he entered the team in 2004.

[CCFanatic]

Strong rumor today out of Mid Ohio has Danica being released by AGR at the end of the season.

[mikeearle]

Strong rumor today out of Mid Ohio has Danica being released by AGR at the end of the season.

I for one would not miss her. In the beginnings of her career she was a driver I wanted to see make it. She was humble and a pleasure to watch evolve... now she has an excuse for everything and the media attention has clearly gone to her head. She can be a decent driver but with the mouth and attitude she has grown... let her go.

[Jonesi]

Strong rumor today out of Mid Ohio has Danica being released by AGR at the end of the season.

I don't see that happening. She has two more years on her contract and sponsors like her. I don't see her breaking into the top 6 in performance, but no one else seems poised to either. About the only way she's out is:
1. AGR cuts back to 3 cars.
2. Michael has another offspring to put into it.
3. There's a good GP2 driver WITH MONEY, who can't find a F1 seat to his liking.

[keysersoze]

That Danica rumor mentioned above was a troll. Look at his handle. :rolleyes:

[CCFanatic]

Jeez, people, guess you can't take a joke. Wow. Hope no one believed that. She would never leave Indy Car as if Nascar does not want her, she sure is not going any where elese. She owns that series. She does not have results, but you ask any non racing fan about the IRL and all they will know is that is the place Danica races in.

[Easy Drifter]

I expect Milka to be gone if she lasts the year. I also expect Sarah to be through much to my dismay. She just does not seem to have it any more.
Danica will be gone! She is going to Honda F1. She is doing better than Marco.
Now if you believe that last one I have some nice land in FLA. for you that only gets wet twice a day. :vader:

[NoFender]

Jeez, people, guess you can't take a joke. Wow. Hope no one believed that. She would never leave Indy Car as if Nascar does not want her, she sure is not going any where elese. She owns that series. She does not have results, but you ask any non racing fan about the IRL and all they will know is that is the place Danica races in.

For one to say NASCAR doesn't want Danica is not well in touch with what NASCAR wants. They want more, and they want it all. Danica included.

[CCFanatic]

Delete.

[Jag_Warrior]

For one to say NASCAR doesn't want Danica is not well in touch with what NASCAR wants. They want more, and they want it all. Danica included.

Danica was heavily courted by several of the top NASCAR teams prior to signing with AGR.

Just ask T.J. Patrick, he'll tell ya. ;)

[geek49203]

Strong rumor today out of Mid Ohio has Danica being released by AGR at the end of the season.

(removed food for trolls)

[Mark in Oshawa]

Gee....I am glad to see that some people could take a joke. Danica has deserved the kudos she got 2 years ago for the driving she is doing now. The first two years, she was more hype than substance. This year, she is worthy of the hype, and is driving better than ever.

Now, for those who should be gone, glad Simmons IS gone, Matusura should be gone, Sharp has had his day and should give it up since he seems to be incapable of beating the better cars with the team he has and he isn't going to a better team. I would think Buddy Lazier should go away instead of popping up every May, but of course, that wont happen. I do think Vitor Meira and Tomas Scheckter should have to prove they can win at some point, but I don't see them leaving. I think this next year could be ugly if new names of substance don't come in.

Hornish is poised to leave, Franchitti could go to Sportscar racing VERY easily, and that would be a shame if he departs as Champion, and part of me wonders how long more than few stars of the series now will be around in 4 years. We could be on the cusp of tremendous turnover.....

[CCFanatic]

Gee....I am glad to see that some people could take a joke. Danica has deserved the kudos she got 2 years ago for the driving she is doing now. The first two years, she was more hype than substance. This year, she is worthy of the hype, and is driving better than ever.

Now, for those who should be gone, glad Simmons IS gone, Matusura should be gone, Sharp has had his day and should give it up since he seems to be incapable of beating the better cars with the team he has and he isn't going to a better team. I would think Buddy Lazier should go away instead of popping up every May, but of course, that wont happen. I do think Vitor Meira and Tomas Scheckter should have to prove they can win at some point, but I don't see them leaving. I think this next year could be ugly if new names of substance don't come in.

Hornish is poised to leave, Franchitti could go to Sportscar racing VERY easily, and that would be a shame if he departs as Champion, and part of me wonders how long more than few stars of the series now will be around in 4 years. We could be on the cusp of tremendous turnover.....

I think the IRL silly season could be interesting. This year the tope two rookies are RHR and Milka. Franchitti is what 35? I think he will stay in OW for at least 4-5 years. Scheckter never seems to pan out. He is like Dan Clarke, fast, but too fast for his own good. Meira. I never say what others say in him. Lazier needs to keep coming to Indy, as how else are 33 guys going to be achieved? He has the credentials as a winner to deserve a seat. He clearly wants to race. Why get rid of him if he still has the drive? Sharp should be like Vasser in CC and take control of a team. If Rahal leaves, partner with Letterman and have SharpLetterman. And to the Danican part. Well she has a good car for a change. She should be preforming as good as she is.