Silly season keeps getting sillier

Everyone knows that this time of the season is where contracts gets signed, drivers move to different teams, and drivers just lose their rides. When you thought nothing could top last year’s big silly season story (Kasey Kahne signing a contract with Hendrick Motorsports), we get plenty this season. The biggest free agent was Carl Edwards. He didn’t know if he wanted to stay with current team Roush Fenway Racing or move to a different team. Joe Gibbs Racing was seeking interest with Edwards, even a rumor came about that Carl was going to take over the 20 car, moving Joey Logano to a fourth car. Eventually, Carl re-signed with Roush.

So, the biggest free agent after that was Clint Bowyer. Clint bowyer started his Cup career with Richard Childress Racing after Clint got a phone call from Childress at the body shop where he worked back in Emporia Kansas. Earlier this season, Clint had said that he wanted to finish his career with RCR. But, that all change when it was announced that Clint was leaving RCR and going to MWR (Michael Waltrip Racing).

Okay, so that takes care of 2 drivers. What about the rest?

Let’s talk about Mark Martin. Currently driving for Hendrick Motorsports, Mark’s future in the sport looked cloudy. Kasey Kahne is taking over the 5 car in 2012, leaving Mark out of a ride. What is he going to do? Was he going to go back to where everything started, the Nationwide series? Everything seemed to be falling apart for Mark, until…this. This weekend, it was announced that Mark Martin was going to be the driver of the 00 car for MWR for a limited schedule. 25 races over the next two seasons to be exact. But, wait? Doesn’t David Reutimann drive the 00 car?

Not anymore. It was also announced that David Reutimann would not return to MWR after the 2011 season. Now Reutimann is out of a ride.

Silly season is a way for owners to look for new talent and for drivers to look at new opportunities. Some drivers don’t get as lucky as other drivers. The only thing a ride-less driver to do is find a ride.

Reuty's night

Just days after the birth of his frist child, Jimmie Johnson took the green flag in second. Jeff Gordon was about to make his 600th start. Landon Cassill was going to make his 2nd cup start. Kasey Kahne was hoping to finish in the top-five for the 4th time in the last five starts And David Reutimann had no idea what was in store for him. Jamie McMurray led the field to the green, but was quickly overtaken by none other than Jimmie Johnson. Surprise!! Jimmie would lead until grean flag pit stops where he makes a roookie mistake. His misses pit road. He loses the lead to pole sitter and evenual 5th place finisher, Jamie McMurray. That didn't stop Jimmie. he ran down 2nd and then ran down Jamie to take the lead back. Caution. Restart. Jimmie Spins. Caution again. Jimmie never really recovered from that. Went 2 laps down. Got a lap back. Hit the wall, went another 2 laps down. He's not the only driver high up in points that had problems that night. Points leader Kevin Harvick also had problems. Now, to about the last 70 laps. Your leader, Jeff Gordon. Your 2nd place car, David Reutimann*. Reuty wears him down for about 18 laps. with 52 laps to go, Reuty takes the lead. He never looks back. Carl Edwards finished 2nd, Jeff Gordon finished 3rd, Clint Bowyer finished 4th and Jamie MacMurray finished 5th. On a more serious note, Kasey Kahne, the 6th place finisher, came over his radio stating the he was dizzy and nauseous. It night have be Carbon Monoxide poisoning. But, after several tweets, his publicist said he was just fine. Congratulations to David Reutimann on his second career win!
*(Note: david Reutimann was in teh top-five all night. Plus he got that stupid asterik erased from by his 1st win!)