NASCAR Silly Season Madness: The Nationwide Series Kansas Lottery 300 Preview

The biggest story every week will be the Chase but if you’re a Nationwide fan, the biggest story is two of Nationwide’s brightest start getting released.

When Turner Motorsports, who owns the #31 and #4 in the Truck Series, purchased Braun Racing, we knew there would be some changes coming. I thought they would wait until next year. Turns out, I was wrong. Brian Scott, current Rookie of the Year point leader was released from the #11 car, which has the listed owner of Harry Scott. Harry is Brian Scott’s father.

I’m interested as to how that will end. Brian has landed on his feet at least for this week, as he will pilot the RAB Racing #09 Ford. We have no word on if that is for the rest of the year, or just for Kansas.

Joe Gibbs Racing has expressed interest in signing Scott to a full time ride next year in Nationwide.

The second casualty is Trevor Bayne. Bayne found out last week that Diamond Waltrip racing was worried about finding full time sponsorship. One of the contract stipulations was that if DWR could not guarentee full time status that Trevor Bayne could leave the team. Roush Fenway expressed interest in having Bayne drive the #98 Ford next year since Paul Menard is leaving for RCR. Many still expected that Bayne would finish out the year with Waltrip, but instead, Waltrip released him, and will have Martin Truex Jr and Ryan Truex finish out the year.

It now seems almost certain that Ryan will run the #99 next season full time in an attempt to win Rookie of the Year.

Also, those following Cup will realize that JTG Daugherty, a sister team to Waltrip’s, has Bobby Labonte in the #47 next year. Labonte doesn’t have that many years left on him, so it leaves the door open to move Ryan up in 2012, or 2013. That’s all speculative thought though.

One thing that is interesting for sure, is that Trevor Bayne didn’t stay jobless for long as Roush/Fenway put him in their #17 Nationwide car for Kansas this weekend with an announcement to be made at a later date about their future ‘long-term’ relationship.

Also, in an interesting aside - Ryan and Martin will race against each other for the first time in Nascar.

Entry List and more after the JUMP!

Just a few, or not so few notes.

This entry list does not include Trevor Bayne’s #17 Roush entry as it was just announced at the 13th hour, so that makes it an even 50 entries now.

Martin Truex is a past champion, and will be guarenteed a starting spot. His sponsor is listed as OUT! the same as Ryan’s. I’m curious to see if they will have matching paint jobs.

Daryl Harr will attempt another race in 2010. Hopefully he doesn’t miss the race, he’s already missing a few letters from his name.

Josh Wise is back in the #7 Chevy. He’s fighting for a full time ride next year. Those of you who might remember, Wise and Michael McDowell were developmental drivers for Michael Waltrip Racing. They shared the #00 cup car when David Reutimann moved to the #44. Waltrip seems to be having quite a few drivers who have been released from MWR and thrown to the wolves. Both have been car hopping since.

Ricky Carmichael will make his first ever Nationwide Start, thanks to Turner Motorsports. Carmichael plans to run 7 races next year for Turner in the Nationwide Series.

James Buescher returns to Nationwide Racing this week. Expect James to finish out the year in the #11, and possibly race it next year full time.

Jennifer Jo Cobb will attempt to make the field. She’s had it pretty rough in the Nationwide series. From DNF’s by crashing to DNQ’s by lack of speed.

Colin Braun returns to the #16. I was kinda expecting Roush to pull Braun for Bayne, but looks like that’s not happening. I like Colin Braun, and I feel like he deserves a full time ride. The best thing for him may be to leave Roush, since Jack has obviously lost confidence in him. Ricky Stenhouse is running so much stronger that one could see him return for a full slate next year.

Stephan McCurley will make his second attempt. He tried to make it last week but the speed wasn’t there. McCurley has a bright future, and he will be trying to impress the big wigs, with so many seats up for grabs for 2011. Speaking of, can you believe that it’s almost 2011? I still remember the Y2K bug. Crazy.

Tim Andrews returns this week with Second Chance racing. The #79 team is looking to go full time next season. They ran a good race last week until an accident ruined the day.

Aric Almirola, who will be a Championship competitor next year, returns to the #88 this week.

Carl Long has brought a new team to Kansas. Long will return October 15th for the Final COT race in the #68 car. I don’t know much about the #94 team, it’s owner is part owner of the #73 team. Cope’s team may have pulled out of this event however.

That about wraps that up. Join us after Saturday for the Review of the Kansas Lottery 300.

It’s only two more weeks until the FINAL COT race of 2010. The new car will be run in all 35 events next year.

Join us Saturday at 3pm for awesome afternoon racing at Kansas. Tune into ESPN2 for the Kansas Lottery 300. Enjoy!