Truex or Stremme to replace Newman at Penske
09/01/08 David Stremme, who signed earlier this year as a test driver for Penske to go along with his Nationwide Series driving duties for Rusty Wallace Racing, has been considered the primary candidate for the job the last few weeks.
Stremme said that he might be able to talk about his future next week.
“I don’t have anything [to say]," a terse but polite Stremme said Saturday at Auto Club (Calif.) Speedway. “We’ll see [what happens]."
When asked if he was worried about the talk that Penske's people talked with Brad Keselowski (Keselowski says he was never offered the ride), Stremme said he wasn't.
"Talk to them at Penske, they probably know what's going on," Stremme said.
08/20/08 This rumor is upgraded to 'strong' today. David Stremme, the driver for Rusty Wallace’s Nationwide effort, appears to have the inside track to replace Ryan Newman in the No. 12 Dodge at Penske Racing next season.
While refusing to acknowledge that a decision has been made, all signs from within the organization point to an announcement within a matter of days, as soon as the details on sponsorship for the team have been finalized. Current primary sponsor Alltel, which merged with Verizon this spring, has been forced to leave at the conclusion of 2008.
Based on team owner Roger Penske’s past history hiring drivers, bringing Stremme on board as a test driver this past April signaled that the Indiana-born Stremme was being considered to be more than just a test driver.
Stremme has also been given the thumbs-up for the move by former Penske driver and business partner Wallace. Yahoo! Sports
07/28/08 David Stremme said he has talked with Penske officials about driving the No. 12 Sprint Cup car next season. “We’ve talked," Stremme said Saturday at O’Reilly Raceway Park. “Obviously, I’m doing testing for them. But there are a lot of opportunities open, too. Who wouldn’t want to be racing for Roger Penske? He’s very successful in motorsports. I like how they do their program. I just want to run good, and I want to be around people that want to race and perform," Stremme said. “I can get right back in there and be competitive. I’m in the cars about every week testing. It’d be cool to get to drive for him – or another organization. But it’d be neat really for him because his reputation in motorsports and the success he’s had."
07/15/08 There are too many rumors out there regarding Martin Truex Jr. to Penske. My sources have confirmed to me that at this time, Truex Jr. does not have any interest in joining Penske Racing. I am hearing that David Stremme remains the leading candidate to take over the recently vacated seat in the #12 car.
Truex Jr. continues to be courted by the newly formed Stewart-Haas Racing and is being heavily pursued by DEI to sign an extension. Ryan Newman and Truex Jr. are close friends, and sources told me that Newman has shared in detail with Truex Jr. just how bad things are at Penske. I would be very surprised to see Truex Jr. sign with Penske when one of his closest friends just decided to walk. Look for Newman and Truex Jr. to join Tony Stewart at Stewart-Haas Racing very soon. – John 'Captain Thunder' Nevins for www.captainthunderracing.com
07/15/08 Penske has offered no hints as to who might replace Ryan Newman. Martin Truex Jr.’s name has been mentioned, but Truex’s current contract with DEI is still the subject of legal debate, and it is unclear if DEI will indeed force Truex to return for another season or give him his release. Truex has been pushing quietly to become a free agent. David Stremme, who drove for fellow Dodge owner Chip Ganassi until being released at the end of last season, has been a Penske test driver this season, and Stremme could also be under consideration. Winston-Salem Journal