What’s up at Penske South?

UPDATE #2 Now that Roger Penske owns all of Penske Racing South, crew chief Matt Borland has been signed to a contract extension and driver #12-Ryan Newman is in negotiations for a similar extension, the focus shifts to finding a replacement for Rusty Wallace. Penske bought the 48% share of the team owned by Wallace, Don Miller and John Erickson this week, giving the racing magnate complete control of the three-car [#2, #12, #77] team. Wallace has announced he'll retire at the end of this season, and many believe Jamie McMurray, whose contract with Chip Ganassi Racing ends this season, will climb into the #2 Miller Dodge. McMurray, who is dating Wallace's daughter, is trying to avoid all the speculation. "Last year I got to talking about my contract," McMurray said. "I'm not going to talk about that at all." Newman has talked with Roush Racing and Evernham Motorsports about a future, but he's leaning toward staying with Borland and Penske. Augusta Chronicle 05/16/05 Ryan Newman has another year on his contract with car owner Roger Penske, but Ford's Jack Roush, Dodge's Ray Evernham, and Chevy executives have all been making a run at Newman, who is the hottest qualifier on the stock car tour. Winston Salem Journal 05/14/05 Penske Racing South is working to cement its future around current Nextel Cup Series star Ryan Newman and his crew chief, Matt Borland. Borland has signed a new five-year contract to remain with the organization, team co-owner and president Don Miller confirmed Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway. In addition, Miller said, the team is close to working out a new contract with Newman.

"The whole idea is to keep us all together for a few more years," Miller said.

Although Newman's contract status has not been widely reported, he has received offers from at least two other organizations, including Roush Racing and Evernham Motorsports, sources confirmed. Last weekend at Darlington, S.C., Newman was seen leaving a meeting in the motorhome lot with all five of Roush's Cup drivers. ThatsRacin