NASCAR Cup Series Rumors

#00 team to fold, McDowell axed

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Michael McDowell

Michael Waltrip Racing will field cars for #55-Michael Waltrip and David Reutimann and then partner with JTG Daugherty Racing to field the car for Marcos Ambrose [#47] in the Sprint Cup Series in 2009. The fate of the current #00 MWR team is still to be determined. Running that car would depend on sponsorship, MWR Executive Vice President Cal Wells said Saturday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. “Our plan right now is two plus one, and we’re working on some other opportunities for next year," Wells said.

“We’re all in to make those three cars race-winning contenders every week. We’re not going to spread our resources unless we can really find the right kind of deal. We did this year, but next year we’re going to make sure that we’re sponsored."

The team currently fields three cars, including one that has primarily been driven by Michael McDowell. But McDowell hasn’t driven the last two weeks. AJ Allmendinger drove the car Saturday night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and Wells said he considers him a candidate for a full-time ride if sponsorship is found for the fourth car. McDowell didn’t seem very optimistic about returning to MWR when talking Saturday.

“They didn’t exercise the option on me," McDowell said. “I know it’s due to not having funding, but being out these few races here, I’m not really sure where that’s driven from. I don’t know if I’m racing next week. Hopefully I’ll be in at Martinsville or in at some races before the end of the year. But in the meantime, they’re working hard on sponsorship and I’m working hard on trying to stay in the garage."

Wells said there is a plan for the rest of the year that includes McDowell and wouldn’t say who would drive next week at Martinsville. He said the situation is “fluid," but did say that J.J. Yeley, rumored to have been driving the car, will not be driving it.

“I just want to race – I don’t care if it’s a truck, Nationwide or a Cup car," McDowell said. “I’m ready for any of the above. You’re not going to be extremely picky, choosy at this point. I need a job." Wells said he was unsure exactly will happen with the points and which cars’ points the JTG Daugherty team will get. SceneDaily