Allmendinger FIRED!

[TeamBlueOval]

AJ is out of the 43 and Kurt Busch is in. :(

Stupid, stupid decision. Poor AJ - he didn't deserve this.

[TeamBlueOval]

I'm a Richard Petty fan and an Ambrose fan, but I will NOT pull for any RPM car next year if this is true.

This is completely absurd. Jayski says Best Buy has to approve the deal. Let's hope Best Buy stands with AJ!

[blueblood]

wow i think he will run the car up front and win some races but i seill dont like the sob. But I thought they were just interested in him I did'nt read where aj was fired or that they hired kurt for sure. Why would'nt they add him to a 3rd car? I dont know how much pull roush has with rpm but i know he wouldnt hire him.

[TeamBlueOval]

Reports on Twitter say that AJ is OUT and they say it has been confirmed by RPM sources.

I hope it's not true - a 3rd car would be okay, but I don't want him there in place of AJ.

[TeamBlueOval]

Per Tom Jenson on Twitter, RPM needs more sponsorship to sign Kurt.

Not sure it matters now because RPM has made it clear that they don't really care about AJ and are looking to replace him. Talk about alienating your driver ... stupid, stupid, stupid.

[Ford Dude]

Per Tom Jenson on Twitter, RPM needs more sponsorship to sign Kurt.

Not sure it matters now because RPM has made it clear that they don't really care about AJ and are looking to replace him. Talk about alienating your driver ... stupid, stupid, stupid.

UN-FREEKIN-BELIEVEABLE! A J made great strides last season and IMO has shown he has the desire and talent to become a top tier Sprint Cup driver. Is he there yet? No, maybe not quite but the kid is talented, driven and dedicated. It will pi$$ me off big time if he loses his ride to Kurt. I'm not saying Kurt is over the hill but for crying out loud Brad Keselowski out performed him last season and did it without making a complete jackass out of himself. I haven't read anything to confirm that A J is out so my hope is that it's just another in a long line of BS being spewed by someone who wants wants some notoriety.

[TeamBlueOval]

Robbie Loomis (GM of RPM) confirmed on Sirius today that they are in talks with Kurt to drive the 43. More than a rumor.

But, I agree. AJ has shown potential. He gets better every season and is right there on the cusp of winning races and contending for a Chase spot. He was 15th in points this year, and that's nothing to sneeze at, especially when he's driving for what has to be considered a second tier Sprint Cup team, at best, in RPM.

[DeeDee]

RPM considering Kurt Busch in #43 car? Sirius XM NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody has learned that in an effort to retain sponsor Best Buy, Richard Petty Motorsports has proposed replacing AJ Allmendinger as driver of the legendary #43 Ford with Busch. RPM struggled to re-sign Best Buy a year ago, negotiating until early January before inking a one-year contract. The electronics retailer served as major sponsor of the #43 team in 26 events this season.
Richard Petty Motorsports Chief Operating Officer Robbie Loomis confirmed today that discussions have been held regarding Busch, saying, "Best Buy has been a great partner for a long time, and AJ Allmendinger has done a fantastic job for us. He's coming off his best season yet, but I can tell you there is a lot of interest on our part in having Kurt Busch in the fold. It makes sense to have Kurt with our team, if we can make it work.
"Our main focus is to continue building on what we finished the season with last year," said Loomis. "But right now, I feel like I'm running down two different sets of train tracks. From a personal standpoint, nothing has excited me more than when I heard Kurt had become available. I'm excited about the opportunity to add a driver like Kurt Busch to Richard Petty Motorsports. I would mortgage my house to make Kurt a part of this team. We value what he has done on the race track. He has won a (Sprint Cup) championship and worked for a first-class operation like Penske Racing. Guys like that don't come along every day."
Allmendinger finished 15th in 2011 Sprint Cup Series championship points, with one Top-5 and 10 Top-10 finishes. His best finish was a fifth in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in late May. Busch won a pair of races this season at Infineon and Dover en route to 11th in points, tallying eight Top-5 and 16 Top-10 finishes. He parted company with Penske Racing earlier this month, in the aftermath of a much-publicized verbal confrontation with ESPN pit reporter Dr. Jerry Punch during the 2011 season finale at Homestead Miami Speedway (Sirius Speedway (http://www.sirius-speedway.com/2011/12/rpm-considering-busch-for-43-ford.html)).
AND no word what Allmendinger would do IF this happens; and not too sure Jack Roush [who Busch drove for before Penske and had issues with], who team supplies cars and engines to RPM would allow this to happen.(12-13-2011)

He's coming off his best season So they let ya go and replace ya with a total jerk!!!! That's ridiculous :roll: :roll: RPM and Best Buy ... you just might deserve Busch :green:

[Mr.Right]

Kurt Busch back in a FORD! :-o
That would be awesome! :D ...and quite expensive for me, as soon as the diecasts and gear comes out. :)
Hope something comes together for A.J. to remain in a third car for RPM, at least part-time. He is also part of the ownership group for a new IndyCar team set to debut this season, so that could also be a potential destination for him...

[DeeDee]

RPM struggled to re-sign Best Buy a year ago, negotiating until early January before inking a one-year contract. The electronics retailer served as major sponsor of the #43 team in 26 events this season. RPM did not release an official statement on the speculation that either Allmendinger had been released or if Best Buy was ready to remain with the team for 2012. The possibility of adding Busch as a third entry has also been discussed but contingent on finding additional sponsorship.(CBS Sports (http://eye-on-nascar.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/19681720/33854677))(12-14-2011)

[RacingDude]

UN-FREEKIN-BELIEVEABLE! A J made great strides last season and IMO has shown he has the desire and talent to become a top tier Sprint Cup driver. Is he there yet? No, maybe not quite but the kid is talented, driven and dedicated. It will pi$$ me off big time if he loses his ride to Kurt. I'm not saying Kurt is over the hill but for crying out loud Brad Keselowski out performed him last season and did it without making a complete jackass out of himself. I haven't read anything to confirm that A J is out so my hope is that it's just another in a long line of BS being spewed by someone who wants wants some notoriety.

I agree. It would really be a shame if AJ gets shafted from this ride. I've liked him since he showed improvement with Red Bull, and unfortuantely this situation looks like it could be more of the same of what happened to him there. Kind of surprised that RPM would hire Kurt, though. Like I said in the thread about Kurt's departure from Penske, he is really talented but I don't think the way he runs his mouth to everybody is worth it. Plus, he was complaining all the time when he was still driving good cars; who knows how much he'll bash a RPM car?

REALLY hoping this is only a rumor. I don't want to see AJ lose his ride in favor of somebody like Kurt. :-/

[TeamBlueOval]

It wasn’t clear whether RPM would remove Allmendinger from its lineup entirely or if it would make room for him in a third car.
click here for full article (http://stockcarspin.com/2011/12/13/report-aj-allmendinger-out-kurt-busch-in-at-rpm/)

That's somewhat encouraging. If they will keep AJ on board, I do think that Kurt may add a little bit to the team. I can't stand Kurt, but he is talented, and it might help AJ and Marcos to have an experienced whiner (I mean, WINNER ;)) like Kurt on the team.


So they let ya go and replace ya with a total jerk!!!!

Apparently, that's how NASCAR teams treat people now. Darian Grubb wins the title, gets fired. AJ has his best season ever, looks to get fired.:-/:~:

...maybe some of these NASCAR guys need to go to business school and learn how to treat employees. Firing them is not an appropriate incentive system to encourage good performance! ;) :lol:

[Mr.Right]

Everyone wants to rip the RPM team for this decision, so I must ask....
Honestly, which driver gives a NA$CAR team a better shot at winning on Sunday Kurt Busch or A.J. Almendinger? ;)
-and-
Regardless of whether you agree with his off-track actions, Kurt Busch will give a team/sponsor more exposure than A.J. :!: look around on raceday...you ever see someone wearing an Almendinger/Best Buy shirt? :eh: Me either.... :)
yes, Kurt has had 'altercations' with his crews in the past, but so has A.J. (with the King, himself).

RPM is desperate to keep their primary sponsor for 2012 at a time when even some of the Chase contenders can't find backing...they don't have the time to keep 'developing' A.J. Almendinger for the future, nor can they afford to run the #43 out of pocket like Roush can with the #17.

Like it or not, it's all about wins and losses, dollars and cents...

[TeamBlueOval]

Okay, given your criteria, let me ask some questions:

Who gives a team a better shot of winning on Sunday: Kurt or David Ragan? The answer is probably KURT, but Roger Penske fired Kurt and is likely going to give his ride to Ragan.
-and-
Will Kurt give the team more exposure? ABSOLUTELY! TV likes to follow a train wreck. Kurt will have a meltdown and act like the jerk he is at some point next year, and TV will cover that. My question is - do you really want your company to get exposure like that? I think NOT. That's why Shell dropped Kurt.

Kurt, a champion, has been fired not once, but TWICE from high profile rides. He doesn't learn. He doesn't change. He continues to be an absolute jerk. And, if we are talking dollars and cents, I won't spend a dollar or a cent at Best Buy if they sponsor Kurt. Generally, I like to support all NASCAR sponsors, but this would be an exception.

And, you bring up AJ's spat with Richard Petty ... yes, that happened. It happened ONCE. It happened in private, not over the team radio. AJ apologized and changed, we haven't seen similar behavior since. Kurt has been acting like this on a REGULAR basis for YEARS and have NOT changed. So, that is a completely worthless argument.

Finally, you mention "developing" him for the future. That's just it - they have ALREADY spent the money developing him, he's ready to break out and win races. He finished 15th in points this year. That's only a few spots behind Kurt. And, IMO, Kurt drove for a top tier team while AJ was driving for a second tier team. Not a bad accomplishment. AJ is ready for the future - the development is over. I think he would make the Chase in 2012 if they let him have a shot.

Kurt might make the Chase, but if he causes all of the good crew people to quit in the process (like Addington did at Penske), is it really worth it? I think not.

Kurt would be a poor choice - he's had his chances, and as far as I'm concerned, he doesn't deserve another shot.

[Mr.Right]

Kurt Busch is a "hothead", and he does have a serious "attitude"...I'm not arguing that! :eh: He also WINS races. Maybe you won't support Best Buy if Kurt Busch is driving their racecar, but a lot of other loyal Kurt Busch/Richard Petty fans (including myself) will! :cool:
...I will NOT, however be fueling my Ford Escape at a Shell station anytime in the near future. :lol:

Please show me where Kurt was fired twice...other than gossip/rumors from NA$CAR fans on internet message boards :?: He asked for his release from Roush Racing to accept Penske's offer, and while I have said all along that this was BY FAR the WORST decision he's ever made, Jack Roush originally refused to grant the request. This is fact!

I'm not taking anything away from A.J. Almendinger, and I hope RPM becomes a three car team with A.J., Ambrose, and Kurt...but at the moment they are struggling to re-sign their top sponsor and need to prove to that company that they are making the changes necessary to put their car in victory lane, something they have been unable to do, thusfar...otherwise we'll probably see Marcos Ambrose in Petty's trademark #43 as a one-car effort for Richard Petty Motorsports, and I don't think anyone wants to see THAT.

As far as someone 'deserving' another shot...it wasn't that long ago that Tony Stewart was on his "last chance" from JGR/Home Depot for several similar incidents with members of the media. He was even "fined" by his own sponsor...He went on to win the Championship that season, a bunch of races, and another Championship since then.

[yatesracing]

I want to see kurt in a FORD--- period
Three cars would make me very happy for RPM, but they must try real hard to sign up Kurt.
When he left -which was his choice and was definitely not fired-- I knew that was going to be his biggest mistake and once again I have been proven right.

Just don't want to see Roush and RPM's bumping heads should this deal really happen.

[Mr.Right]

I want to see kurt in a ford--- period
You and me both!
He was the last driver to win a Cup Championship with Ford...Hopefully it can be a winning combination once again. :cool:

I could 'deal' with the Dodge thing, but if my favorite driver were to end up in a Chevy or Toyota, THAT would be a little more difficult...
:~:

[yatesracing]

You beat me to it -----------------------------------

Busch won the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship in 2004, the first ever ... of only 22 drivers with a win in all three of NASCAR's top divisions: Sprint Cup Series; ... That led to a tryout in a Roush Racing "Gong Show", which he won

[yatesracing]

It's funny but I could handle Dodge but those other two

UNFORGIVABLE

[yatesracing]

Mr Right be ready for some swift rebuttals. All you have to do is read in between the lines. ALL members are not here because they are FORD FANS. ;)

No sarcasm intended just some facts.

[Mr.Right]

Mr Right be ready for some swift rebuttals. All you have to do is read in between the lines. ALL members are not here because they are FORD FANS. ;)

No sarcasm intended just some facts.

I expect it! :cool:
...it's not easy being a Kurt Busch/Ford Racing NA$CAR fan! :~: :eek: :lol:

[Dog]

I expect it! :cool:
...it's not easy being a Kurt Busch/Ford Racing NA$CAR fan! :~: :eek: :lol:

I understand!




The IMPOSSIBLE may just become REALITY!

[DeeDee]

I won't spend a dollar or a cent at Best Buy if they sponsor Kurt.
Ditto that Andrew!

[RacingDude]

Ditto that Andrew!

[nods in agreement]

I've never said this about any other sponsor with the exception of Hellmann's (after they dropped Kelly Bires), so that should say a lot.

[yatesracing]

Opportunities there for Kurt Busch

It's nice to hear -- though it's hardly unexpected -- that Kurt Busch has Sprint Cup opportunities. It's also not surprising that Busch's availability on the open market has spawned waves of rumor and innuendo that verge on the ridiculous, as occurred Tuesday when Busch was connected-- prematurely, it seems -- with Richard Petty Motorsports.

Busch was contacted via text message and replied to a query about what he was up to by texting back, "Talking to everybody. Just talking." So it seems to be a matter of time before Busch establishes a deal that will put him in a car for Daytona -- though its level in the Cup garage is far from assured.

Busch does have one deal in place

TAG Heuer Eyewear announced a multi-year extension of Busch's role as an ambassador for the company and its products, which began in 2010. In 2011, TAG Heuer created a Kurt Busch collector edition pair of sunglasses that was made available at U.S. retailers.

"Kurt has truly been an excellent ambassador for the TAG Heuer Eyewear brand," said Guillaume Pottecher, president of Premiere Vision, U.S. distributor for TAG Heuer Eyewear. "TAG Heuer is affiliated with leading personalities and properties around the sports and entertainment world and Kurt fits that role perfectly. He is unquestionably one of the premier talents in NASCAR and in his work for us on every occasion he has gone above and beyond what we could expect of him. We very much look forward to the future together with Kurt."

[DeeDee]

[nods in agreement]

I've never said this about any other sponsor with the exception of Hellmann's (after they dropped Kelly Bires), so that should say a lot.

That's funny that you mentioned Hellmanns. I wrote them when they dropped Kelly and stopped buying there product.

[JiggaStyles09]

That's funny that you mentioned Hellmanns. I wrote them when they dropped Kelly and stopped buying there product.

me too, i remember when that happened.

[yatesracing]

Bet there is lots of quiet meetings going on between RPM and Roush/FORD, of course with lots of denials too. There can't be any doubt that Roush/FORD doesn't want to see Kurt in a FORD again.
Will this die down and Kurt end up somewhere other than a FORD team or turn into an ugly situation?
What do you think?

[Mr.Right]

Bet there is lots of quiet meetings going on between RPM and Roush/FORD, of course with lots of denials too. There can't be any doubt that Roush/FORD doesn't want to see Kurt in a FORD again.
Will this die down and Kurt end up somewhere other than a FORD team or turn into an ugly situation?
What do you think?

Roush is contracted by Ford to supply chassis & engines to other Ford teams. RPM is basically a customer to RFR. As long as the check clears I don't see anything changing there....
RPM needs to do what ever is in the best interests of their own team, much like RFR did when they (apparently) signed the #43's main sponsor.

Kurt Busch isn't going to jump on a deal with an un-sponsored/underfunded team right away without weighing in all offers, and sadly it looks like the whole #43 team is in question right now.

As I posted earlier, A.J. does appear to have a fallback option as he is part owner in Michael Shank's Indycar effort, and I don't believe they've named a driver for 2012 yet.

[yatesracing]

sadly it looks like the whole #43 team is in question right now. ------I'm hoping everything falls into place and shortly ;)

As far as the Roush ,Kurt deal, touchy situation. I get the feeling Roush doesn't get over it when he is dealt a bad deal. When Kurt jumped over to Penske --Roush never expected it and that's hard to get over.

In fact I think a lot of fans were shock

[Michael Bachman]

I wouldn't mind a 3rd RPM car, but I don't see Kurt changing his stripes. Earnhardt was still a dirty driver spinning out competitors that last full season he drove in 2000 (Elliot Sadler at Bristol, Sadler won the following year at Bristol for his first ever Cup win after Earnhardt passed).

I wonder what car number it would be? Hopefully something with more tradtion than the #19. I would love to see the #28 on the track again. Maybe Kurt could revive the #97? Rusty has a nice run with the #27 from 1986-90.

[yatesracing]

Micheal. I'm assuming you don't really care one way or another should Kurt come back to FORD. Oh and 3 cars for RPM sounds sweet to me.

[Mr.Right]

If sponsorship were to materialize for a 3rd RPM team, my guess would be #44...although i'd like to see a good Ford team pick up the #28.
I'd hate to see "Davey's #" on a Chevy or Toyota, thats as 'sacred' to me (and other Allison fans) as the #3 is to the Earnhardt fanbase....

[racinfan]

Didn't like AJ, good call on their part.

[TeamBlueOval]

Didn't like AJ, good call on their part.

Two questions ...

Any particular reason you don't like him? He seems to be one of the more likeable guys out there IMO.

Second, just because you don't like him, how does that make firing him a good call? I don't like Jeff Gordon, but Hendrick would be stupid to fire him.

And, finally, it looks like this story was wrong. Best Buy is leaving, and Kurt doesn't appear destined to drive for RPM anymore.

[Mr.Right]

Kurt Busch's talks with RPM are still in the early stages (I read an article last night saying that another meeting is scheduled for this week) but RPM isn't likely to sign Kurt, A.J., or any other driver to a long-term deal without sufficient sponsorship. Knowing this, I wouldn't be surprised if A.J. is looking at other opportunities, too...

[yatesracing]

Andrew----Best Buy is leaving, and Kurt doesn't appear destined to drive for RPM anymore. >>>#1. I really can't see anyone overriding Roush's wishes and #2 . Have you read anything on where "Best Buy" might be headed?

[TeamBlueOval]

Best Buy is talking to the 17, 20, and 29 teams according to Jim Utter.

AJ is under contract and told Dave Moody that he is not allowed to look for other jobs. That would make him in breach of his contract, and would be grounds for RPM to release him without paying him. He doesn't want that to happen.

[yatesracing]

AJ is being very smart.

Now about Best Buy , Doesn't Sadler and DJ have something to do with a company who handles any transaction that Best Buy may signs with. I remember something about that.

[RacingDude]

I'm hoping Best Buy goes to the #17 if they have to leave RPM... would rather not see them leave so AJ can stay, though. He's one of the real loyal drivers in NASCAR.

[racinfan]

Two questions ...

Any particular reason you don't like him? He seems to be one of the more likeable guys out there IMO.

Second, just because you don't like him, how does that make firing him a good call? I don't like Jeff Gordon, but Hendrick would be stupid to fire him.

And, finally, it looks like this story was wrong. Best Buy is leaving, and Kurt doesn't appear destined to drive for RPM anymore.

AJ hasn't done anything in that car since he's been in it. That and I have a grudge against him for wrecking Kahne at Pocono severely.

[yatesracing]

ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THIS ONE IN 2010 ,IF SO YOU BLAME AJ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNbhBFT2Frs

A very exciting finish to the pocono 500, Kasey Khane nearly goes over the wall and theres a big crash and Joey Logano isnt to happy with Kevin Harvick. And why theres no fencing I do not know.

[yatesracing]

' Not my comment" found it under the video----------"Crazy finish, just a complete mess really...Surprised they hardly mentioned Ambrose, he hit the wall 150mph nearly head on. I personally think he took a harder hit than Kasey."

and you blame AJ FOR THIS MESS ---get real

This mess wasn't started intentionally by any one driver, altho Harvick was all over the track and could have started that mess.

[yatesracing]

AJ hasn't done anything in that car since he's been in it. That and I have a grudge against him for wrecking Kahne at Pocono severely. Your reason doesn't hold any water. No driver intentionally wrecked Kahne, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
14 -- Kasey Kahne
15 +1 A.J. Allmendinger

AJ hasn't done anything in that car since he's been in it.>>>>>>>Kasey has been in a cup car much longer than AJ and it still looks like AJ is right on his bumper.

[TeamBlueOval]

AJ hasn't done anything in that car since he's been in it. That and I have a grudge against him for wrecking Kahne at Pocono severely.

Who was the last driver to "do anything" in that car? Richard Petty? AJ has been giving the 43 it's best seasons in YEARS!

[yatesracing]

now now Andrew you don't want anyone saying we are picking on Kasey and if someone is offended who will they complain too LOL

[RacingDude]

AJ hasn't done anything in that car since he's been in it. That and I have a grudge against him for wrecking Kahne at Pocono severely.

He started out in that car when it was a brand new team with NO points in '09, and didn't even know if he was going to last more than 8 RACES, let alone the whole season, but not only did he qualify on time for the first five races, he actually held a top 20 points position that far into the season, leading to sponsorship that would last until the end of 2011, which is now.

Sure, he hasn't won yet, but he's awful close. I think he could get a win if he's able to stay in his ride. After all, he finished top 15 in points and had double digit top 10's for the first time in his career this year. Considering how his career started out at first, that's a lot of progress. And back in 2007, I was one of those who thought AJ wouldn't even get one top 10 before he was run out of the sport.

[Dog]

Any particular reason you don't like him? He seems to be one of the more likeable guys out there IMO.


Personally, I don't really like him. Not that I dislike him either. I'm neutral on him. Honestly, I'm not a fan of the former F1/CART/Indy/etc drivers that had little to no experience before going cup racing. (ususally)