Potential for a second team?

Haven't heard anything about this in a long time. Maybe someone in the know can shed some light on the subject. Is there any potential at all for a second team? There are some good young drivers that would be a good fit with Robby (McDowell, Allmendinger Regan Smith) and Jacques Villeneuve was thought to be trying hard with Robby to start a second team. This year would be the perfect time to go to 2 teams, with the likelihood that the #01, #15, #22, and #00 will not be around next year. Any new news?

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Permalink Reply by Bigzoom on October 15, 2008 at 10:09am

NONE!

I was getting pretty frequent info during the last few months, but it appears Robby has let go of some guys or either made a in-house statement to keep things "in-house." There was alot of info being leaked, like the lawsuit, DEI talks, MWR talks, Riggs, etc. Since the DEI talks, nothing! Tight lipped. Even Robby has kept his comments to a minimal.
If any info comes out it will be from the other side, not RGM's side.

Robby seems to have really shook things up and is looking to rebuild more than just a good team...but trust!

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Permalink Reply by Bill on October 15, 2008 at 4:38pm

Good for him for trying building a team he can trust. That's what's going to get him through next year
(and years to come). He needs to hold his cards close and always be on the offensiveness side if he is going to keep surviving and become a "top" contender.

Your info is much appreciated Bigzoom, but I can't say that I blame Robby's for shaking things up and getting a team together that is focused on one thing: Getting better.

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Permalink Reply by TexasKevin on October 15, 2008 at 10:17am

I know a second team gives you more info, but at this point there doesn't seem to be a lot of upside for it. I can't see him pulling in one of the younger guys. If RGM starts having a string of really good finishes and can court someone with a past champions provisional, I can see an upside.

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Permalink Reply by Lance on October 15, 2008 at 3:50pm

That is my point and I think Robby would agree that having a second team would be great. I realize that sponsorship is hard to come by and certainly you don't go to two teams if you can't fund it. All I am saying is the time is right to expand. The problem is there is no funding so unless JV or Allmendinger comes up with some funding, then it isn't doable. I guess I was just wondering if the JV deal could work or the Scott Riggs deal could work or if both of the deals were dead.

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Permalink Reply by john mcglasson on October 15, 2008 at 4:41pm

The only way I saw a 2nd team happening was with Paul Menard, I don't think it'll happen for '09.

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Permalink Reply by Bigzoom on October 15, 2008 at 5:24pm

The State Water Heaters deal is still unannounced.
State Waters has already went public saying they are looking for a new team for 2009 and will not return to Stewart / Haas.
Scott Riggs - during ABC's TV coverage of the Amp Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, Dr. Jerry Punch said that #66-Scott Riggs said he has a contract in hand to sign that would settle his 2009 plans. No word on what team Riggs will drive for, rumors include DEI, Petty Enterprises and Ganassi Racing ( My sources say DEI, Yates or RGM)

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Permalink Reply by Doug on October 15, 2008 at 6:15pm

Is yates still looking to expand? I was thinking with 3 drivers already they were done till roush sent over the team he is cutting putting both teams at the limit.

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Permalink Reply by T. Crane on October 15, 2008 at 8:49pm

Yates needs to get rid of Gilland. Dont get me wrong, I was rooting for the guy, his parents live here in Idaho, but he should have never been in Cup in the first place. The guy had one good Busch race and they put in Cup..Either he needed more time to develop or he just sucks, I am leaning toward sucks.

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Permalink Reply by GrayAntiMatter on October 16, 2008 at 9:11pm

A second Cup team and an opportunity to run as many Nationwide races as possible for RG, would both be positive things for RGM.

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Permalink Reply by Matt on October 15, 2008 at 6:20pm

"Scott Riggs will be going to DEI's 01 car with State Water Heaters, Coinstar, and Haagen-Daas on board for every race in 2009 except Darlington's Labor Day race in which Coinstar and Planbtech.net will be on board."

Taken from comments section on a website. Seems like too many specifics to be just a rumor...

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Permalink Reply by Saluki7 on October 15, 2008 at 6:49pm

Best to work a deal with Penske, that could open an Indy 500 ride for RG also.

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Permalink Reply by FlyHiFlyLo on October 16, 2008 at 3:17am

I don't think RG's biggest benifit from a second team is info sharing. I think it is more stratigic towards additional sponsorship doubts of a single car team and choking out a non top 35 team in 2009.