One of the hottest stories in the garage Thursday was intense speculation that veteran team owner Chip Ganassi may be considering selling his two-team NASCAR operation to John Menard. Menard, who owns the Midwestern home improvement chain Menards, is a long-time racer, and he is currently sponsoring his son Paul's NASCAR team, part of the Richard Childress organization. Ganassi and Childress are both Chevy men. Childress supplied Ganassi's two teams (with #1-Jamie McMurray and #42-Juan Pablo Montoya) with engines until this season, when Ganassi switched to Hendrick motors. Of the sport's top eight team owners, Ganassi this season ranks seventh in finishes. Of particular disappointment is Montoya, who is averaging a 27th place finish; Montoya's last top-10 was at Michigan last June, and his last tour win was at Watkins Glen in the summer of 2010. McMurray's seventh at Martinsville last weekend was his best finish in over a year.(MikeMulhern.net)

With Robby's long time relationship with Menard, would have to think this could open the door for some opportunities (even if it's single race deals) for Robby in the future. Obvious Paul Menard would be one of the drivers and Menard keeping Montoya or McMurray (pending sponsorship) or add Paul as a 3rd team.

This could be another blow to RCR who is losing Kevin Harvick and his sponsors. RCR would be left with a near retiring Jeff Burton and young grandson Dillion. It appears Childress is investing so much into his grandsons that it's driving away other drivers.

If Dillion is successful RCR will thrive again, if not, Childress will likely follow Junior Johnson and Robert Yates as they watch their empires crumble.