AS THE RUMOR MILL CHURNS, 7/14/08

It looks as though David Stremme is one of the drivers being looked at to replace Ryan Newman in the #12 Dodge next season. It was announced earlier today that Newman, whose contract runs out at the end of the 2008 season, would not be re-signed by Penske Racing. -- SOURCE: David Poole of the Charlotte Observer

A contract between Newman and Stewart-Haas Racing “is nearly completed, just some ‘i’-dotting and ‘t’-crossing left” an industry source told Stock Car Talk earlier this morning.

One report has labeled the deal between Newman and SHR as “done”, and that the announcement of said deal will most likely happen next weekend at Indianapolis. – SOURCE: David Moody of Sirius Radio and the Motorsports Soapbox

There is a quiet rumbling off in the distance that Juan Pablo Montoya could be headed to Joe Gibbs Racing, either as the replacement for Tony Stewart in the #20 car or as the driver of a yet-be-created fourth team at JGR. It’s believed Montoya has an owner-controlled option in his contract for the 2009 season, and it’s highly unlikely that Ganassi Racing would not exercise that option.