It's official for 2006

Elwood · November 7, 2005

Busch, McMurray will drive for new teams in '06

NASCAR.COM

November 7, 2005

03:35 PM EST (20:35 GMT)

Penske Racing South announced that defending Nextel Cup champion Busch will drive the Miller Lite Dodge commencing with the 2006 Nextel Cup season, while McMurray joins Roush Racing beginning next year with Newell-Rubbermaid and Diageo as primary sponsors of its Ford.

With McMurray leaving, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and its sponsor, Chevron Products Company, announced that Casey Mears will pilot the Texaco/Havoline Dodge starting in 2006.

"We are pleased that Kurt and Roush Racing were able to reach an agreement on Kurt's release and appreciate the professionalism that it has taken to arrive at this result," said Roger Penske, chairman of Penske Racing South.

"Kurt's joining us for 2006 will provide a smooth transition for the team and our sponsors."

Busch had recently signed a multi-year agreement with Penske that was to take effect in 2007. At the same time, Roush Racing announced that it had signed McMurray for next year. He also had earlier signed a multi-year deal that was to have begun in '07.

"We are thrilled that Crown Royal is becoming primary sponsor, and that we're partnering with one of the sport's rising talents in Jamie McMurray and one of racing's best teams in Roush," said Debra Kelly-Ennis, Chief Marketing Officer of Diageo.

"As we have witnessed with both Crown Royal and Smirnoff ICE, NASCAR continues to be a great platform for our responsible drinking programs, and we look forward to having an even greater presence in 2006 to continue these efforts."

McMurray's exodus opened a seat for Mears, who will have rookies David Stremme and Reed Sorenson as teammates.

"We've been working hard to find a driver solution for Texaco/Havoline and we are fortunate that we could offer them Casey," Ganassi said. "Some recent positive developments have allowed us to make this move and we couldn't be happier with how things are shaping up for the 2006 season.

"Casey is a driver and a person that we think a lot of and have a lot of faith in."

Busch, who is eighth in the current Chase for the Nextel Cup, said several elements were involved in the decision to leave Roush Racing.

"I have had a wonderful association with Roush Racing and we have been able to achieve much success together. I appreciate all that Jack Roush and the team has done for me and the professionalism shown in reaching an agreement with me on the release," Busch said.

"There were a lot of factors in play here, with Rusty's [Wallace] retirement and Jamie's driving contract with Roush. I believe the situation has worked out in the best interest of the drivers, the teams and the sponsors. I am excited about what lies ahead."

facn8me · November 7, 2005

Yeah just saw it myself. I was wondering though. Do you think TARGET will be upset knowing Mears is moving UP to the #42. You would figure both (#41 & #42) being cup cars it'd be a lateral move. Would you be upset to find out you were a lower teir sponser?