Who's in, who's out as the drivers' merry-go-round spins

In the final year of his contract with Penske Racing and unhappy with the team's performance, Ryan Newman wanted to weigh his options for the 2009 season. Instead, the Penske organization decided to move on without him, and announced it was cutting ties with Newman effective the end of the year.


July 9

• Add another line to Tony Stewart's resume: team owner. Joe Gibbs Racing announced it has agreed to release Stewart, a two-time Cup Series champion, from the final year of his contract. In turn, Stewart is purchasing what is believed to be a 50 percent stake in Haas CNC Racing and will drive for the team in 2009.

July 4

• Team owner Rick Hendrick and veteran driver Mark Martin, 49, announced a multi-year deal that places Martin in Hendrick Motorsports' No. 5 Chevrolet. Hendrick said he thought placing Martin, who last competed full time in Cup in 2006, with highly regarded young crew chief Alan Gustafson would only be a positive for his organization and the fans.

July 1

• Aric Almirola won't need a Christmas present this December, because he just received a gift that he promises he'll play with all year long. Dale Earnhardt Inc. officials confirmed that Almirola will drive the No. 8 Chevrolet in all 36 races in 2009. Almirola finished eighth at Bristol in his DEI debut, which apparently accelerated discussions with the team about his immediate future.

• Chip Ganassi Racing officials announced the team will shut down the No. 40 Sprint Cup Series entry driven by rookie Dario Franchitti, effective immediately. The team cited a "lack of sponsorship funding" for cutting back the No. 40 team. Ganassi's No. 41, driven by Reed Sorenson, and the No. 42, driven by Montoya, will remain full-time.
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Also: Franchitti looking for a ride, still shocked at shutdown

June 27

• Hendrick Motorsports announced that Casey Mears would not be returning to its No. 5 car next season, a de facto dismissal that becomes the first domino to topple in what is sure to be a long line of them before this season is over.
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Video: Mears finds leaving Hendrick hard to do

• After weeks of saying he was close to signing a contract extension with Roush Fenway Racing, Greg Biffle announced at New Hampshire that he will drive the No. 16 Ford through 2011, with 3M continuing as his sponsor.

• Clint Bowyer returned to Loudon, site of his first Cup victory in September 2007, and chose that opportunity to confirm he has signed a contract extension with Richard Childress Racing through 2011.

June 11

• At the same time Petty Enterprises had entered into a partnership with private equity firm Boston Ventures, it was announced that Bobby Labonte had reached a four-year extension to remain in the famed 43 car.
May 2

• Carl Edwards brokered his own deal to remain at Roush Fenway Racing, announcing a multi-year extension. Jack Roush confirmed the deal was for three years. Aflac will become the No. 99 car's primary sponsor beginning in 2009.