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December 22, 2006

NASCAR News Rewind
It's a G-Day Mate Edition
By Dennis Michelsen

Every week so much happens in the world of NASCAR. As a public service we will attempt to wrap up the three biggest stories of the week in one easy to follow story every week. Just because we can't resist being wise guys we will also present our take on the news!

Ambrose Makes Announcement on 2007 Plans
Australian businessman Craig Gore has finalized a deal with Wood Brothers-JTG Racing which will see Team Australia/Aussie Vineyards branding on the back quarter panel of Ambrose's #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford for all 35 rounds of next year's Busch Series. Part of the agreement will also see a full Team Australia/Aussie Vineyards entry in a minimum of two, and up to 10, NASCAR Nextel Cup events. Ambrose will campaign the full Team Australia/Aussie Vineyards entry in Nextel Cup road course events at Infineon Raceway at Sonoma, California on June 24 and at Watkins Glen International Raceway in New York State on August 12. (BAM Media PR)

My Take: Marcos Ambrose showed a lot of improvement as the 2006 Craftsman Truck season went along. Is he ready for Nextel Cup yet? Based on his current level of skills I would say no. But Marcos Ambrose's background is on road course racing and those are the first races he will attempt in Nextel Cup. It will be interested to see how well Marcos Ambrose can do at the Busch level this year. Quite a few Aussie dollars are betting on him to succeed!

Yates and Ricky Rudd Back Together Again
Masterfoods USA announced it will sponsor a second entry with Robert Yates Racing in 2007 with Snickers Brand as the primary sponsor. Veteran driver Ricky Rudd will return to RYR to drive after a one-year break from competition. Joining Snickers to support the program are Pedigree Brand Food for Dogs and Combos Brand Snacks. Each will hold the primary sponsor position on the second car for a combined seven events during the 2007 season. Additionally, Masterfoods' brands Twix, Milky Way, Skittles and Starburst will serve as associate sponsors on Rudd's Ford during the 36-race schedule. (Elevation Group PR)

My Take: Ricky Rudd is one of the classiest drivers to ever strap into a car in NASCAR racing. When he left the sport there was no farewell tour and Ricky made it clear he might come back if the right situation came along. Not only is he returning to the sport he has the unique opportunity to help Robert Yates Racing get back to the top! This will be one of the more interesting stories to follow in 2007.

Carter Leaves MWR for Roush
Larry Carter has left Michael Waltrip Racing to join Roush Racing, MWR general manager Ty Norris said Wednesday. Carter had been a part of building of MWR from the beginning and was slated to serve as crew chief for rookie #00-David Reutimann in 2007. He told Norris of his decision to leave shortly after Matt Borland was named crew chief for #44-Dale Jarrett earlier this month. Norris refused to call Carter's departure a setback. "We only need people who are willing to sacrifice themselves for a period of time for the betterment of our company," he said Wednesday. "You're either in the mode to do it or you do not want to. There were a couple of people who were not willing to do it." Norris said Carter was given an out in his contract. Carter will be McMurray's fourth crew chief at Roush Racing in less than a year. McMurray began last season with crew chief Jimmy Fennig, then inherited Bob Osborne from Carl Edwards' team in April. Osborne returned to Edwards for the final two races and Wally Brown, who has since left Roush Racing for Joe Gibbs Racing, finished out the year with McMurray. (ESPN.com)

My Take: Toyota teams have done the right things trying to bring talented crew chiefs to their teams. Larry Carter was one of the guys responsible for getting things ready to go over at Michael Waltrip Racing. Now he has left abruptly to work for Jack Roush. Is this a sign of trouble over at MWR or a case of Roush Racing writing a bigger check to get the crew chief they wanted for Jamie McMurray? More will come out on this story in the weeks ahead!