A failed drug test at Kentucky and subsequent suspension at Daytona - then firing from Penske - did more than lose AJ Allmendinger his ride in NASCAR. It opened the door to one of the silliest seasons in the Sprint Cup Series and this year's version of musical race seats.
With Allmendinger off the track and taking care of his personal business, Sam Hornish Jr. stepped into the No. 22 Shell / Pennzoil Dodge. Hornish soon found himself doing double duty, competing for the Nationwide Series championship while helping keep the Cup team head's above water. And Hornish hasn't done that bad of a job, impressing many and starting the whispers of who should be in the car full-time.
Those whispers quickly died down when Matt Kenseth not only announced he was leaving Roush - Fenway Racing but reports ran wild that he was going to join Joe Gibbs Racing. That meant more dominoes needed to fall, such as who Kenseth would replace or if another JGR car was going to be added to the stable.
Yet, as details started to emerge of Kenseth's new home with JGR it became clear that Joey Logano was also going to be someplace else in 2013. Penske and the 22 was the logical choice, although many held out hope that the Captain, Roger Penske, would keep the seat in-house and reward Hornish's efforts.
That didn't happen. Kenseth is going to Logano's ride at JGR and Logano is going into Allmendinger / Hornish's ride at Penske. It's the NASCAR snowball effect, one thing leads to another. When one car opens .. well, you get the idea.
Fortunately for Hornish, he still has a job in '13 as he'll remain with Penske, running a full-time NNS schedule again with hopes of Cup races.
But ...
What if AJ Allmendinger was still in the 22, and with Kenseth going to JGR, where would Logano have ended up in 2013 since the 22 would be unavailable?
@17FordFan Logano would stay at JGR and run full NNS and possible NSCS races if they had sponsor $
@chuckallen2 Probably full time JGR Nationwide/ PT Cup deal. Although nothing was indicating that AJ would keep it regardless.
@HD388 Logano would go back to the Nationwide Series for JGR til sponsorship for a 4th car could be found but
@abullins I've heard Penske started talking to Logano before Kentucky so it would still be his probably.
