Monday, December 26th 'What If' Question

With Kurt Busch gone from Penske Racing and AJ Allmendinger gone from Richard Petty Motorsports, replacing Busch in the No. 22, the No. 43 previously driven by Allmendinger is up for grabs.

As of late last week the leading candidate for the position was Aric Almirola, the current driver of JR Motorsports No. 88 in the Nationwide Series. Almirola finished fourth in points last season after moving back to the NNS, he had been in the Cup Series, sharing a ride with Mark Martin at Dale Earnhardt Inc. back in 2008 before lack of sponsorship shut the team down.

Now with news that he could be headed back to the Cup Series his No. 88 becomes of the hottest seats available. JR Motorsports has helped put drivers like Brad Keselowski and Martin Truex Jr. on the NASCAR map. They contended for championships and won races as JRM has become one of the best driver development organizations in the NNS. Drivers are lining up to get their resume into team owner Dale Jr. for the 2012 season.

Those included might be Reed Sorenson, who lost his ride with Turner Motorsports midway through last season while he battled for the championship. Or even Cup drivers Brian Vickers, David Reutimann and David Ragan who have all lost their rides, might not mind racing for the sports most popular driver and winning races. A job is a job, regardless of the series.

Or will JRM again find a young talent who is waiting to get his shot? Drivers like Chase Eilliott and Darrell Wallace Jr. who are dominating in other divisions would love to get a jumpstart on their NASCAR careers.

No announcement has been made about the new driver of the No. 43 for RPM yet. Anything official would be announced after the New Year and with Almirola's name expected to be attached. He would get the nod over the aforementioned drivers of Ragan, Reutimann and Vickers, past Cup winners. They come with the Cup experience that many sponsors are after whereas Almirola has nothing but unpleasant Cup memories from his past. He'll be itching to erase those should get the chance, which Ragan, Reutimann and Vickers are hoping he doesn't.


But ...

What if Aric Almirola is announced as driver of the 43 for Petty, who should be next driver JR Motorsports gives a shot in the 88? #NASCAR

@cruetten I like Reed Sorenson, but my out-there pick is Reutimann

@chreister89 Would like to see @ColeWhitt get a chance at a good ride.

@HarpAmyStabler I think that JR Motorsports should give David Reutimann a shot for a second chance at his career.

@Race_Girl24_7 26 #givereutiaride

@HD388 hopin for Sorenson if the 88 opens up

@rcracer20 Reed Sorenson and Reutimann are good picks,but Cole Whitt has talent that needs to be expossed and JR can do it

@racinwithjason Matt DiBenedetto!!

@BONES6699 Ryan Truex... Or is he under contract with JGR?