Where Will They Be in ‘08?

The Silly Season heading into the 2008 season has really shaken things up a bit in NASCAR Nation, but the closer we get to Daytona, the closer we also get to seeing an end to all of the madness.  Here’s a quick recap of where some of the sport’s greats and not-so-greats will be in 2008:

- Dale Earnhardt Jr moves from DEI’s no. 8 to Hendrick Motorsports to drive the no. 88

- Casey Mears moves from Hendrick’s no. 25 car to the no. 5.  The no. 25 is officially retired.

- Kyle Busch moves from Hendrick’s no. 5 to Joe Gibbs’ no. 18.

- Mark Martin moves from running part-time in the no. 1 to running part-time to DEI’s no. 8.  He will split duties with Aric Almirola.

- JJ Yeley moves from Gibbs’ no. 18 to HOF Racing’s no. 96.

- Ragan Smith will take over full-time in the DEI no. 1.

- Ward Burton is hired to drive the no. 4 for Morgan-Mclure.

- Patrick Carpentier to drive the no. 10 for Gillett Evernham Motorsports.

- Jacques Villeneuve will drive the no. 27 for Bill Davis Racing.

- Dario Franchitti moves to NASCAR to drive Chip Gannassi’s no. 40.

- Dale Jarrett will retire following the first five races of 2008. After that, David Reutimann will come on to finish out the season in the no. 44 for Michael Waltrip Racing.

- John Andretti returns to drive the no. 49 for BAM Racing.

- In a move that occurred at the end of 2007, Jeremy Mayfield will drive the no. 66 for Haas CNC.

- Sam Hornish Jr. joins the NASCAR ranks to drive the no. 77 for Penske Racing.

Drivers currently without a ride for the 2008 season:

- Mike Bliss

- Tony Raines

- Jeff Green

- Chad Chaffin

- Ken Schrader

- Johnny Sauter

- Sterling Marlin

- Scott Wimmer

- Mike Wallace

- Kenny Wallace

- David Stremme

- Kirk Shelmerdine

- Ron Fellows

- Boris Said