Keselowski joins Penske but note the fine print

Take a close look at part of the release announcing that Brad Keselowski will join Penske in Cup.

"Keselowski, a 25-year-old native of Rochester Hills, Mich., will drive the No. 12 Penske Dodge in the NASCAR Cup Series next season. He will also run a full-season schedule in the 2010 Nationwide Series where he will compete for a championship with the team.''

Hmmm. Did you notice the first sentence and the length that it says Keselowski will drive for Penske in Cup. it says NEXT SEASON. Typically, such announcements state that a driver has signed a multi-year deal.

Now, think back to just before the Bristol race and to the words of car owner Rick Hendrick, who has had Keselowski in his camp in Nationwide and Cup, about Keselowski and his future.

"...wherever he goes, he'll always be close enough for me to get him and bring him back,'' Hendrick said that night. "Make sure all the other car owners know I said that. He's a heck of a talent. He'll never be far enough away that I can't find him and bring him back.''

Hmmm. Let's see. Mark Martin's deal to run the No. 5 car fulltime expires after next season. While Martin could race fulltime into his 70s and be competitive, one gets the sense that this was an all-out two-year return to fulltime racing before backing to a part-time schedule again (hard to see him just retiring). So that would leave the 5 ride open next year -- a ride some thought Keselowski would get before Martin was signed.

Also recall that Penske has 23-year-old Justin  Allgaier, who has been impressive in Nationwide this season, ranking sixth in points with 10 top-10s in 25 starts. Allgaier will spend another season in Nationwide and then likely move up to the No. 12 car in a scenario where Keselowski moves back to Hendrick to take over the No. 5 car.

Hmmm.

With all this moving and shaking, don't forget that David Stremme is out of a ride after this season with vacating the No. 12 car for Keselowski. So, that means Stremme is looking for a ride. Among others looking is Jamie McMurray, whose team is moving from Roush Fenway Racing to Yates Racing and he's been told if he can find something else, he can. One would expect Eric Darnell to possibly get that ride provided his 7-race run in the 96 car doesn't blow up. And Bobby Labonte, who is being replaced in those 7 races by Darnell (related to sponsorship) also could be looking for something if Hall of Fame Racing doesn't get an alliance with another team (and sponsorship) to bring him along.

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Calling NASCAR fans ... The Cup Series is back in the South for the first time since 2003 when Darlington held its last race on that date before the race moved to California. ... Wanted to hear what fans in the South think of the race being back in this region on Labor Day. ... E-mail me at dustin.long@news-record.com and include your location and a phone number that I might reach you at in the next few days. Thanks.

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