Developments: Cheever, Ganassi, Ward, Unser

[mario]

Cheever has postponed his driver announcement. TSL says the Ganassi/Ward rumour is persisting and it might be a 2 car team with Unser. To me, the Cheever-Ganassi situation is related. This is a puzzle and someone is trying to figure out what pieces to put where. Cheever is waiting because if Unser/Ganassi doesn't happen then TG puts Unser in Cheever's 2d car. Foyt might also be in the mix on this.

[Lawn Moore]

here's a little more on the situation..... http://www.racingone.com/article.asp?artnum=11963

[mnkywrch]

From the article:

The team has scheduled a press conference for 3 p.m. Feb. 5 at California Speedway to unveil its new car colors and announce a new sponsor.

Sounds like Unser to me... unless Tomas Scheckter is bringing a sponsor.

[CRISTAL FAN]

"Foyt might also be in the mix on this"...

For Unser??

[gofastturnleft]

These two deals are getting curioser and curioser. I don't know if this is really is complex as it seems.

Maybe the IRL has added a drama grad to the PR staff to spice things up a little?


www.tracksidelive.net

[mds24]

Originally posted by mnkywrch:
<STRONG>From the article:



Sounds like Unser to me... unless Tomas Scheckter is bringing a sponsor.</STRONG>

The situation is a little fluid at the time but the announcement next week is just the new car and sponsor -- not a driver.

There is some interesting speculation going around but nothing confirmed.

[Racemind]

The Cheever delay tells me one clear thing: that he isn't overly impressed with anyone he's tested so far. Or put another way, his options may all be good but none stand out.

This isn't good for Buddy Rice. I wonder if his test times were off?

[mario]

"The Cheever delay tells me one clear thing: that he isn't overly impressed with anyone he's tested so far."

It could also mean that the person he wants (or the person TG wants him to hire) is in limbo because an effort is being made to place that person in a Ganassi ride. Nothing will be done until TG decides where he is going to put Unser.

[mds24]

Or it could be that Cheever is not happy that he may not have had the final say so on who was to be announced Friday pushed by others (other than TG even) and Cheever decided to put the brakes on.

There are a pile of "could be" angles here

[rev-ed]

Originally posted by mario:
[QBIt could also mean that the person he wants (or the person TG wants him to hire) is in limbo because an effort is being made to place that person in a Ganassi ride. Nothing will be done until TG decides where he is going to put Unser.[/QB]

Why do you assume that TG is calling the shots for AL Junior? I've heard that any ties which were once there have now been cut.

BTW - Foyt isn't in the middle of this one from what I hear.

[Racemind]

I've also wondered that, Rev. The only place I see comments about TG acting as Al Jr's placement director are on this board -- and usually from one of our 'friends'.

[mario]

"Why do you assume that TG is calling the shots for AL Junior? I've heard that any ties which were once there have now been cut."

RM has reported and is still reporting that TG is legally obligated to pay Al his $3-$4mm in 02. I know that Fueler previously posted that TG terminated that deal when Al supposedly caused the Bud deal to crater. I don't know who is right. Maybe Fueler can give us an update. If TG is on the hook as I am assuming, I think he is arranging the seat. If there wasn't an outside influence here, Cheever could have and would have pulled the trigger on someone by now in my view.

[JoeBob]

Here's Speedvision's take:
http://www.speedvision.com/pub/artic...L/020130a.html

He will evaluate his choices further during the upcoming Test in the West sessions at Phoenix and Fontana, but will have a press conference to show the team’s new look and sponsor on February 5 at California Speedway.

Cheever had tested four drivers, and the only word was that he had narrowed his choice down to one of the quartet of Tomas Scheckter, Jeff Ward, Daniel Wheldon and Buddy Rice. But Tuesday, Cheever said that there are now a couple of drivers in hunt for the No. 52 seat that are not in that quartet.

[Racemind]

So if we are to untangle this, could one scenario be that:

- Red Bull wants Tom S., but Cheever wants Unser.

- Unser would like to go to Cheever, but also has an offer from Foyt.

- If Red Bull wins, then Tom S. goes to Cheever and Unser will accept the Foyt #14. Beechler would be out.

- If Cheever wins, then Unser is in at Cheever and Beechler is (hopefully?) in at Foyt.

Now, what about Ganassi? How do TCGR and Wardy figure in?

[dog-ring]

Originally posted by mario:
<STRONG>"Why do you assume that TG is calling the shots for AL Junior? I've heard that any ties which were once there have now been cut."

RM has reported and is still reporting that TG is legally obligated to pay Al his $3-$4mm in 02. I know that Fueler previously posted that TG terminated that deal when Al supposedly caused the Bud deal to crater. I don't know who is right. Maybe Fueler can give us an update. If TG is on the hook as I am assuming, I think he is arranging the seat. If there wasn't an outside influence here, Cheever could have and would have pulled the trigger on someone by now in my view.</STRONG>

Oh that does it for me, it must be Gospel if RM said it