Major driver-swap nearing completion for 2006

It will involve Kurt Busch and Jamie McMurray and a third to be named.
WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL
HAMPTON, Ga. -- This will be the crucial week for a decision, Roush Racing president Geoff Smith says, in the long-running driver-swap negotiations involving Jack Roush's Kurt Busch, Chip Ganassi's Jamie McMurray, and Roger Penske.
"If it's going to happen, it will happen this week," Smith said, "and I think the probability is much more now toward the transaction working than falling apart, based on everyone's intentions."
If it does happen, McMurray would join Roush, and Busch would join Penske.
"In order for it to work, there has to be a driver for Chip," Smith said. "Ten days ago it wasn't working for Chip, but now it can work, so I presume he's got somebody."
Could be Rudd
That could be Ricky Rudd, who isn't saying what his 2006 plans are, but who is reportedly very close to a decision simply to retire at the end of the season.
Or it could be Bobby Labonte.
Or Labonte could be headed to Bill Davis, according to sources. If Labonte leaves Chevrolet's Joe Gibbs to join the soon-to-be-Toyota Davis team as Michael Waltrip's teammate, that would be a major pick up by Toyota, expected to join the Nextel Cup tour for the 2007 season.
If Davis doesn't get Labonte, he will likely get Dave Blaney, according to sources. Blaney, from Hartford in Trumbull County, once drove for Davis.
Penske officials, saying that Rudd isn't one of their options, agree that this is the week that will tell the tale, and they agree with Smith that the complicated deal will in fact be completed.
Gibbs is expected to announce his 2006 plans for fledgling Nextel Cup drivers Denny Hamlin and J. J. Yeley this week. Hamlin looks like a strong pick for Gibbs' FedEx-sponsored new third team, and a multi-year contract could be revealed this week. And Yeley, if Labonte moves, could take that ride.
12 different pieces
"There are 12 different pieces to make this three-way transaction," Smith said of the Roush-Ganassi-Penske negotiations. "And we have three-quarters of that buttoned up completely, and everyone is trying to close up the rest. There is momentum to close, and I'd say if it doesn't close this week it will fall apart.
"But everyone is working to close. However if all the pieces aren't completed, there is no deal.
"Part of the 12: You've got a new Jamie deal with Roush for 2006, and then Jamie from Chip, and then Chip has to have a new driver, and Chip has to make a deal with his sponsor, and Chip has to make a deal with releasing Roush and Penske, and then Roger has his deal with Kurt, and his deal with his sponsor, and he has to deal with us. And then we have to deal with two of our sponsors, Rubbermaid-Newell and Crown Royal, and they not only have to agree with the scenario but they have to agree with each other on how the program will proceed.
"And things come up. A lot of things came up along the way, making this transition from theory to reality.
"But everybody is really a long way down the road. There are just a few open pieces and we're all working to get it done."
Other options
Blaney is also under consideration for the ride with Beth Ann Morgenthau, replacing Ken Schrader, who is headed to the Wood brothers. Blaney and the Morgenthaus have been talking since July, according to sources. Blaney currently runs for Richard Childress.