NASCAR teams shuffle drivers

As the NASCAR “silly season” comes earlier and earlier, teams are announcing their driver lineups for the 2011 season.  The biggest name to change teams, Kasey Kahne, was just announced for the 2nd time this season.  It had already been reported that Kahne would be going to Hendrick Motorsports for the 2012 season, when Red Bull Racing announced this week that Kahne will be driving for them in 2011.  It is not clear if Kahne will be replacing Brian Vickers, who has been out much of the season with illness, or if he will replace underperforming Scott Speed, or will be in a third Red Bull car.

Also changing teams, Paul Menard was introduced as the newest driver for Richard Childress Racing.  RCR will put Menard in a 4th team car.

Menard is leaving Richard Petty Motorsports, but RPM is not hurting.  They just signed an extension to keep A.J. Almendinger.

It is also reported that Marcos Ambrose may be headed to Richard Petty Motorsports, after being replaced by Bobby Labonte at JTG Daugherty Racing.