My Predictions

It's been a solid off-season this year, but there are still a few rides that are looking for drivers for 2011. Here's my prediction on who ends up where.

Gagliardo Motorsports- Reports from all over came in saying that Jeff Strunk had left the Gagliardo Motorsports 41 car at the conclusion of the 2010 season. Strunk initially appeared destined to return to BPG Motorsports and run weekly on the PA small block circuit in a team's third car, but then Bridgeport announced it would not run big blocks weekly, which essentially meant that Duane Howard would continue to run Grandview weekly, eliminating any chance for a third car. Norm Hansell then became the apparent next destination for Strunk, but Hansell and Strunk could not agree on a percentage which all but eliminated that deal. While all that was going on it looked like a lock that Glenn Strunk would take over as the full-time driver for the Gagliardo Motorsports team. Now, with other offers seemingly evaporated, it looks like Jeff Strunk will return to the seat of the 41 car. Rumors are now swirling that the team will field to entries in 2011.

Prediction: Two car team with the brothers Jeff and Glenn Strunk getting the nod.

Norm Hansell Motorsports- Ryan Godown and Norm Hansell seemed to have almost no luck in 2010, which led to the two parting ways following the season. Hansell and Jeff Strunk appeared to be headed towards a deal until a dispute in negotiations changed those plans. Now, the rumor mill for Hansell has been fairly quiet. Hansell likes to have big name drivers in his cars. Fred Rahmer, Meme DeSantis, Stewart Friesen, Duane Howard, Rick Laubach, Billy Pauch, Doug Hoffman, and Ryan Godown are just some of the big name guys that have driven for Hansell. The problem is, there aren't many big name drivers that are available to run two nights a week. Rick Laubach and Hansell dominated Big Diamond in 2009 together, but he probably won't be available for Saturday night racing. Wade Hendrickson is another possibility, but he's not interested in traveling from New Jersey to Pennsylvania twice a weekend.

Prediction: I'm totally lost on this one, although Rick Laubach makes the most sense.

Breitenstein Motorsports- After a successful run with Doug Manmiller, lack of funding caused team and driver to part ways. When the announcement came via Brett Deyo, it appeared that Breitenstein Motorsports was going to sit out the 2011 season. However, news has been flowing in and it looks like the long-time team will return to racing at Grandview Speedway this season. Originally, Brad Grim seemed like a perfect fit for the team since he could provide a bit of help in funding and parts with the team. However, Grim was never truly considered. Another possibility early in the off-season was veteran Shawn Reimert, but the two didn't come to any agreements. The other possibility all off-season has been Kenny Gilmore, who has driven for Breitenstein in the past.

Prediction: The team runs in 2011, and Kenny Gilmore is their driver.

Mike Petruska Racing- After two years, four track championships, a mini-series title, one Eastern States 200 win, and a Hard Clay Challenge win; Mike Petruska parted ways with Jerry Higbie. The rumor came out early in the off-season that the two would be splitting, but that rumor was shot down by Higbie. However, the news came later that indeed, Petruska and Higbie were done. When rumors first started flying, Clinton Mills was rumored to be the successor for Higbie. Another obvious possibility was the only person other than Higbie to drive for Petruska in 2011; Danny Johnson. The other possibility was Michael Storms, who lost his ride with the Four Star Racing team late in 2010.

Prediction: Danny Johnson after the Area Auto article. Had you have asked me two days ago, I'd have bet on Michael Storms taking over the ride.