Sadler will also drive for Kevin Harvick Inc/RCR in the Nationwide Series in the No. 2 Chevy.

Brendan Gaughan will take over driving duties of the No. 33 Cup Chevy the following week at Phoenix International Raceway, and will drive until the fifth race of the season at Auto Club Speedway.

The No. 33 is locked into the first five races of 2012 because the team finished 13th in points last season, while Clint Bowyer was the driver. Bowyer left in the offseason to join Michael Waltrip Racing.

The financial services institution will appear as primary sponsor on the car for five races in 2012: the March race at Bristol Motor Speedway, the April races at Martinsville Speedway and Richmond International Raceway, the May race at Darlington Raceway, and the June race at Dover International Speedway. BB&T will also be featured on a special paint scheme with Caterpillar during the Sprint All Star Race.

Team owner Richard Childress said:

BB&T has been a great partner of RCR over the years so we’re very pleased to renew our program with them. It’s always beneficial working with a partner like BB&T that has strong ties to the area.

Team owner Michael Waltrip said:

Brian is someone whose been on our radar for a very long time. He brings a strong technical background, along with great leadership and Chase experience. We have high hopes for Brian, Clint and the 5-hour ENERGY team heading into 2012 and we think this is the perfect mix of talent, experience and leadership.

Pattie added:

Michael Waltrip Racing is an up-and-coming team making improvements every day. I know how close it is to joining the upper echelon of the Sprint Cup Series. When I started talking with Michael about opportunities at MWR I really did my research and was impressed by their commitment to getting to the top of the sport. I feel like this is a great opportunity to join a new team with a new driver and start building something special. Clint’s proven how good he is and I know that will get even better in 2012.

Bowyer said:

I’ve known Brian Pattie for a long time and the thing that impresses me the most is how he calls a race and his knowledge of racecars. We both grew up working on dirt cars and have pretty similar backgrounds. We understand each other and I think we speak the same language. I know once we get together and start working we’re going to see great results.

Martin will drive 30 races, according to the report. Michael Waltrip, the team’s co-owner, is likely drive the restrictor plate events in that car.

Reutimann told FoxSports.com via a text message that he was informed of the decision this week.

Reutimann was re-signed by MWR in July of 2010. His contract was slated to end at the end of the 2012 Sprint Cup season.

MWR has also signed Clint Bowyer to drive the No. 15 MWR Camry with sponsorship from 5-Hour Energy. Both Bowyer and Martin will become teammates to Martin Truex Jr.

The news of Reutimann’s release is shocking, but understandable. Reutimann has struggled this season. He currently sits 28th in the championship points standings, with only two Top 10 finishes this season.

Update: It’s official. Michael Waltrip Racing announced that Mark Martin will replace David Reutimann in the No. 00 Sprint Cup Toyota next season. Team co-owner Michael Waltrip said:

David has been a significant part of Michael Waltrip Racing since the very beginning and will forever be a part of our heritage. We want to thank David for his contribution to our growth and success over the past five years and wish him well in the future.

All three cars were found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20 of the rule book, or has not been approved by NASCAR prior to the event); and 20-3.2.1A (unapproved modification to an approved windshield) of the 2011 NASCAR rule book.

Crew chiefs Rodney Childers (No. 00), Frank Kerr (No. 47) and Chad Johnston (No. 56) were each fined $50,000 and suspended for the next four Sprint Cup events. They were also suspended from NASCAR until Nov. 23rd.

Car chiefs Steve Channing (No. 00), Raymond Fox (No. 47) and Anthony Lunders (No. 56) also received the same suspensions. And, MWR director of competition, Bobby Kennedy, has been placed on probation until the end of the calendar year.

The car owners, Rob Kauffman (No. 00), Tad Geschickter (No. 47), and Michael Waltrip (No. 56), have each been penalized with the loss of 25 championship owner points. Drivers David Reutimann (No. 00), Bobby Labonte (No. 47), and Martin Truex Jr. (No. 56) have each been penalized with the loss of 25 championship driver points.

JTG Daugherty owner Brad Daugherty said:

We are very disappointed in this entire situation and we will not appeal NASCAR’s ruling. We look forward to racing at Martinsville Speedway this weekend and getting ready for next season.

Team chief race engineer Brian Burns will assume the role as crew chief for the No. 47 Toyota Camry replacing Kerr and Bob Bechstein has been named car chief replacing Fox following the penalties.

MWR also commented on the penalties:

Michael Waltrip Racing is ultra-sensitive and very serious about working within the guidelines of NASCAR policy. We do not condone this type of activity and as such we will take appropriate internal corrective action immediately. We thank NASCAR for providing a fair and equitable platform for all of its competitors and respect its decisions; therefore, we will not appeal.

Pat Tryson will take over for Johnston as crew chief for the no. 56 team. Tryson was recently replaced on that team earlier this year.

Allen Mincey, race mechanic of the No. 56, will serve as interim car chief for that team in place of Lunders.  Bobby Kennedy will serve as interim crew chief in place of Childers on the No. 00. Chris Hall, race mechanic with the No. 00 , will serve as interim car chief for that team in place of Channing.

Frank Kerr, the team’s current crew chief, will move to the role of shop forman, while Todd Berrier will become the team’s crew chief and general manager in 2012.

Berrier said:

I’m looking forward to this new opportunity with JTG Daugherty Racing and working with Bobby.

Larte Zatta, of TRD, will join the team as director of engineering.

JTG also announced that Kingsford Charcoal, Busch’s Baked Beans, the Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Hidden Valley, KC Masterpiece Barbecue Sauces & Marinades, and Glad will return as sponsors for the team.

It was initially reported that Michael Waltrip Racing would end its technical alliance with JTG, to make room for the addition of Clint Bowyer. It was later reported, however, that JTG and MWR are likely to maintain their alliance.  

While the two teams are still reportedly still allies, JTG will move from MWR’s shop to its own shop. As part of the original alliance, MWR provided cars and crew to JTG, and housed the cars in its shop. It appears that JTG will now support their own cars in their own shop.

Dega Wreaks Havoc on Chasers

On Lap 174, Michaeal Waltrip was pushing Bobby Labonte when Labonte lost control of his race car and spun in the middle of the turn.  Kurt Busch had no where to go and drove straight into the side panel of Labonte.  This destroyed the hood of Busch’s race car and ended his day.  The elder Busch brother finished the race in 36th position, 15 laps down.  This did not help his chances for the championship, knocking him down one spot in standings to eighth place, 52 points behind the leader.

Luckily for Kurt Busch, he isn’t the only Chase driver that struggled at Talladega.  Hendrick Motorsports’ Chasers did not finish as expected on Sunday, coming home with 25th (Dale Earnhardt Jr), 26th (Jimmie Johnson), and 27th (Jeff Gordon) place finishes.  All three drivers rode out the race in the back of the pack and just didn’t seem to have the momentum to race towards the front at the end.

Earnhardt remains in ninth position in standings, 74 points behind the leader.  Thanks to others’ misfortune, Johnson moved up one position to seventh place, but is now 50 points behind the leader.  Jeff Gordon also moved up one position; however, he is now 82 points behind the leader.   I would say this is the end of Hendrick Motorsports’ chances to win the title.  Johnson would be the only driver with a chance, but he would need the drivers ahead of him in the Chase to have substantial bad luck to overtake them.

Kevin Harvick came to Talladega only five points behind leader Carl Edwards.  Leaving Talladega, he is in fifth position, now 26 points behind the leader.  Early on in the race, Harvick had a fast car; he even led the race on six different occasions.  But, he fell victim to a large pile-up on Lap 104 when AJ Allmendinger spun on the front-stretch. Harvick finished the race in 32nd position, nine laps down.

Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Kyle Busch and Joey Logano worked well together early in the race.  On Lap 67, as the duo was attempting to make green flag pit stops, Trevor Bayne cut in front of them, abruptly separating the pair.  This caused Logano to spin his race car and forced Busch to drive down pit road to avoid an accident.  Logano then blew a left-front tire on the backstretch, bringing out the caution. Busch was then sent to the rear of the field for failure to reduce speed while driving down pit road.

Busch was able to recover, leading the race on Lap 90 with help of his teammate, Denny Hamlin.  After the pile-up on Lap 104, however, Busch was unable to race his way to the front and finished the race in 33rd position.  Logano on the other hand, was able to push Tony Stewart to the lead of the race on Lap 136, despite the damage to his race car. Logano finished the race in 24th position.  Busch is now sixth in standings, 40 points behind the leader.

Chase for the Sprint Cup

Carl Edwards remains the points leader after finishing in 11th position at Talladega.  Fellow Roush driver Matt Kenseth sits second, 14 points behind Edwards.  Brad Keselowski gained three spots in the standings, moving to third, just 18 points back.  Tony Stewart moved up to fourth position after finishing the race in seventh place and is now 19 points behind Edwards.

Both Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch dropped positions because of their misfortune and are now in fifth and sixth position.  Rivals Kurt Busch and Jimmie Johnson are now right beside each other in standings, sitting in eighth and ninth position.  Dale Jr and Jeff Gordon round out the top-10 in ninth and tenth positions, respectively.  Denny Hamlin and Ryan Newman reside in 11th and 12th place, respectively.

Best Efforts of the Race

The Red Bull Racing team of Brian Vickers and Kasey Kahne have to be recognized for their effort on Sunday.  Kahne started 26th, Vickers 30th, and the two pushed their way into the top-five within 10 laps.  They had troubles with the two-car tandem on Lap 159, causing Kahne to spin across the nose of Vickers to bring out a caution.  But with 50 laps to go, the pair had already hooked back up and were headed to the front.  Unfortunately they just couldn’t catch the RCR tandem, but still came home with fifth (Vickers) and sixth (Kahne) place finishes.

Dave Blaney’s third place finish at Talladega represented Tommy Baldwin’s Racing’s best finish yet at the Cup level.  Blaney was in the battle at the front in both the Daytona 500 and the spring race at Talladega this year, but couldn’t get the finishes he deserved.  This is a big step for a small organization with a short history in the sport.  Team owner Tommy Baldwin hopes the Talladega finish is a step in the right direction for a more competitive season in 2012.

Landon Cassill and Casey Mears deserve a shout-out for their strong effort at Talladega.  Before the race had even one lap in the books, Mear’s No. 13 GEICO Camry had moved from its 42nd starting position into 26th.  On Lap 3, Mears paired up with Cassill to head to the front.  They spent most of the race in the Top 5 and Top 10 until lap 174 when Mears lost his drafting partner.  Cassill was collected in a turn two crash involving Bobby Labonte and Kurt Busch, forcing Mears to find another dancing partner.  Although their finishes of 16th and 17th do not represent their hard effort, the fact that they survived Talladega tells the story by itself!

Bowyer said:

This has been a very long summer, but I think for everyone involved, the best decision was made to be at Michael Waltrip Racing.  I am a big fan of 5-hour Energy so I was really happy when they approached me about putting a deal together. We were diligent in working through our options and finally found the right fit. I have been so impressed with what’s going on at MWR. Then when the 5-hour Energy executives met with Michael and his people, we knew this was going to be our home. I’ve been with one organization for my entire Sprint Cup career and leaving there was the hardest part of the decision. But now I’m ready to start the next chapter in my racing career.

MWR co-owner Michael Waltrip said:

This is a watershed moment for our young organization. Clint is a proven winner and consistent Chase participant. He had a lot of options and it makes me proud that Clint and 5-hour Energy chose to race with us. This announcement continues to show our partner Toyota, our sponsors, our employees and the entire NASCAR community that MWR is serious about success and dedicated to winning.

Scott Henderson, president of 5-hour Energy, said:

The chance to add a top notch driver and an avid 5-Hour Energy consumer like Clint Bowyer was one we felt like we could not pass up.  As we both looked at options it became clear that MWR provided us the best opportunity to win races and continue to grow the 5-hour Energy brand. Michael, Rob and the whole team understand the importance of helping our company reach our marketing objectives. We are excited to be working with them, and we can’t wait to see Clint and the 5-hour Energy Toyota in victory lane.

Bowyer has driven for Richard Childress Racing for his entire Cup career. He has four career victories. RCR seemed to want to re-sign him if sponsorship could be found. But, as it became increasingly likely that Bowyer would leave, four team emerged: Richard Petty Motorsports, Roush Fenway Racing, and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing .

At one point, RPM extended and offer, but then later retracted it.

Geschickter said:

We are looking at a number of different options that will enable us to continue to share notes and technical support with Michael Waltrip. [This partnership] has definitely helped us be a better team. As it looks today, we are going to assert some independence. But we continue to work every week with Michael to figure out what (the relationship) is going to look like.

Geschickter did confirm that the No. 47 would move from the MWR shop to its own shop in Harrisburg, NC. The team is currently working on a deal to remain with Toyota in 2012.

The team plans to make an announcement regarding its driver lineup and manufacturer soon. Geschickter expects Bobby Labonte to be back. He said:

Bobby and I shook hands, which is all we’ve ever needed to do. Short of signing a contract, we’re feeling pretty good about getting that done.

Geschickter also indicated that in 2013, the team would like to expand to a multi-car operation.

JTG owner Brad Daugherty wants to keep his team on track next season, and is currently considering an alliance with Richard Petty Motorsports. RPM had talks with Clint Bowyer about joining the team in a third car. Later, RPM withdrew, stating that they were happy with the performance of the two-car operation.

Team owner Andrew Murstein said:

We are no longer in discussions with [Bowyer]. We just feel that RPM is in a great place today, especially how far we have come since last year. Both Marcos (Ambrose) and AJ (Allmendinger) are not only having career years, but they are both moving in the right directions and improving. … Clint is a great driver and we wish him the best wherever he ends up. For now, we will continue to focus on our two teams and continuing to make great strides as we return the King and his unmatched tradition and legion of loyal fans back into Victory Lane.

They were close to adding a third team, which could mean that a technical alliance with JTG is not out of the question. But, considering they recently indicated they were happy with the performance of their two cars, they may not want to expand.

An alliance with RPM would also mean a switch a manufacturer for JTG. RPM fields Fords, so the team would need to field Fords as well.