The Buzz: Brewco denies Sauter leaving

Brewco Motorsports president and general manager Todd Wilkerson categorically denied rumors Monday that his team had made a deal with Richard Childress Racing to allow Johnny Sauter to drive RCR's No. 30 Chevrolet in 2004.

Sauter has signed to drive Brewco's No. 27 Chevrolet next season as a teammate to David Green.

	Johnny Sauter

"We have had no contact whatsoever with Richard Childress Racing regarding Johnny," Wilkerson said. "There's no deal I know of for next year that's been made for Johnny to drive for them, which would be impossible anyway since Johnny is under contract with us.

"I think seeing Johnny and Richard Childress together at the (Busch Series) banquet last weekend probably fueled some rumors about their future, but Johnny hasn't gotten an offer that we're aware of."

Sauter, 25, made 72 starts in the Busch Series over the last three seasons -- 55 of them for Childress.

But after contributing to RCR's 2003 Busch Series owners' title -- he split the season in Childress' No. 21 Chevrolet with Kevin Harvick -- Sauter made an agreement for 2004 to drive for owner Clarence Brewer.

A source close to RCR said Monday that Childress had not yet decided on a driver for the No. 30 car and that the announcement of a driver/crew chief combination, necessitated by the departure of crew chief Mike Beam to PPI Motorsports, would be made at the same time.

Word is the crew chief will be promoted from within RCR's operation, which includes three Nextel Cup and two Busch Series teams.