Jamie McMurray, left, is jetting for Roush Racing, while Casey Mears will take over the No. 42 car from McMurray. Credit: Donald Miralle/Getty Images

Busch, McMurray will drive for new teams in '06

The dominoes began falling into place Monday:

• Kurt Busch moves to Penske
• Jamie McMurray moves to Roush
• Casey Mears moves to the No. 42

	Kurt Busch
	Inside the Numbers Cup career stats Driver Races W T5 T10 Ku. Busch 184 14 43 79 J. McMurray 112 1 19 48 C. Mears 106 0 3 17 2005 HighlightsWatch Kurt Busch's on-track action with TrackPass Sign up for TrackPass now BUY YOUR NEXTEL DRIVER PHONE

Penske Racing South announced that defending Nextel Cup champion Busch will drive the Miller Lite Dodge commencing with the 2006 Nextel Cup season, while McMurray joins Roush Racing beginning next year with Newell-Rubbermaid and Diageo as primary sponsors of its Ford.

"The addition of Jamie McMurray as driver of the IRWIN/Sharpie Ford is a development that's exciting to our employees, customers and fans," said Eric Pinkham, director of motorsports for Newell Rubbermaid.

"There's no question that Jamie now has the right tools to achieve even greater NASCAR success and make a permanent mark on racing history."

With McMurray leaving, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and its sponsor, Chevron Products Company, said Casey Mears will pilot the Texaco/Havoline Dodge starting in 2006.

"We are pleased that Kurt and Roush Racing were able to reach an agreement on Kurt's release and appreciate the professionalism that it has taken to arrive at this result," said Roger Penske, chairman of Penske Racing South.

"Kurt's joining us for 2006 will provide a smooth transition for the team and our sponsors."

Busch recently had signed a multi-year agreement with Penske that was to take effect in 2007. At the same time, Roush Racing announced that it had signed McMurray for next year. He also had signed a multi-year deal that was to have begun in '07.

"We are thrilled that Crown Royal is becoming primary sponsor, and that we're partnering with one of the sport's rising talents in Jamie McMurray and one of racing's best teams in Roush," said Debra Kelly-Ennis, Chief Marketing Officer of Diageo.

"As we have witnessed with both Crown Royal and Smirnoff ICE, NASCAR continues to be a great platform for our responsible drinking programs, and we look forward to having an even greater presence in 2006 to continue these efforts."

McMurray's exodus opened a seat for Mears, who will have rookies David Stremme and Reed Sorenson as teammates.

"We've been working hard to find a driver solution for Texaco/Havoline and we are fortunate that we could offer them Casey," Ganassi said. "Some recent positive developments have allowed us to make this move and we couldn't be happier with how things are shaping up for the 2006 season.

"Casey is a driver and a person that we think a lot of and have a lot of faith in."

	Joe Gibbs, left, and Bobby Labonte Credit: David Taylor/Getty Images
	LABONTE, GIBBS SPLIT Bobby Labonte and Joe Gibbs Racing on Monday announced they will part ways at the end of the 2005 season.  •   Complete story, click here SILLY SEASON •   Who's in, who's out?

Busch, who is eighth in the current Chase for the Nextel Cup, said several elements were involved in the decision to leave Roush Racing.

"I have had a wonderful association with Roush Racing and we have been able to achieve much success together. I appreciate all that Jack Roush and the team has done for me and the professionalism shown in reaching an agreement with me on the release," Busch said.

"There were a lot of factors in play here, with Rusty's [Wallace] retirement and Jamie's driving contract with Roush. I believe the situation has worked out in the best interest of the drivers, the teams and the sponsors. I am excited about what lies ahead."

• Ganassi also announced Monday that Home123 has terminated their sponsorship relationship.

"We have enjoyed working with Home123," Ganassi said. "This was a good decision for us both and our separation was amicable. We wish them well in their future endeavors."

"While we have enjoyed working with the Ganassi organization and have seen benefit in the team sponsorship, we will be refocusing our 2006 dollars in other areas," said Pat Flanagan, Chief Executive Officer of Home123 Corporation.

"We are committed to having marketing programs that strategically position the Home123 brand among our target audiences. We will continue to support the racing sport as the official mortgage company of NASCAR. In addition, we continue to be excited about announcing the winner of the Home123 'Pay Off Your Mortgage Sweepstakes.' "