Speculation time. If you're a fan of those dreaded stick-and-ball sports, you know that Monday saw a major trade in the NBA. Superstar Carmelo Anthony is headed to the New York Knicks in a three-team deal that involves the Minnesota ... I've already lost you, haven't I?
Anyway, back to NASCAR. What if teams could trade drivers the way teams trade players in other sports? I think it would go a little something like this...
Here are the ground rules. We'll keep contracts in mind, and the four-car limit per team still applies. But beyond that, let's speculate, shall we?
1. Carl Edwards and David Ragan for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin
Might as well start with a blockbuster, huh? This gives Hendrick a monstrous front line of Edwards, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. Hendrick would need to sign Edwards to a new contract and cut Ragan loose before Kasey Kahne arrives in 2012, but that's doable. On the other side, Roush gets the marketing muscle of Earnhardt and a driver upgrade in Mark Martin. Plus, Martin won't have to worry about finding a ride in 2012. Win-win.
2. Clint Bowyer for Brad Keselowski
Straight-up present for future deal. This gives Penske a chance to have two Chase-level cars this year, giving Kurt Busch protection in the postseason. Meanwhile, RCR gets a driver for the next generation, adding youth to a graying lineup. It'd be up to Penske to sign Bowyer at the end of the year to prevent this from being just a rental.
3. Kasey Kahne for David Ragan and the rights to Trevor Bayne
Performance for potential. This solves problems for both Roush and Red Bull. Roush gets an immediate Chase-level boost, and now would have four drivers with recent postseason experience. Red Bull can carry both drivers, and Bayne would fit in with the company's skewing-young ethos. Plus, we can see that Ragan is very rapidly becoming the throw-in bargaining chip of choice.
4. Hendrick gets Kyle Busch and Clint Bowyer, RCR gets Dale Earnhardt and Joey Logano, Joe Gibbs gets Jimmie Johnson and Paul Menard
Three-team blockbuster! This one is a monster, and one that would completely realign NASCAR as we know it. Kyle Busch and Clint Bowyer keep Hendrick relevant for another decade. Earnhardt returns to Richard Childress, and Joey Logano gives them a much-needed infusion of youth. And Gibbs goes all-in with Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson. Wow.
All right, your turn. What deals would you make? Feel free to go driver-for-driver, driver-for-sponsor, driver-for-cheese fries. Go!
Christina Applegate Shana Hiatt Tara Conner Drea de Matteo Trista Rehn
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