Winston Cup

Rumor		Skinny
Who: Jimmy Spencer What: Released by Ganassi		Assuming Ganassi will run three cars in '03, names like Ken Schrader and Bobby Hamilton will be tossed around as potential replacements -- Dave Blaney says he's staying with the No. 77 -- though Ganassi is said to be wanting to hire a younger driver. This would cast further doubt on far-fetched rumors that Jimmy Vasser or Kenny Brack will ditch CART and take this Cup ride. Spencer, meanwhile, could end up in A.J. Foyt's car or the No. 7.
Who: John Andretti What: Staying at Petty?		With Ganassi hiring Jamie McMurray as his third Winston Cup driver, Andretti has one less option. It's expected that the Petty team may just field two cars in 2003, and the best bet is that Kyle Petty and Andretti will occupy those seats. Christian Fittipaldi will also be running a limited slate in a third car for Petty.
Who: Jerry Nadeau What: To the 36 car		Nadeau is heading to what is now No. 36 car (it will be the No. 01 next season) for 2003, replacing Ken Schrader. There is some talk of the possibility of Schrader heading to Andy Petree's No. 55, replacing Bobby Hamilton.

CART

Rumor		Skinny
Who: Cristiano da Matta What: Going to F1		The CART champ finally announced that he's heading to Toyota's F1 team for 2003, meaning both of the Newman-Haas drivers (da Matta and Christian Fittipaldi) are leaving the series.
Who: Bruno Junqueira What: To Newman-Haas		Ganassi's top open-wheel performer is heading to Newman-Haas next season, replacing outgoing champ da Matta. Junqueira should immediately be considered a title favorite.

IRL

Rumor		Skinny
Who: Michael Andretti What: Joining the IRL		Michael Andretti, CART's all-time win king, is coming to the IRL in 2003 -- and he's bringing a couple friends. Andretti Green Racing announced it will field IRL entries for Andretti, Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan. The trio will run Honda engines.
Who: Helio Castroneves What: Heading to Jaguar?		Toyota's F1 program nabbed Castroneves for a test session and the Brazilian was impressive. So imperssive, in fact, that while Toyoya is still gunning for Cristiano da Matta, Jaguar is considering Castroneves, reports Robin Miller, though the team denies interest.
Who: Felipe Giaffone What: Extends deal with Mo Nunn		Second-year driver Giaffone has renewed his contract with Mo Nunn Racing. Brazilian tobacco company Hollywood will remain as sponsor of what could be a two-car IRL team. The team is still deciding whether to run Honda or Toyota engines next year.
Who: Sam Hornish Jr. What: Staying in IRL		His Panther Racing contract in the IRL has an option for '03, which it will pick up. But Hornish is looking to extend his deal through 2005 -- and get a nice pay raise, too. According to Hornish, the negotiations, in addition to the tight IRL points race, make it unlikely he will run any NASCAR events in 2003.

Formula One

Rumor		Skinny
Who: Jos Verstappen What: Joining Minardi		Minardi owner Paul Stoddart says Verstappen, who has been sidelined since being dumped by Arrows before the start of the year, is in line for a ride with his team next season. Mark Webber will probably join Jaguar, leaving Minardi's second seat open to Justin Wilson, Anthony Davidson, Townsend Bell, Bryan Herta or Giorgio Pantano.
Who: Eddie Irvine What: Returning to Jordan?		Irvine's Jaguar days are done with Mark Webber poised to join the team. The former Ferrari driver seems to want to stick around and could return to Jordan, the team with which he made is F1 debut.
Who: Allan McNish What: Staying in F1?		McNish could be thrown a lifeline for next season after being dropped by Toyota. The Audi and Bentley sportscar teams are both looking at the Scot, while CART could also be an option. But McNish insists there's genuine interest from a handful of teams to keep him in F1 next year.
Who: Jacques Villeneuve What: Staying put		The former CART champ has reportedly turned down -- or was never officially offered, depending on whom you believe -- a three-year, $50 million offer from Team Player's, which would have seen the 1997 F1 champ go back to CART in 2003 before returning to F1 for two more seasons. A similar arrangement is still possible, though unlikely.

NHRA

Rumor		Skinny
Bazemore Who: Don Schumacher Racing What: Dodge bodies for Funny Cars?		There are strong indications that the three Funny Cars to be driven by Whit Bazemore, Scotty Cannon and Gary Scelzi will be wearing Dodge Stratus bodies in 2003.
Who: John Force What: Fourth Funny Car		With speculation circulating that Schumacher could field three Funny Cars in '03, Force has renewed his interest in bringing a fourth car to his team for next season