As Dodge "searches for Sprint Cup teams" for '13, it appears the company will "consider teams not currently in the NASCAR garage, most notably IndyCar’s Andretti Autosport," according to sources cited by Bob Pockrass of SPORTING NEWS. Andretti Autosport has three full-time cars in the Izod IndyCar Series this season. Neither Andretti nor Dodge reps "would confirm the talks, but neither would deny the possibility when contacted in the past several weeks." Andretti Autosport Dir of Corporate Communications Jade Gurss said, "Andretti Autosport is a business designed to always be open to new opportunities as a race team and as a sports marketing company." A Dodge spokesperson said that the manufacturer was "still in the process of evaluating opportunities for next season." Pockrass wrote Dodge "must find teams to build and race its cars and must find an engine supplier for the 2013 season as Penske opted to switch to Ford after this season" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 5/18). FOXSPORTS.com's Lee Spencer reported in addition to Andretti, Richard Petty Motorsports and Furniture Row Racing "are the top contenders" to field Dodges in '13. An announcement regarding Dodge's lineup, "as well as its engine building plans, could come as early as the weekend of the NASCAR races at Michigan," June 15-17. Spencer wrote it is "unlikely that Andretti would use open-wheel talent for a NASCAR venture." Two names mentioned as "possibilities to drive for the team are Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch, both of whom have established relationships with Dodge" (FOXSPORTS.com, 5/17).
