With just 9 races left in the season, the rumors of potential free-agent moves for 2010 are circulating in the NASCAR community. While Bakersfield's Casey Mears' name isn't on the top of the list, his ride is.

Bobby Labonte and Elliot Sadler have surfaced as candidates to replace Mears in the No. 07 car in 2010.

Mears joined fellow Bakersfield driver Kevin Harvick when he signed a 3-year contract with Richard Childress Racing last season. Mears currently sits 20th in the points standings with 3 top 10 finishes for the season and 3 top 15 finishes in the last 6 races, which is a good sign that the Stockdale High graduate and new crew chief Todd Berrier are working well together.

But for the first time since the start of the 10-race playoff, RCR was shut out of the Chase. To make matters worse, RCR has already lost financial support from General Motors, and now primary sponsor Jack Daniels' announced today that it will not extend its sponsorship with RCR's No. 07 team. Shell/Pennzoil has also been rumored to be leaving the NASCAR circuit. The losses of primary sponsors, along with GM's support, has internet and NASCAR folks wondering if RCR can support a four-car stable.

Only a few of Harvick's and Mears' closest confidants know the true relationship between the two Bakersfield boys but after swapping crew chiefs seven races into the season both drivers have produced better finishes in the second half. Childress has said more changes are in store if the swap didn't work.

Pulling the plug on Mears would seem strange given his late surge but then again so is NASCAR.