Kvapil, Wimmer still unsigned for 2007

By Bob Pockrass

Sunday, August 20, 2006

BAMBI MATTILA/NASCAR SCENE

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BROOKLYN, Mich. - Travis Kvapil and Scott Wimmer - two experienced drivers who have had to qualify on speed all season and have done just that most of time - have talked to other NASCAR Nextel Cup teams as well as the ones they currently drive for, but whether they will end up elsewhere in 2007 remains to be seen.

Kvapil said he has agreed with PPI Motorsports owner Cal Wells that he would try to have a decision by the end of August.

There are three main rides open - Michael Waltrip Racing, Team Red Bull and Robert Yates Racing.

Kvapil sits 37th in the standings in his second full season.

"It's not really that hard to figure out [who I'm talking to]," Kvapil said. "There are only a couple of seats left to shake out. I've had conversations but that really doesn't mean anything [is certain]. I just want to make sure whatever I do is best for me and my future.

"Last year and this year, I haven't really had the performance, I'm afraid. Another year or two of that, my days might be limited in this garage."

Kvapil spent 2005 with Penske-Jasper Racing but that team folded during the offseason. He joined PPI Motorsports to replace Bobby Hamilton Jr. and has made 18 of the 20 races he has attempted to qualify for the team this year.

"Basically where it's at, I told him I wanted a month to see how everything shakes out," Kvapil said. "I had been contacted by a few other teams and there were conversations. I didn't feel I was comfortable to make a commitment and then a couple of weeks down the road regret that decision."

Wimmer, who made his Nextel Cup debut in 2000, has qualified for 18 of the 21 races this year. He said the Morgan-McClure Motorsports team does not have a sponsor for next season. Wimmer said he could end up in the Busch Series next year.

"I don't have anything solid," Wimmer said. "I'm just trying to work sponsors and everything else like everybody is. It's been a little bit of a worry because we're getting towards the end of the season here and a lot of people have their stuff locked up and I'm still sitting with nothing."

Sponsorship could determine the drivers.

"A lot of the rides that are open, they're kind of waiting on sponsorship," Wimmer said. "I know [my team owner] Larry [McClure] is waiting on the same thing. Unfortunately that is the process you have to go through and sometimes you've got to sit there and grit your teeth and hope something will come out of it."