I was kidding, Mikey. I really can't drive five races for you...sorry, my bad.

Some interesting news on the Sprint Cup front this afternoon regarding Elliott Sadler and his supposed (well former supposed) deal with Michael Waltrip Racing.

Sunday it was announced via several media sources that Elliott Sadler would pilot MWR’s No. 55 for five Sprint Cup races in 2012.

After Sadler’s Phoenix Nationwide win, needless to say he received some attention from prospective Sprint Cup owners that needed rides fulfilled. 

Michael Waltrip was one of them and offered Sadler five rides that included Bristol, Martinsville and New Hampshire.

Cool deal, America loves Elliott Sadler.  What’s the issue?

MWR made the announcement on Sunday to media outlets but Sadler quickly went to the media early this week to set the record straight that the deal wasn’t happening.  Now Waltrip has 24 rides fulfilled by Mark Martin but the remaining rides remain open for the moment.

In the end, it was decided that Elliott should make his primary focus his current Nationwide Series title mission in which he leads Richard’s grandson, Austin Dillon, by ten points in the standings.  All of this was decided after a meeting with current Nationwide Series owner and NASCAR’s very own “papa bear” Richard Childress.

There was speculation that Sadler backed out of the deal because a conflict with different manufacturers being involved (MWR is Toyota, Childress has been GM for forty years) but apparently it was no issue between driver and owner.

I’m actually a little bit bummed by the deal because I love seeing Elliott race anywhere but if it means a Nationwide Series title for him in the end or the chance to be in contention to win it, then I’m all for it.

In a nutshell, this deal break boils down to one phrase:  because Richard Childress said so and that’s why Mikey now needs a replacement for his replacement.  Good times at MWR.