Silly season moves up a gear.

While the on-track action at the Pocono Raceway on Sunday failed to ignite, the Nextel Cup garage area was positively sizzling with rumours as 'Silly Season 2005' kicked into high gear.

Heading into part two of the initial 26-event 'Race to the Chase,' the month of June began with several teams jockeying their existing crews in a bid to kick-start their efforts to make it into the final ten race 'Chase for the Championship.' But as the month of June continues, more and more eyes seem to be focusing on what will be happening in 2006.

Rumours swirling around the Pocono garages included both Robert Yates Racing and Evernham Motorsports expanding their line-ups to include a third full time car next year and others moves that would affect many of the top teams.

Team owner Ray Evernham told U.S. TV station Speed TV that the chances were 'better than 50 per cent' that he would have a third full-time Cup team in 2006 while Yates is also pondering a third entry as rivals Hendrick Motorsports (4 full-time cars) and Roush Racing (5 cars) streak away with the 2005 Championship.

The three-tier MB2/MBV/Sutton Motorsports stable and Chip Ganassi Racing could also be in line for some major re-organisation if rumours are to be believed with Scott Riggs and Casey Mears both mentioned in connection with a potential third birth at Evernham Motorsports should their third team materialise. There was also talk of MB adding another young talent to their stable for an ABC (ARCA, Busch, Cup) programme similar to the one Penske Racing put Ryan Newman through.

The three-car Ganassi team could have a remarkably different look to it next year with both David Stremme and teenage sensation Reed Sorensen tipped to graduate. Sterling Marlin has all but confirmed that he won't be driving the #40 Dodge next year while Mears' contract seemingly dependent on team boss Chip Ganassi picking up an option on him for 2006.

The third Ganassi driver, Jamie McMurray has long been linked with Penske's #2 Dodge but, during the course of Speed TV's coverage of Friday's Craftsman Truck Series race, Kevin Harvick's name was also mentioned, prompting a swift denial from the Richard Childress Racing driver.

"I think if the facts would have at least been checked on and not just dreamed up over a couple of beers, we probably would have had a much better telecast on the Speed channel last night watching the Truck race," said Harvick before Bud Pole qualifying at the Pocono Raceway. "I haven't gotten calls from anybody because I'm not available. It's one of those things that's dreamed up."

Along with the former Rusty Wallace ride, Mark Martin's old seat at Roush Racing was also the subject of rumour over the weekend with veterans Marlin and Ricky Rudd being mentioned as possible candidates for the Viagra ride.