Many teams have complained about how long the NASCAR season runs. Maybe this was just their way of doing something about it.

The NASCAR season used to give way to Silly Season around mid-November. Back then, after 30-plus races, drivers, crew chiefs and owners would play musical chairs for about six weeks before returning to Daytona to begin the new season.

Nowadays, so much of Silly Season goes on during the year, many owners and team members actually get a moment to themselves. Imagine that.

But not everyone gets to take the off-season off. Drivers Bobby Hamilton, Ken Schrader and Casey Atwood are all working to find rides while owners like Chip Ganassi and Jim Smith are looking for drivers.

If that list looks short, consider this: During the year, the No. 44 Dodge changed drivers four times, Elliott Sadler and Ricky Rudd announced they would essentially swap rides, Jamie McMurray and Greg Biffle each announced their deals to jump from the Busch Series, Jimmy Spencer, Atwood and Schrader all lost their rides, crew chiefs Tommy Baldwin, Michael "Fatback" McSwain and Paul Andrews all switched teams and much, much more.

"This is the most I've ever seen happen," Spencer said as the flurry of moves occurred throughout the year.

	Hamilton

	Schrader

Now, all that's left to see is who will drive Ganassi's No. 41 Dodge, Andy Petree's No. 55 Chevy and Smith's No. 7 Dodge. In the running are Hamilton, Spencer, Schrader, Atwood and Busch Series drivers Hank Parker Jr. and Casey Mears.

Since crew chief Jimmy Elledge, who has worked with Hamilton for quite some time with the No. 55 Chevy team, is heading over to the No. 41 team, popular belief is that Ganassi is trying to sell sponsor Target on Hamilton. However, Ganassi has said he is impressed with Mears, too.

With Hamilton out of the No. 55 ride, Schrader appears to be a front-runner. His Truck Series sponsor, Federated Auto Parts, is interested in moving up to Winston Cup next season.

Smith seems likely to go with Spencer -- who is a hoot to have around, even when he's not winning races, and can bring sponsors a lot of media attention. Smith has already hired Baldwin, and Baldwin has said he would like to work with Spencer.

Rumors concerning Jeremy Mayfield's future with the No. 19 Dodge being numbered seem to be way off, but owner Ray Evernham has talked a lot about Parker, who seems to be near the top of everyone's list of drivers to keep an eye on.

If Parker or Mears don't get a Cup ride, they'll surely be fine in the Busch Series for another year and ready for the plucking soon. Atwood, meanwhile, appears headed back to the Busch Series, which might be the best place for the young talent. Atwood just needs time -- and a strong ride to break back into Winston Cup in.

Other things on the peripheral include what brothers Geoffrey and Todd Bodine will do next year. Geoffrey supposedly is not running the No. 09 Ford -- but still has sponsorship for a part-time schedule next year. Todd has mentioned a new ride in '03, but the No. 26 might have a trick up its sleeve to keep running, too.

Rupen Fofaria is a beat writer for The Raleigh News & Observer.