Bliss retained by Haas

Bliss is 39 and a former USAC Silver Crown and NASCAR Trucks champion. He finished 10th at Darlington in a commendable run, then got crashed out at Homestead in the finale. Those were his two races with the Haas team. Bliss also drove full-time in Cup in 2000, with Jack Birmingham's now-defunct team.

Bliss had two decent seasons with the Gibbs Busch team. In 2004, he won three poles and scored a victory at Charlotte. He learned toward the end of the season, however, that his car would be given as training wheels to newcomer Denny Hamlin, with USAC Triple Crown winner JJ Yeley already in charge of the team's other car.

The Haas team has yet to show any real form, despite close associations with topline outfit Hendrick Motorsports and with the late-season addition of crew chief Robert Barker. The best Burton could do with the cars was a ninth-place at Rockingham in February and a 10th at California in April. The team was 29th in points when Burton was cut after Phoenix.

Bliss though is optimistic about his new job. "This is an opportunity, I think, that has potential," he said. "I didn't want to do another ride in the Nextel Cup Series unless I really thought it had potential."