Petty Says RPM, Yates Racing Deal More Of A Buyout Than Merger

Petty Says RPM "Basically Taking Over" Yates Racing

Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) co-Owner Richard Petty Friday said that RPM's merger with Yates Racing for next season is "more of a buyout than a merger," according to David Newton of ESPN.com. Petty: "We're basically taking over their deal. As far as I know all of that whole operation will be Richard Petty Motorsports." Petty said that RPM Exec Dir of Racing Operations Robbie Loomis "will continue to run day to day operations." Petty said that the plan is to "move from RPM's Statesville, N.C., shop to Yates' facility in Concord, N.C., to be closer to Roush Fenway Racing, which will continue to supply parts, pieces and technical support as it did with Yates" (ESPN.com, 9/11). Meanwhile, Petty said that he "believed Thursday was the last day" for RPM VP & Managing Dir of Competition Mark McArdle (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 9/13).

MERGE AHEAD: SI.com's Mark Beech wrote the merger "seems to be another step back towards relevance" for Petty. Combining with Yates "will infuse RPM with more resources, more people and a manufacturer that as recently as last year was in serious contention for a championship" (SI.com, 9/11). But in Daytona Beach, Godwin Kelly wrote there are "several negative net results" from the merger, including "another two stock-car entries racing today that won't be around next year and Dodge's involvement reduced to one team with three cars" (NEWS-JOURNALONLINE.com, 9/11). NASCAR driver Ryan Newman "believes recent team mergers in NASCAR show a weakness in the sport." Newman: "We don't want to see mergers of organizations, we want to see organizations have multiple teams. I want to see six to eight cars go home every week, that's the way it should be in my eyes. I don't think that having those mergers is a good thing for the sport" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 9/12).

IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT: Joe Gibbs Racing President J.D. Gibbs Saturday said that he is "confident the team can sign" NASCAR driver Kyle Busch to an extension before the season ends. Busch's three-year contract expires after next season, and Gibbs said, "I think we're probably ready to come out and say something in the near future. I feel pretty good with Kyle long term" (ROANOKE TIMES, 9/13).