Michael Waltrip Racing co-Owner Rob Kauffman said it is a "relatively low probability" that his RK Motors car company would be the sole primary sponsor for Martin Truex Jr.'s NASCAR Sprint Cup car next season, according to Dustin Long of the MOTOR RACING NETWORK. RK Motors served as a primary sponsor for MWR drivers Clint Bowyer and Brian Vickers in six races this year, and Kauffman said his company could "fill in a gap" on Truex' car. Long noted MWR, with NAPA Auto Parts pulling its sponsorship, would still need to "find sponsorship for a majority of the races next year" for Truex' car. Kauffman yesterday made his “first appearance" at a track since the Sept. 7 Richmond race that led to penalties for MWR. Kauffman said, “If the team breaks even and is competitive, I’m happy. I’m lucky enough that I don’t get my living from NASCAR, but it has to be commercially viable. That’s the parameters I work around" (MRN.com, 9/29). The AP's Dan Gelston writes Kauffman “has answered the call at every level of Waltrip's plan to grow the organization into one of NASCAR's top teams.” Kauffman said, “It’s obviously a big setback. We’ve paid a heavy price. Now, I’m focused on what do we need to change to improve.” Kauffman also "thanked the sponsors that stuck with the organization after it ‘put them in a difficult position'" (AP, 9/29). SPORTING NEWS’ Bob Pockrass reported Kauffman has "temporarily moved from New York to Charlotte to work on keeping the team on solid financial footing" after NAPA dropped its sponsorship. Kauffman said, “I’ve basically packed a big bag, relocated to Charlotte and I’m not leaving until we get it sorted out.” Kauffman was “non-committal” as to whether Truex will race for MWR next year (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 9/29).
