Petty Enterprises, Gillett Evernham Discuss Potential Merger
Petty Enterprises (PE) "remains in discussions" with Gillett Evernham Motorsports (GEM) to "merge into a four-car operation," according to sources cited by David Newton of ESPN.com. Sources indicated that an SI.com report that the merger "would happen and that Petty Enterprises would not return in 2009 ... is premature." GEM Dir of Communications Drew Brown said that the status of the company "has not changed and there are no impending announcements." Newton noted a merger between the two teams would "shrink the garage by another car, the No. 45 driven by Kyle Petty, Chad McCumbee and Terry Labonte last season." PE's No. 43 car driven by Bobby Labonte "would combine" with GEM's No. 9 driven by Kasey Kahne, No. 19 of Elliott Sadler and No. 10 of Reed Sorenson. A merger "could also mean the end of NASCAR's most storied organization as it has been known since 1969." Newton noted PE in June "sold majority interest" to Boston Ventures, and it is "unclear if a potential merger with GEM would incorporate both parties or if the Petty Driving Experience would be included" (ESPN.com, 12/4). PE VP/Race Operations Robbie Loomis: "I feel very confident in saying that everything is moving forward in our sponsorship drive. We are on track for the 43 car, but the second car is up in the air. ... There is a lot of discussion going on ... but the 43 car and Richard Petty will be at the track next year" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 12/5). SI.com's Tom Bowles cited a source as saying that Boston Ventures "may maintain some involvement in the Richard Petty Driving Experience." PE Chair Emeritus Richard Petty's role in the new organization is "also unclear." Also, the "alcohol sponsorship of Kasey Kahne's Budweiser team could present a potential hurdle," as the Pettys "never supported alcohol sponsorship in their organization." (SI.com, 12/4).
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Stewart Says Now Is Not
Good Time To Be Team Owner |
MORE TAKEOVER THAN MERGER: ESPN.com's Terry Blount wrote if the teams combine, calling the transaction a merger is a "generous gesture to a cherished and historic team." In reality, GEM "would absorb what's left" of PE. Whatever happens, the Petty name "likely will remain in some fashion," but for the "longtime NASCAR fan, this is as sad as it gets" (ESPN.com, 12/4). In Orlando, Tania Ganguli writes merging three GEM teams with one PE team "doesn't seem as much like a merger as a takeover," and if that is what happens, "what a sad day for NASCAR it will be." A piece of NASCAR history is "in danger of disappearing" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 12/5).
TIMES ARE CHANGING: Driver and Stewart-Haas Racing co-Owner Tony Stewart said of the potential merger, "It just shows you how delicate the economy is and how it's affecting racing. It makes you think it's not really a good time to be a new car owner in the series." Driver Jeff Burton: "It's really tough. It's sad ... if you look back on our sport, there are lots of teams and car owners that built this sport that aren't around anymore. That's scary." Driver Kevin Harvick: "I think you see a lot of owners who don't keep up with the sport and keep up with the times. And in my opinion, that's something that's happened more there than blaming it on the economy. That's the easy way out" (SI.com, 12/4).
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