NASCAR on Friday laid off several dozen employees in a long-rumored belt-tightening amid the proposed merger with ISC. While the total number of employees laid off could not be determined, it represents less than 5% of the workforce. The layoffs are said to have hit several different departments in both competition and business operations. NASCAR called it a strategic reallocation of resources and said in a statement, "As all good businesses do, NASCAR is committed to strengthening its operation to ensure that resources are aligned to strategies that grow the sport and drive our business. We have a talented team at NASCAR and we’re confident that greater focus on the opportunities to drive fan interest and strong industry partnerships will help our sport achieve long-term growth." Rumors of impending layoffs have been going around ever since the $1.9B bid by NASCAR to acquire ISC was announced in November (Adam Stern, THE DAILY). Roughly 50 NASCAR employees were let go from "across the company," including in its Charlotte, Daytona Beach, L.A. and N.Y. offices (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 1/12).
TWITTER REAX: Former NASCAR Productions Field Producer John McMullin Jr. tweeted, "Even though I was only employed by #NASCAR for 13 years, as long as I can remember I did everything I could do to help grow the sport. To hear your not needed anymore is a tough pill to swallow." The AP's Jenna Fryer tweeted, "As I hear more and more names out at #NASCAR, I feel like this is cutting numbers and becoming more attractive to a buyer. Some of these people being let go are NASCAR lifers." Bristol Herald Courier's Allen Gregory: "For years, NASCAR apologists and their smug enablers have mocked realistic critics and declared that there is nothing wrong in their sport. After team closures and mass layoffs throughout the industry, will the cheerleaders finally face facts and address issues?"
