Sources: Layoffs begin at Richard Petty Motorsports
Sources have indicated that layoffs are in the works at Richard Petty Motorsports. // SceneDaily Staff photo illustration, NASCAR Scene
Richard Petty Motorsports has begun layoffs and informing employees which ones will be kept as part of its merger with Yates Racing, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Some employees were immediately released while others were told they will be kept through the end of the season. Sources said that by the end of the month, more than 150 of the 250 RPM employees will have been laid off from RPM, which currently fields four full-time cars for drivers Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler, AJ Allmendinger and Reed Sorenson.
RPM and Yates Racing announced in September plans to merge after this season with the new Richard Petty Motorsports to field four Fords in 2010. They have not announced that the deal has been signed, although Ford and Yates Racing officials have said the deal is on track to be completed.
The new RPM is expected to use Roush Yates Engines next year and also possibly get equipment from Roush Fenway Racing. The current RPM organization has finished building cars and engines for the final two races of the year at Phoenix and Homestead, and many of those immediately laid off Monday and Tuesday came from those departments, sources said.
An RPM spokesman declined comment.
