NASCAR teams continue layoffs into postseason
Five NASCAR teams have apparently laid off some employees this week, but whether the latest layoffs are simply a matter of the typical end-of-the-season adjustments or part of a massive contraction that will see 750 to 1,000 people across the sport lose their jobs because of dwindling sponsorship remains to be seen.
Petty Enterprises confirmed 30 employees have been laid off. Sources indicated Roush Fenway Racing released 35 people this week, and Haas CNC Racing laid off 16 people as it gets ready to become Stewart-Haas Racing. Bill Davis Racing has cut its Cup shop to only a handful of people, according to sources, and Wood Brothers Racing also had layoffs.
A top Roush Fenway official described his team’s moves as typical and said they reflect a decision to run fewer entries in 2009.
“We are running two less truck teams and no ARCA team next year,” Roush Fenway Racing President Geoff Smith said in an e-mail Tuesday. “The layoffs relate to those teams. Within Nationwide and Cup, the staffing is going through ‘ordinary’ type adjustments, which include normal attrition, performance, investment changes in particular areas of operation, et cetera.”
There are only 30 teams that have announced full sponsorship for next season.
"Like most in the NASCAR (or virtually any) industry, Petty Enterprises is not immune to the current economic downturn," said Petty Enterprises Chief Marketing Officer Mike Bartelli in a statement. "During these tough times, we’ve had to make some very difficult decisions, including a reduction in staffing levels.
"As we look to become leaner and more efficient across our business, we’ve eliminated 30 staff positions. We regret that we had to eliminate any. We’re focused on weathering the tough road ahead and aggressively marketing the Petty brand and sponsorship assets in the months ahead in preparation for the 2009 season."
The latest layoffs come in addition to previously announced layoffs at Hendrick Motorspor Dale Earnhardt Inc., JR Motorsports and JTG Daugherty Racing in the last few weeks.
