All quiet in possible Petty, Gillett Evernham merger
The expected Petty Enterprises-Gillett Evernham Motorsports merger likely won’t be announced Monday, and the Petty Enterprises shop was fairly quiet.
There were only about 15 cars parked in the Petty parking lot Monday morning. Sources have indicated that the team has laid off most of its employees.
It is expected that the two teams will merge, with Petty’s famed No. 43 car joining the GEM stable. With the No. 43 car guaranteed a spot in the first five races of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season and GEM’s No. 10 not guaranteed a position, the No. 43 could be driven by Reed Sorenson, who has already signed to drive for GEM.
GEM also could face a lawsuit over its driver stable. Elliott Sadler, who reportedly has been dropped in favor of AJ Allmendinger, has filed a notice with North Carolina Superior Court in Statesville, N.C., that claims that GEM breached its contract with Sadler.
Sadler indicated in the filing that he could seek money and an injunction against GEM for the breach of contract as well as file claims of defamation. Allmendinger, whose business manager has said he is in the final stages of negotiating a contract with GEM, also is listed as a defendant.
GEM spokesman Drew Brown said Monday the company has no comment on the legal filing and that no announcements were planned for today.
