Sources: Petty Enterprises-Gillett Evernham merger nearing completion
By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Bobby Labonte practices Petty Enterprises' No. 43 Dodge at Talladega Superspeedway in October.
Todd Warshaw
Getty Images for NASCAR
Petty Enterprises told several employees this week that they will be without jobs next week as the Gillett Evernham Motorsports merger/acquisition nears completion, according to sources familiar with the Petty situation.
Petty employees being retained will begin working out of the GEM shop next Monday.
Petty Executive Vice President Robbie Loomis declined comment, but no officials at GEM could be reached.
Petty Enterprises officials had announced Dec. 11 that they were in exclusive “transaction” negotiations with GEM, and if the transaction was completed, the famed Petty No. 43 entry would run as part of the new company.
There currently is no driver for the No. 43 as Petty and Bobby Labonte announced their parting of ways on the same day.
The No. 43 car has no sponsorship, and GEM has announced sponsorship for only four races from the Air Force for the No. 10 car. Reed Sorenson has been signed to drive that car. With the No. 43 being locked into the first five races for 2009 while the No. 10 car’s status is in limbo depending on how many teams return, it would make sense that Sorenson would drive the No. 43 or use the points of the No. 43.
GEM has two cars that are locked in for the first five events next year – Kasey Kahne with sponsorship primarily from Budweiser and the No. 19 car that has sponsorship from Stanley and Best Buy. GEM likely will replace Elliott Sadler in that car with AJ Allmendinger, according to sources.
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53 responses to "Sources: Petty Enterprises-Gillett Evernham merger nearing completion". Post a Comment.
max huber said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 12:00 PMWhy not have Kahne in the 9, Allmendinger in the 10, Sadler in the 19, Sorenson in the 43
terry ruth said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 12:12 PMbye...bye..Miss American pie....drove my Chevy...to the levy...but the levy was dry....
Ryden Caparelli said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 12:18 PMBecause GEM has become a joke of a team and the "firing" of Sadler only solidified it. I mean who gives a guy a two year extension only to tell him to get packing only 7 months later. I like Kahne still, but as for the rest of GEM, I hope it goes through 2009 struggling even more then it did in 2008. I also hope that genius George Gillette ends up paying Sadler every last cent he is owed on that contract.
max huber said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 12:28 PMBeing a Sadler fan, I agree with you Ryden. I'd rather see Elliott get paid his money and go over to a different team. Why stay with a team that screws you over?
Michael Murray said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 1:06 PMIt is beyond me that a no talent like Reed has a ride in the series over a past winner like Elliott. I have been beat up by Reed fans on this site many times, but you have to consider that he as had a fully funded Cup ride for three years and nothing to show for it. At least Dinger shown he can with in the All-Star race. Reed is a mere pack filler. Something needs to give here!!!!
Dan Dugger said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 1:51 PMI have been a Petty Enterprises fan since 1960. I have seen the glory days and the days of simply showing up at the track to run 20th or worst. Now, to witness PE's closing and being absorbed into another team is an sobering moment for me and many other Petty fans. The only redeeming grace I see here is that the famed 43 might be a bit more competitive and if they put a good driver in the car it may acturally run closer to the front. And please lets not forget simply having Richard Petty and Dale Inman at the track is a treat, as they have more history combined than most teams have all together. I will miss Petty Enterprises even though it has already been diluted once. What I would like to see is Kyle Petty drive the famed 43 to finish his career and maybe win one more race!! That would be special!!
I have to agree with Michael Murray that Elliot would be the one to hang on to instead of Reed Sorenson. Looking at the stats, it just doesn't add up. Salary must be a part of this story someplace. Reed Needs to go back to The Nationwide Series and hone his craft a bit more! Personally, if Kyle is not a consideration for the 43, I would like to see either Elliot Sadler or AJ before Reed.
Just my two cents
Richard Clower said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 2:18 PMDan & Michael, you guys are living in a pretend world. Elliott Sadler is a has been that never really was. I mean really, what has he done since 2004? I'll answer that for you, NOTHING!! He has no upside whatsoever at the age of 37. Why not give a young gun a shot, let's not forget that Reed drove for Ganassi that hasn't ran a winning ride since Marlin left in 2002. Jeez, let go of the old and welcome the new.
Georgia Ross said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 2:20 PM"When the levee breaks..going down, going down, NOW!"
Pat Draper said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 2:29 PMRichard its clear you know nothing about Elliott he is not 37 he's only 33 and he is a much better driver than Reed that is for sure. Reed has done nothing but get into wrecks or in other drivers way. He's a nice guy and all that but Elliott has the experience and just needs some good cars to drive. Kane hasn't done anything in the past season i mean nothing so why not let him go. He sure doesn't look like a Bud drinker he looks like he's 17 and not able to drink. I don't understand why these owners go with the younger guys they are just not as good as your veterns. I hope Elliott gets a good ride soon.
Mr Galvan said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 2:38 PMElliot sadler is NOT a good driver! he is wrong for being with this team, look what aj did for gem last year! kahne and aj are going to do very well. reed is ehhhh!! let go of reed and sign jamie mc. he will be out of a job soon.
go dodge
Claire Lummus said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 2:41 PMRichard... JPM won for Ganassi at Infineon in 2007.
Honestly, I don't know what to think about this situation. I like AJ, and I wanted to see him get a full Cup ride, but I also hate the way this is going down for Sadler. If they (GEM) weren't happy with the job he was doing, why give the guy a two year contract extension?
Anonymous said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 2:41 PMIt's all about advertising and the all mighty dollar. Who do you think will grab the attention of the "rock & roll" crowd that Na$car has been aiming at for the last 3-4 years - Elliot or Reed? Elliot isn't a big pull for sponsors anymore (althought I do like his Sunoco comercial) Reed is younger and "prettier" I guess. Plus Elliot speaks with a southern drawl that doesn't appeal to the typical "rock n roller" as much as Reed will. Reed doesn't look the part either, but more than Elliot does.
kahnefan said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 2:50 PMPat, there is no way that GEM would let go of Kahne, that is basically there franchise driver. I'm not sure of the Reed signing, but look at what Kyle Busch and Jeff Burton have done after leaving teams, you never know until you try it, and if Reed don't succeed, then you know he will be out.
William Aldridge said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 3:16 PM3 months ago I wrote in a blog that sooner or later Boston Ventures or whoever the "current" owner of Petty Ent is would look for a way to bail and minimize losses. It's happened "sooner" not later. Look for GEM to only last another year at best. Why? Because these new style owners don't care about racing and don't have the knowledge or inclination to be a 'hands-on' owner like Hendrick, Roush, Childress or Gibbs or even Ray Evernham while he was involved. They got into it only thinking they could make a buck. But in order to make a buck, you have to produce on the track and we come full circle to having to have a principal involved who knows racing. All GEM is doing now is buying the #43 which still has a little equity left and the guarantee of a starting position for the first five races. The value of the rolling stock is minimal, as were the people formerly employed by PE. Sad, but true.
Werner Boehmert said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 3:20 PMit was NASCAR that forced the #43 to stay in the picture...why couldn't they have let them unofficially "retire" the number like they did with the #3...it's a disgrace to see the 43 go downhill like it did...thanks NASCAR...
terry ruth said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 3:48 PMLike Lamar Hunt did 1960 starting the AFL....If I had his money there would be an alternative to this "show"...we're getting now.....NASCAR is getting to be a cross between AS THE WORLD TURNS and W W E....
terry ruth said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 3:48 PMLike Lamar Hunt did 1960 starting the AFL....If I had his money there would be an alternative to this "show"...we're getting now.....NASCAR is getting to be a cross between AS THE WORLD TURNS and W W E....
teresa beachler said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 3:53 PMThis is one of the reasons Ray walked away and emptied his desk out.
teresa beachler said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 3:53 PMThis is one of the reasons Ray walked away and emptied his desk out.
cherie burczak said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 4:15 PMIt is sad to see what is happening to Petty and the #43, and now no Bobby Labonte, Cheerios left too?! Richard Petty is still such a big draw, I've have witnessed that at the tracks, just like all of you. Elliot Sadler would be a best bet with them if they don't but Kyle in there, but who am I, just one of the biggest Petty fans there is and still hanging on.
Scott Hall said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 4:20 PMAs a Petty fan since 1979, this day is a sobering one for me and one that's just hard to wrap your cranium around. I do hope that whatever 2009 brings that Richard Petty will still be involved in the 43 team in some capacity. While Boston Ventures was involved at PE Richard had very little say as to what went on, thus why we are at the point we are today. Those big business types know about as much about running a race team as I do about brain surgery. It's also sad that NASCAR just cares about the almighty dollar and the mega-teams and lets the history and what made the sport great just erode away.
Betty Reed said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 4:21 PMI like all 4 drivers and would love to see Kyle drive the 43 till he retires. I also can not see replacing Sadler with Reed or Aj. I watch every race and go to a lot of them and these two drivers have very little to off the fans. They are not that good on the track and they sure are not very exciting off the track. They did not do very good in the Nationwide so what makes you think they will be superstars now. I like Kacey but I agree he is not a good person to represent Bud. The commercials are more like a joke than for real.
Andrew Briscoe said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 4:27 PMI wonder, are these the same sources that said the negotiations were stalled a week ago? If I remember correctly, the point of letting Labonte go was so the GEM-Petty merger would put Sorenson in the #10 and Allmendinger in the #43 (or vice-versa) with Kahne and Sadler in the same numbers as they were already. Releasing Sadler is a sign of that deal being dead in my opinion, because they would need a 4th driver again if Petty and GEM merged. It makes no sense to release someone who is supposed to fill a car IF a deal goes through, especially considering how few decent drivers are left to sign (Labonte, Riggs, McDowell, Nemechek) and how sponsors aren't going to flock to many of them (Labonte and Riggs being the only ones that could really bring a good sponsor or two).
Rick (fanofreed41) Mumpower said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 4:36 PMReed Sorenson is a great driver I don't know why people give him such a roug time.i have been a Reed fan since he's been racing.
DAVID PHILLIPS said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 4:41 PMmaybe it's time for the remaining teams to sit back and ponder, "wow, maybe a financial partner with no racing experience would be a good idea right now"??
I only have seen one that has even come close to working so far..
teresa beachler said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 4:59 PMIts all over, with this merger the only 2 cars that have full sponsorship is Kasey and AJ. the rest are gone
carole penrod said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 5:44 PMCould somebody explain to me why Reed Sorrenson even has a ride in the Cup series? What has he ever done? Certainly not win a race. He has no personality at all, and certainly isn't much of a driver. It seems the only thing he is good at is getting into wrecks. I would love to see the percentage of races in which he has been in at least one wreck. I bet it is really high. I think AJ and Elliott ar both much better drivers. Of course I also think that GEM is going to go the way of Bobby Ginn Racing, Too bad Petty seems to be getting mixed up in that mess: they deserve better.
teresa beachler said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 5:57 PMum Rick, Reed is a great driver??? you must be related to think that. Reed has had 110 starts and has only finished in the top 5 5 times and 13 times in the top 10 and had 14 DNFs. That Rick makes him a bad driver
teresa beachler said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 5:57 PMum Rick, Reed is a great driver??? you must be related to think that. Reed has had 110 starts and has only finished in the top 5 5 times and 13 times in the top 10 and had 14 DNFs. That Rick makes him a bad driver
Marion Gainey 111 said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 5:59 PMThis whole merger is about survival i was not around for the glory days of Petty but Ive seen highlights and read about it, awesome stuff!, in my book Ricard Petty is the greatest driver ever.The new Petty/Gillett formed team is still going to be a 3 car operation. I remember reading somthing a month ago about the 43 has some sponsors but not a full package same with the 10 car.The 10 will be droped and Sorenson will drive the 43 with the sponsorship package Gillett was working on and im sure Petty has been doing the same thing. The 43 will be fully sponsored,as for the Sadler thing he got out performed by AJ thats why hes out of the 19. Sorenson maybe would have got the boot before Sadler but,Sorenson has never drove for them yet so they could not say performance.2009 is Sorensons shot if he doesnt perform hes out for sure but people deserve a chance.im just glad Petty will be around in some form. Good luck to Petty&Gillett in 2009!!!#9 in 09
April Gates said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 7:26 PMIs anything official yet? The plus for Elliott is that if he does indeed walk, he will likely take his sponsors with him. A good thing for a prospective team. Why they signed Reed is beyond me. Even more insane is why they signed AJ. I highly doubt Chucky will do any better than he started off last year at.
Gerry Blachley said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 7:39 PMNASCAR has NEVER retired a number.. RC owns the no. 3.
teresa beachler said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 8:07 PMApril, you begind in the news, Elliott is gone and not with Best Buy either. He got fired with nothing. He has nothing
teresa beachler said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 8:09 PMApril, you begind in the news, Elliott is gone and not with Best Buy either. He got fired with nothing. He has nothing
SUSAN E SCHUSNER said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 8:13 PMWhat a shame! Nascar has done them selves in! I never thought we we see this day, but they have no one to blame but themselves! It is a shame to watch LaBonte end his career this way!
teresa beachler said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 8:23 PMElliott was fired, he didnt take his sponsor with him.
Meg said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 8:50 PMProbably AJ & Reed would both sign contracts agreeing to be paid a lot less than Sadler would agree to. Not that I would have a problem having Reed over Sadler anyway... Sadler will be snapped up by someone like Michael Waltrip... Good luck to all of them..
Betty Stoneman said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 8:56 PMFirst of all, NASCAR owns the number 3 -- not Childress. NASCAR owns the number 43 - not Petty.
I have been a Petty fan since Richard started driving -- in all of the years since -- both good years and bad. I am also a Kyle Petty fan and I don't think Kyle ever got a fair shot at driving a good car from Petty Enterprises. His best times were with Felix and the Wood Brothers, not with his dad. I'm truly sorry to see the Pettys and the 43 car go downhill, but it's been happening for a long time. I really don't know why Bobby Labonte ever took the ride to start with, when the best driver on the circuit can't win in a car that is never in top-notch condition. I have nothing against any of the drivers involved with the merger, but Reed has had plenty of chances to do a good job as a driver -- and hasn't done so to this point.
Meg said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 9:09 PMFrom Jayski..
http://www.jayski.com/pages/faqrace.htm#numbers
# Who owns the NASCAR car numbers?
NASCAR owns and assigns car numbers to an owner(s). NASCAR reserves the right to revoke or transfer car numbers to another owner/team at any time. Car numbers are non-assignable and non-transferable, except by NASCAR. NASCAR works with teams and sponsors when a specific number is requested. If duplication of numbers occur, which usually happens with the part-time teams, the fastest qualifier usually gets to use the number unless one team is considered full-time. In 2002, the #27 was used by Scott Wimmer for Bill Davis Racing and by Kirk Shelmerdine, both part time, however, Wimmer was listed in the #27 and Shelmerdine in the #`172 and when they attempted the same races, Wimmer got to use the #27 and Shelmerdine ran the #72, so NASCAR uses it's judgement in deciding who runs the number.(9-6-1999/9-17/2003)
AND NASCAR said it owns the numbers used in the Sprint Cup Series, not car owners. And since they own the numbers, they're not for sale. Car owners are allowed to lease each number for one year, NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said. Teresa Earnhardt, who currently controls her stepson's #8, can renew that lease next year to keep him from using it.(6-26-2007)
teresa beachler said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 9:22 PMMeg whats this. this isnt about #s
Sunday Money said:
Dec 31, 2008 at 10:10 PMActually Petty Enterprises hung on longer than I thought they would be able to. My prayer is that Bobby Labonte will get a good ride and sponsor. Change is something that is inevitable....not only are NASCAR teams merging, other major companies are merging to stay alive. Back in the day when most of the tracks were in the south things were different. Bottom line $$$$ is what it is all about. I wish Kyle Petty a decision that is good for him. For Richard Petty I hope the change will allow him to see major accomplishments. The Petty's have been struggling in the race arena for a long time. God Bless and Happy 2009 to all!
Josh DeMello said:
Jan 1, 2009 at 2:18 AMI heard that most likely Chad McCumbee will drive the 10 car next season. Chase Miller may come from the Nationwide team which they shut down, buts thats really unlikely.
Duff 65 said:
Jan 1, 2009 at 10:13 AMYou know...Best Buy colors is sorta of a Blue...Sadler could take Best Buy to the 43, Dinger could drive the 19 with McDonalds backing but sadly the truth of Sadler to Penske may be indeed what we will learn by the middle of January. Rumors have come up that Sadler will replace Hornish who is going back to Indy Racing due to legal issues preventing Castroneves from driving for Penske next year.
teresa beachler said:
Jan 1, 2009 at 11:59 AMdoes anyone even read on here. SADLER is out right now FIRED. he does not have Best Buy. he has no ride.
Marion Gainey 111 said:
Jan 1, 2009 at 1:15 PMI read some where that the new merged company will be called RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS.
Jim Bayliss said:
Jan 1, 2009 at 2:13 PMHOPE you are right, Marion. GEM means nothing to most folks. Richard PETTY does.
Although I was never a huge Richard Petty fan, I did like him, except the time he crashed David Pearson. Only I was "lifted" when David kept his car running and won the race.
I have an old buddy up in Ashland, Wisconsin that has ALWAYS been a huge Richard Petty fan and raced Plymouths himself on short tracks, but though I ran Plymouth for two years, I have always been more of a Ford fan, and lean toward the Ford drivers. - I watch MOST of the drivers of today, and while Elliot has had his moments, he has not "proved" himself to be a top runner year in and year out, like some of the others. --
Jamie McMurrey won't be with any Dodge teams, I think HE will be with Yates in 2010, IF he does well this year. JMHO. Sadler will find a ride at least for a year or two, then will probably go the way of Kyle Petty. Sad but true. They are "good" racers, but not great racers.
teresa beachler said:
Jan 1, 2009 at 2:18 PMThe new team name will be Gillett/Petty Motorsports GPM.
Priscilla Bartels said:
Jan 1, 2009 at 3:45 PMWell I belive that the best thing that has happened for bobby was to get out of a losing company like petty enterprises and I hope that he finds a good home with someone who wants him as the good driver that he is and not have to lose his car to the owners son because he cant drive fast enough to get his own car in so he takes bobby,s car because he needs his driver points to get in. Petty has been around a long time and maybe its time to head back to the stables and retire while he still has some diginty left.
Morgan Easel said:
Jan 2, 2009 at 3:29 AMOk so i just read on the offical gillett-evernham motorsports web page that sorenson is driving the 10 car, sadler is in the 19 and kahne still in the 9 unless they havent updated the page.....and the page was last updated on the 18th of Dec......so unless the "firing" of sadler happened just a week or so ago i dont believe it! ill keep checkin around to get CONFIRMED reports of sadlers firing............just so you all know!
Andrew Briscoe said:
Jan 2, 2009 at 4:09 AMMorgan, Sadler was released just before Christmas (nice present for him) so that the sponsors could make the decision whether they wanted to stay as a sponsor for AJ Allmendinger or leave. It's why the GEM page doesn't have news of the changes. It's been on ESPN, with reports that Ray Evernham was "cleaning out his desk" at GEM's shop. As for the lineup for 2009, I still don't like the idea of Reed Sorenson in the #43. It seems like the #10 is the team that would be the first to be cut should things not work out, especially if the driver is uncertain.
Marion Gainey 111 said:
Jan 2, 2009 at 5:57 PMAccording to Jayski- Elliott Sadler is suing Gillett
Howard Englishman said:
Jan 3, 2009 at 9:45 AMWouldnt you, the poor guy just re-uped in May. George Gillett does not belong in this sport and either does the Boston venture group.
Howard Englishman said:
Jan 3, 2009 at 9:46 AMIt will all end up like Ginn another one who didnt belong here.