Bad news.. Petty enterprises

[palmbayer]

Just got a real crappy phone call....Petty enterprises will shut down for good tomorrow.

[Todd McCreary]

they're just now announcing this?

[cake]

Some friends within the organization called in and told us
Formal announcement is expected tomorrow around 2pm

[BJ Cavin]

It had to be some really inside info because you managed to scoop Jayski on this one! But then again, was it really that unexpected? Regardless, its the end of an era and very sad news indeed.

[JackTripper]

I hope Brian France is proud of himself with the direction he has taken NA$CAR. Gone are the family teams that came up through the ranks and they are replaced with equity partners looking to actually make money on racing. Now we have monopolies of mega-teams up front with cars that look nothing like the real thing and, in general, very boring racing and emotionally bankrupt drivers.

Someone should inform these new team owners of what we all know to be true - to make a small fortune in racing, you start with a big one.

[OLD STYLE RACER 2]

Wow, if this is true,then I'm heartbroken. Being born in 1970, started going to the races as soon as I was potty trained [my dads story], I've been involved for a long time. With that said, I grew up rooting for Richard Petty. When your young, you always root for a winner.
To me it won't be the same if Petty Ent. isn't there any more. The last 8 years I have rooted for Tony, but deep down I always wanted to see the Petty teams do good. I think the best they did in recent memory was when Bobby Hamilton [RIP] drove for them.
If this news is true then I guess it's safe to say that this company went out years ago when Adam was killed.

[cake]

Technically, Petty Enterprises has been gone since The first New Hampshire race. That is when Boston Ventures Bought Majority of the team. It went downhill from there.
You knew they were in trouble when they lost bobby labonte.
That left Chad McCumbee.
Good luck getting a sponsor with him

[Jim Fenton]

Hear that thump..thumping sound?

That's Lee turning over & over in his grave.

[Jane]

Yes, that is very sad news. Honestly, it was sad when Dave Marcus left with his one man team. I had great respect for him and what he did. Now we see the Petty's go. NASCAR is messing up as far as I am concerned and gotten away from racing totally and now it is just a money game where only a few ever win. Honestly, I think someday they will realize their mistake in making racing a MONEY GAME and not the sport it use to be. That is one reason I never go to a NASCAR race, one thing they cost too much to go and second thing, you know who will win usually. The little teams don't have a chance against all the BIG MONEY and there are no surprises left anymore.

[Cara]

I have to agree with the above post on how NASCAR has gotten to be. Its all about multi-million dollar teams and if don't fit in, then get out. I am a big time Petty fan and when I had to change my number on my race car, I went after Dodge numbers and was very happy with getting #43. We even plan on redoing the old 1974 Charger to a street legal race car look-a-like of Richard Petty's car. So will the new race car for whenever we come back to racing. Yes, we will be painting it Petty blue.

It really is a sad day in racing to see Petty Enterprise leaving.

[JackTripper]

According to ESPN, GEM is taking over the #43 and putting Reed Sorenson in the ride and the last remaining 39 employees at Petty Enterprises are working their last day today.

A more foolish chain of events I don't think I've ever typed up on this message board.

[cake]

"Jayski" Multiple sources have confirmed that Petty Enterprises racing will shut its doors and merge with the team currently known as Gillett Evernham Motorsports. A deal was inked between Petty Enterprises and team owner George Gillett on Christmas Eve, but the terms of that agreement have yet to be divulged. A formal announcement is expected early next week. Most of the remaining 39 employees at Petty Enterprises will conclude their duties at the Mooresville-based shop on Wednesday. The company moved from its original shop adjacent to the Petty homestead in Level Cross, N.C., in January to what was formerly the Yates Racing complex. Robbie Loomis, Petty Executive VP of Racing Operations, is expected to assume a managerial role under the new partnership, which will likely be rebranded under the Petty banner. Former car chief Ray Fox Jr. will assume a similar role at JTG-Daugherty Racing with the #47 team. David Zucker, who was named CEO of the team when private equity firm Boston Ventures purchased controlling interest in June, is expected to be reassigned to the Petty Driving Experience.

and Reed Sorenson should go back to1/4 midgets

[mocha2@dishmail.net]

This is another example why I have been disliking Nascar the last 10-15 years.When guys like Bobby Allison and Cale Yarborough were being forced out that was the beginning of the end for me.Guys like this and many others I didn't mention made the sport what it is and then they get forced out by "new" money.Any misfortunes Nascar suffers in the future will not be getting any sympathy from me and by this I mean the organization not the participants.I would like to say Happy New Year but I am not feeling too happy right now.Long live the King he was always my favorite when I was growing up.

[TIREMAN]

I Have To Agree With All The Above Posts. But One More Thing. After Making The Races Boring With The C.o.t.and Messing With The Twin 125, Now Useless 150 Be Cause Every Body Gets In ,they Messed Up The Bud Shootout.only The Top Teams In Points Get In. Mikey Waltrip In, Tony Stewartout? What The Hell?

[cake]

I Have To Agree With All The Above Posts. But One More Thing. After Making The Races Boring With The C.o.t.and Messing With The Twin 125, Now Useless 150 Be Cause Every Body Gets In ,they Messed Up The Bud Shootout.only The Top Teams In Points Get In. Mikey Waltrip In, Tony Stewartout? What The Hell?

The only reason Stewart is out is because he switched to a team that was not one of the top 6 Chevys in owners points