Truth & Rumors > Auto Racing

Petty-GEM merger quiet

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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.

SceneDaily.com

Richard Petty, Marc Serota/Getty Images Richard Petty, Marc Serota/Getty Images
January 6, 2009  10:03 AM ET

I have to agree with Elliott......getting the shaft in this shake up.

January 6, 2009  10:09 AM ET

on again, off again, on again, off again, get it over already. either sign the merger or go on your merry ways. tired of hearing and reading about this.

January 6, 2009  10:37 AM ET

night wolff me too.......merger pending...every other day.......quit wasting space until it is confirmed officially.......the rule book says only one "merger pending" story allowed ....then a confirmation story....so what if the rule book was written by me LMAO

January 6, 2009  10:42 AM ET

Ive Sat and listen on SIRIUS 128 to this stuff about GEM ,Rays Gone so This Is Now Gillett Motorsports or Not. Got The Point if i were Kasey Khane Id Be Looking For A way out of my contract to much instability in one place Ray's gone .But if one who is familiar with racing will not be heard bye one who is not .u have 2 people walking in different a direction the results are like too magnets pushing them selfs away from each other.

January 6, 2009  10:50 AM ET

LittleE, someone needs to make some rules, but then they would have to hire someone that could read them-Maybe if they wrote them in Crayon ! LOL

January 6, 2009  11:11 AM ET

Yawn
zzzzzzzzzz
Wake up me FanNation when you have something new, this story is getting mold-ee

January 6, 2009  12:20 PM ET

What does Sadler hope to get? A couple free passes for the Petty Experience and an Autographed hood? They are merging and laying people off for a reason. NASCAR is losing its fun and "rebel" tag to make way for those with the cash and have their lips firmly planted on France and Heltons arse.I have a feeling this season is going to suck HARD.

January 6, 2009  02:15 PM ET

LOL, Less drivers mean a better chance for JR to place up front!

January 6, 2009  04:17 PM ET
QUOTE(#8):

LOL, Less drivers mean a better chance for JR to place up front!

and.........Waltrip makes every race. I heard Robby Kneival is going to qualify for some races on his bike.

January 6, 2009  04:28 PM ET
QUOTE(#8):

LOL, Less drivers mean a better chance for JR to place up front!

That is the only way he will get there!!! But with less cars, that means only quality drivers will be on the track so the chance of good drivers getting taken out by bad ones decreases....might be bad for Jr. since they won't be getting caught up in a wreck.

January 6, 2009  04:32 PM ET

That could be interesting!

January 6, 2009  04:34 PM ET
QUOTE(#8):

LOL, Less drivers mean a better chance for JR to place up front!

WOW, you have lost it! OH Wait, that was me that said that! Must be right! LMAO

January 6, 2009  05:49 PM ET

To fill the track for the fans watching on TV, the folks from FOX are going to put in some CG cars during the broadcast to enhance our HD experience. Look for such favorites as the Batmobile, Speed Buggy, The Mystery Machine, K.I.T.T. (the original), Herbie, "The Bandit" (and Smokey), The Munster Mobile, Optimus Prime, Mad Max's "Interceptor", ALL of the "Wacky Racers" (including Tom Slick), Gauge and DeSoto in Recue 51, Lightning McQueen and the 1973 Stingray from "Corvette Summer"!!

January 6, 2009  06:23 PM ET

Awesome list Killer, but really want to see the Dukes car too. They need to bring back the convertible division to get interest back up. Was that crazy or what...racing in a topless car. lol

January 6, 2009  09:52 PM ET

Seems like there are not too many people who care about this situation. Maybe they are being quiet because if they did have a press conf, only 1 or 2 people would show up. Richard P. was in the right place at the right time when he raced. They should shut down just like other teams. This would be good for reducing the number of cars from 43 to 30. Limit the owners to only 2 teams and no exceptions or loop holes. Make it entertaining not boring.

January 6, 2009  09:57 PM ET
QUOTE(#8):

LOL, Less drivers mean a better chance for JR to place up front!

Less drivers could also mean that DW could be making another comeback.

January 7, 2009  12:28 PM ET

Dont forget the Mach 5, Cereal Killer!!! I see the Daytona with a full field...but AFTER...its going to be interesting. Maybe James Hylton can qualify for the field!!!! I was at the Reagan Library this weekend. Ol Ronnie had the flag from the 1984 NASCAR race...signed by all the drivers..including James Hylton Lol. Dale Sr signed it dead center (the egotist) lol. That was one artifact I would have liked to have owned. Rusty, Richard Petty (in his last race, I believe), Tim Richmond, Cale Yarborough, etc. Awesome!!!!

 
January 8, 2009  09:38 AM ET

It's a lot less fun watching 'em go around and around without the good prospect of an interesting wreck.

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