GEM & Petty hopes to announce merger Monday and run a 3 car team in 2009...#9, #19 and #43

Announcement of the merger is expected Monday, according to the FoxSports.com story, but spokespersons from both organizations declined comment on the report.

It has also been reported that team owner George Gillett will preserve the Petty name in the new organization.

Petty Enterprises cars have run in NASCAR races since 1949, the first year races were held in what is now the Sprint Cup Series.

The merged teams are expected to field three full-time cars in the upcoming season: the No. 9 Dodge driven by Kasey Kahne; the No. 19 Dodge in which A.J. Allmendinger will replace Elliott Sadler, as reported this past week; and the No. 43 Dodge to be driven by Reed Sorenson.

Views: 17

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bigzoom on January 1, 2009 at 1:30pm
#9 Kasey Khane (Budweiser)
#19 AJ Allmendinger (Best Buy & Stanley)
#43 Reed Sorenson (Air Force)
Permalink Reply by Ryan Dexter on January 1, 2009 at 1:34pm
so they will not use the # 10 or # 45. so kyle petty will no longer be racing ,right.
Permalink Reply by Bigzoom on January 1, 2009 at 2:01pm
From reports this morning, attorneys are finalizing the buyout of Elliott Sadler.

GEM had hoped to merge the Petty #43 and become a 4-car team. With GEM being unsuccesful in finding a sponsor and the buyout of Sadler's contract, the team plans to merge with Petty and announce a 3-car team instead. GEM will include the Petty name into the organization and run the #43 with Reed Sorenson instead of the #10 with sponsorship from US Air Force.

No word if the #10 will run a partial schedule or make appearances in the 2009 season.

The #45 was given rights to Kyle Petty in honor of Adam Petty.

Petty planned to run the #44 with Chad McCumbee as a 2nd car to the #43 with Bobby Labonte. Due to lack of sponsorship, both Labonte and McCumbee have been released.

Petty has the #45 and has sponsor Wells Fargo & Marthon Oil and Coca Cola. Kyle stated he would be interested in looking at running a partial schedule with another team, but no news lately. He has plans to do his 6 races for Turner as a broadcaster. He plans to race the Rolex 24 at Daytona & possibly the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series.
Permalink Reply by Lance on January 1, 2009 at 2:22pm
Air Force is only for 2-4 races I thought. what about the other 32?
Permalink Reply by Bigzoom on January 1, 2009 at 2:35pm
That's what their PR release said, but I'm sure it will be a revolving sponsor deal Bumper-to-Bumper, Tow Truck in a Box, Valvoline, Auto Value...and others.

The original official press release from Air Force stated 4 races in 2009 as primary and full schedule as an associate.
Permalink Reply by gorobbygo7 on January 1, 2009 at 2:46pm
I know Kyle is basically a never was, but if he has sponsorship and wants to run a limited schedule, isn't it perfect for him to run under RGM? Might be an easy way to add a 2nd car.
Permalink Reply by Bigzoom on January 1, 2009 at 2:59pm
Be good for a 1 or few race deal...not sure if putting Kyle in a car for 12 races would benefit RGM.

Kyles does best at Richmond, the only track he finished on the lead lap all year long. He had an average finish of 35th last year and only qualified for 15 races.

IMO - Daytona, Indy, Richmond and maybe good.
Permalink Reply by gorobbygo7 on January 1, 2009 at 3:01pm
The more RGM cars race the more information they gain, the more testing they can do. At some point RGM has to expand to get better. KP brings sponsorship and he still wants to race, so why not? Just don't let him in the Road Races.
Permalink Reply by Bigzoom on January 1, 2009 at 10:13pm
With testing restrictions it won't be a big a deal. IMO, this year will be about crew chiefs, crew members and shop preperation. Back to the basics and hard work.

Don't get me wrong, everyone will test at non-sanctioned tracks, but nothing like the last few years.

You'll see some shake ups in the points for sure this year.

RSS

© 2024   Created by TOG.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service