Allmendinger Gets Even More Chances

In January of 2009, I wrote that A.J. Allmendinger had 8 starts lined up with the No. 44 Petty Dodge entry.

Now, he's got even more chances.

Due to the performance levels he's demonstrated with the No. 44 car, the team has been able to sign on Hunt Brothers Pizza, keeping 'Dinger in the car through September. Look out Richmond, here we come.

NBaP is pretty excited for A.J.. He's got talent and the obvious ambition and motivation to take a decent car and put it up there in all our faces, for all to see. Including potential sponsors.


CONGRATS 'Dinger! Keep it up and nail even bigger sponsors.

Photo Credit: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images for NASCAR

Rumors of Petty and Gillett Merging - Can It Be?

The Associated Press is reporting that Petty Enterprises (PE) is in the chat mode with Gillett Evernham Motorsports (GEM) to merge. Of course, sources are saying don't tell them I said it, since they're still formulating the business plan.

And the plan is to move the No 43 car into this merged entity, giving the new team a 4-car effort for 2009.

Right now, this makes a bit of sense in the logic department if you recall that Sports Illustrated was saying the Petty Enterprises isn't returning to the field in 2009, but how accurate are these speculations across the board?

Additionally, I have to wonder just what benefit this merge brings to GEM? GEM is fine without PE, unless PE is dumping cash into the bank account of GEM to help them stagger through 2009.

And if this happens, when the storied history of Petty Enterprises, already diluted by their previous sell-out to Boston Ventures, what does happen to Petty Enterprises? Was the first sell out to Boston Ventures the first death knell in the wind? Is this it? Gone. After all this time? It can't hurt in present day, with the lack of performance that PE has been delivering, even if there looked to be a bit of hope here and there for PE from the No 43 camp.

Ideas for names, anyone: Gilletty Entersports? Pettette MotorPrises?

Or will this new, rumored team name just get ridiculously longer: Gillette Evernham Petty Motorssports. GEPM?

Of course is it possible that Gillette will remove Evernham's name from the team, since they bought him out in November? Evernham is not looking to own another team (source), but he did buy a dirt track (source), so hence starts his new racing endeavor. I guess we'll have to watch ray in the broadcast booth, but I can hope he sticks around NASCAR with a bit more intervention than that.

Then again, do you think his unspoken, surmised engagement to Erin Crocker might have some bit of fuel under his decision making?


Source

JGR, MWR, Penske Racing, Petty Racing News

The following link has a statement from J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) since October 1997, about the return of his father, Joe Gibbs, to JGR after spending the past four years as head coach of the NFL’s Washington Redskins. JGR
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Paul Andrews, the crew chief for the 55 car in Michael Waltrip Racing, has 30 years of racing experience working for teams such as Petty Enterprises, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI), Roush Racing, Penske-Kranefuss (Penske) Racing, and Alan Kulwicki Racing. During his tenure at DEI, Paul Andrews got to know Michael Waltrip while serving as crew chief to Steve Park. As Waltrip recorded four NASCAR Cup wins from 2001 READ MORE over at MWR
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Veteran Crew Chief Carrier To Lead Sam Hornish's #77 Sprint Cup Team for 2008. See Penske Racing for more details.
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As you all may be aware, Petty Racing has completed it's move to Mooresville and is prepared for the 2008 season and the third day of Daytona Speed Tests put the car 28th fastest of the bunch for the third day. pettyracing.com

Petty Enterprises and the Nationwide Series

An observation by Bruce Simmons

Did you know that there have been no Petty Enterprises entries in the Busch series because they do not participate in anything alcohol company backed? This includes not carrying the 'Bud Pole Award' sticker, or entering the Bud Shootout.

With the advent of Nationwide taking over what the Busch series has sponsored, we may be seeing a Petty Enterprises entry next year.

Let's see.

The 43 team gets a new Crew Chief

Petty hires Jeff Meendering as Labonte's crew chief

Petty Enterprises officials have announced the hiring of Jeff Meendering as crew chief for Bobby Labonte's No. 43 Dodge team.

Meendering comes from Hendrick Motorsports, where he served as car chief for Jeff Gordon's team. He replaces Doug Randolph, who moved to Dale Earnhardt Inc.

Petty Enterprises is NOT Merging with Anyone!!

Petty Enterprises is not merging with Gillett Evernham Motorsports.

But the Petty family and the Gillett family are exploring the possibility of a partnership, not a merge.

... there's still lots of questions that need to be answered - among them, who would "lose" a team - before a deal could be reached.

Petty said Friday that his family's company needs a partner to remain competitive and he is further along in talks with George Gillett than any other potential partner in the past.

Check out the details at scenedaily

Petty Evernham Merger?

In an article by David Newton over on ESPN, he notes that [The two-car operation owned by seven-time champion Richard Petty is having discussions with Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett Jr. that would allow it to merge with Gillett Evernham Motorsports and form a four-car Nextel Cup organization.]

Wow, that would effectively end the Petty reign in racing if they were to combine with another shop. Evernham is big enough that he doesn't need to take 2nd fiddle in a team name (Yes, it's Gillett Evernham Motorsports. (GEM) I have a bad habit of referring to old names.), but would Petty Enterprises then take 2nd fiddle?

I don't think either organization deserves 2nd fiddle. GEMPE? PEGEM? If this actually happens, that would be interesting because right now, GEM has the strong stable of drivers. I guess time will tell.

espn.go.com (Same link as above)