According to si.com, Petty Enterprises will cease to exist after merging with Gillett Evernham for the 2009 season. GEM will retain the #43 famously driven by Richard Petty in all but three of his record 200 Cup victories, while the #45 will dissolve. I’m assuming, although it has not been written that Bobby Labonte who currently drives the #43 will move over with the car, but I’m not sure. Similarly, it’s not known if Richard Petty will hold a part ownership or keep any type of association with GEM.
This is beyond saddening. While it is no surprise that the economic downturn has effect Nascar, 500 people have lost their jobs due to mergers and layoffs, however, you’d hope that an organization that has been with Nascar since its first race in 1949 would be able to weather any storm. And even though Petty Enterprises has failed to field a race winning car in nine years, I personally, always hoped they’d turn things around. At least there’s still the Richard Petty Driving School and Goody’s Headache Powder to help heal my broken heart.
(Photo: Mark Humphrey/AP; source)
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