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Sources: Gillett looks to buy Bill Davis' Cup program
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According to multiple sources, a deal is in the works for George Gillett, majority owner of Gillett Evernham Motorsports, to buy out Bill Davis' Sprint Cup operation — including the No. 22 team, the Toyota affiliation, Triad Racing Development and their engine shop.
While Gillett could not be reached for confirmation, Gillett Evernham Motorsports Vice President and Managing Director of Competition Mark McArdle told FOXSports.com on Sunday that GEM was searching for a fourth car with a spot inside the top 35 in the owners standings. McArdle would not elaborate on which team or any possible terms, but Bill Davis has made it no secret in the garage that he is open to offers.
"We're looking forward to having a fourth car next year to help us with our current business plans," said McArdle. "That's where we stand. To get a sponsor, they want to know that you're going to be there to race on Sunday."
Although a deal has not yet been finalized, sources say Toyota has approved the plan. Davis will continue to field a Craftsman Truck Series team and add a Nationwide Series program to his High Point, N.C., operation.
With Dodge announcing that it will drop its support of the Truck Series, it appears to be just a matter of time before its Sprint Cup program is affected as well. For the future health of GEM, which served as the flagship operation when Dodge returned to the sport in 2000, Gillett looks to lock down a Toyota connection before the stable fills.
Gillett purchased controlling interest of Evernham Motorsports last August. His driver lineup currently includes Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and Patrick Carpentier, but it was announced that Reed Sorenson would join the organization next season. While Carpentier is allowed to speak to other teams, there is an outside chance he will return to GEM next season if sponsorship is found.
"What we've asked Patrick to do is similar to asking Kobe Bryant and LeBron James to go from high school into the NBA," McArdle added. "The job he's done for us is nothing short of remarkable."
Davis, who was attending the debut NHRA event at zMax Dragway in Concord, N.C., could not be reached for comment. Representatives for the team declined comment when contacted by FOXSports.com. Sources in the garage said that Davis' current Cup driver, Dave Blaney, inquired last week about rides for next season.
Member Comments
SmokeandJrRock at least the driver of theBud car this year can win a race
abmslooth9/18/2008 16:28:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Hey people, get a clue!!! Budweiser is not owned by americans anymore!!!!!!! It was bought by a Belgium company!!!!!!!!! The Busch family sold interest in the company a few years ago!!!!!!
cspr2u9/18/2008 12:30:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I drank Budweiser when I was in Germany and it was made in Checkslavakia! I know it's spelled wrong! I'm sure it wasn't from the same company though. The date that company started was way before the US was founded!
Barnzie9/18/2008 10:55:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
NASCAR started going down hill long ago when they started charging for their website and even before that. What happened to the guy in the fastest car winning? It's like a soapbox derby race. Here's your wood and the engine boys. Good luck!
Barnzie9/18/2008 10:51:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Go check out the history of Bud (from near St Louis, a must lol) -- they aren't closing down any breweries here & the breweries overseas have been in operation for many years. The Anheuser & Busch families were Bavarian to begin with. Not quite an apples to apples comparison.
spdfrk9/17/2008 14:31:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
if NASCAR management ever allows motor tech. that's not 25 years old... V8 pushrod Holley carb'd motors are ancient... if they'd allow modern engines we'd see Mercedes, BMW and Honda... as for #9 with a Tojo and Bud... Bud sold out to InBev a Belgian company. NASCAR will have Cup events in Europe by 2013
MrEdBikes9/17/2008 14:11:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Dodge needs to run the new hemi although I don't think the engines have been the problem. It can't really be the cars since they are all the same. maybe its the talent factor. Dodge should have tried to sign Kyle Bush. Look what he's become.
doublea899/17/2008 9:26:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
yeah just like i said on the other page man yoyo is throwin that yen around to the smaller teams that are strugglin. yoyos gonna take over just like you said only hendrick smokes new team and roush can can stop em. shoot ill root for roid boy if i have too over them yoyos cuz he drives a ford.
SmokeandJrRock9/17/2008 8:16:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Goodbye Cup, goodbye Nationwide, goodbye truck series. It only took yota a few years to wreck the truck series. Hope that a.s.s.hat France enjoys his Lexus. I for one, will not spend another dime on this nascar bs
gashog089/17/2008 7:53:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
man this pizzes me off. kahne in a yoyo? A bud yoyo? wtf? the budweiser yoyo. man im gonna have to change my beer now.
SmokeandJrRock9/17/2008 7:51:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Dodge sure hasn't done much in eight years,if Evernham and Penske can't compete with Dodge,nobody can.Best of luck to Ray Evernham,whatever the future brings.The guy is a class act.
kennebecsmitty9/17/2008 6:22:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Goodbye Dodge, good riddence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bring on Honda!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Penske run them in the IRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cspr2u9/16/2008 22:13:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Who's Yoyo beating? They had to pay $200 million for some Chevies to win some races! No Yoyo team has won a race yet, only Gibb's Chevyota's!
leftturns1909/16/2008 18:18:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
jym... FORD next? LMAO! Yeah right! They have too much at stake Bud. Get it together man!
RCRKHI9/16/2008 17:45:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Goodbye Dogde from Nascar truck series '09 and Nationwide and Cup 2010 forever! No problem let's get Kia and Hyundai to join Nascar!
walbama9/16/2008 17:09:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
navy2 -- don't forget infineon pole & all star race. ;) I'm pretty sure Budweiser isn't going to back a "field filler".
spdfrk9/16/2008 16:13:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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