This post is one I’ve had on my list of topics to write about for a while, but I’ve debated with Journo about whether to actually write it or not. But after some recent events and some serious consideration, I think its important to discuss it.
Recently it was reported by Scene Daily that Mike Bliss had filed suit against Fitz Motorsports claiming they owed him back salary and prize money. If you’ll remember, Mike Bliss left Fitz Motorsports and their #22 Nationwide car after only six races this season and moved over to the Phoenix Racing #1 team. While it may not have been apparent to the public, I think most people within the sport knew right away why Mike Bliss had vacated the ride. It would seem strange to leave an organization six races into a season, especially since he was sitting fifth in the points standings.
I want to say right now that I’ve never worked for nor do I know Armando Fitz personally. To his credit he’s been able to keep his team afloat for quite a few years and has endured some difficult times as an owner. He must be doing something right, as his cars show up at the track each week, and are often very competitive (Mike Bliss was fifth before he left). But I believe over the last few seasons Fitz has developed a reputation as an owner that most people would find… distasteful.
Putting yourself in the situation as an owner where you can no longer afford to pay your drivers and employees is ridiculous. At some point, you need to decide that enough is enough and close the place down. The guys at these race teams work too damn hard to find out at the end of the pay period that the owner either doesn’t want to, or can’t afford to pay them. If the team is in such bad shape financially, cut the guys loose and at least give them the opportunity to find something else. Continuing to promise pay checks to get people to stick around is shameful at best.
This is certainly not the first time something like this has happened either. A few other examples of poor ownership include the now defunct Ginn Racing and Woodard Racing (truck team). In both situations the owners got in way over their heads and carried the facade on way too long, hurting good people in the process.
While it wasn’t by any of the teams mentioned here, I too can be included in the list of people screwed over by an owner. It sucked at the time, but it was definitely a learning experience and something that was maybe necessary for my career. From that point on, my approach to dealing with management and owners changed. It makes you much more skeptical and it has affected who I’ve decided to work with.
Looking at this from a broader perspective, I understand that we as Americans are in a difficult financial time. And motorsports are definitely not immune to the problems. The major corporate sponsors these teams need to survive just aren’t easy to find anymore. But when someone decides to become a team owner, or any business owner for that matter, they assume the responsibility of the futures of their employees. These people rely on them for employment and a paycheck. And if at some time, that employer can no longer provide those things to their employees, they need to have the balls to own up to it and give their people the option.
I think its important to note that deadbeat owners like those mentioned here don’t run rampant in the industry. But the few that do exist do nothing but hurt the sport we all love so much, and they give the guys that do it right a bad name.
Okay, now that I’ve stepped off my soapbox, what do you think? Being involved in racing can be extremely volatile, is this something we should expect? What would you do if you were Mike Bliss or an employee who may have not been paid for work?
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on Aug 12th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
I remember during a rain delay earlier in the season,not sure which track,Dilner asked Bliss why he was not in the garage with the rest of the team. He stated “i don’t much like some of those guys!” He was still with Fitz at the time.
After He made that statement I knew something was amiss!
Although not in the same league is the fraud by Harkness and Jones that destroyed the rep of a good driver and several crew guys. I was psyched when She was finally arrested!
on Aug 12th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
In addition,I think the case of Ginn Racing was priorities. Racing or Resorts,what’ll it be???
on Aug 13th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Sometimes defining a deadbeat is a matter of perspective. One of the wealthiest owners in NASCAR used to write pay checks and his wife would go around and ask all employees not to cash them for awhile. Things worked out, but at the time…
on Aug 13th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
The only smart thing I’ve ever heard come out of Harvick’s mouth was when he called Teresa Earnhardt a “dead beat” owner. No doubt Fitz deserves that but so does she, but the biggest deadbeat of all is the Mike Waltrip for what he has done to great sponsors like NAPA. That deadbeat is a disgrace to NASCAR and it’s fans, sponsors.
on Aug 15th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Poorly run race teams, radio stations and other entertainment properties feed off people desperate to remain in the business. These owners know that they have the employee by the cajones and take advantage of them.
I’ve been fortunate to be a part of several well run race teams that value their people and have always fulfilled their obligation and then some. I know for some others, however that has not been the case.
In radio, it was completely different. I remember literally running to the bank to cash my check before the payroll account became overdrawn. My insurance premiums were never paid, our local taxes were never paid even though they were witheld from our paychecks, etc. Years after I left there, I still got calls.
However, there is a moral to this story. Our former radio station owner was arrested a couple of days ago for theft by deception, wire fraud and bouncing checks. Believe it or not, bad people eventually run out of luck.
on Nov 30th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
I’ve seen both sides of this coin.
I worked for Glynn racing, the last three weeks of the season Scott Glynn kept saying you wll get your pay check tomarrow or next week. We never got them.
Right now Scott Glynn is in prison in Arizona for un-related convictions. I dont feel a bit sorry for him
I worked for BAM, they called us into the break room one tuesday, said this is it, we are cutting back to a skeleton crew and not racing. You will be paid for the next 2 weeks. It sucked, but they were honest and up front. They dont owe me a penny
They say they are racing next year, if they want me I will gladly go back