Word leaked today from Earnhardt Ganassi Racing that the #8 car was shut down until further notice. Team officials are keeping mum on the move, but the team has lacked full time sponsorship since the season began.
Team President Steve Lauletta said earlier this season Texas would be the #8 car’s last race if funding could not be secured.
Much like the move that shut down Dario Franchitti’s #40 ride last season expected layoffs accompanied the shut down. We are hearing up to 20 employees were laid off today. David Newton at ESPN is saying that number could rise to 40 or 50.
As always if we hear more we will let you know.
Related posts:
- #40 Team Shut Down. Fastenal to RCR?
- The Truth about the Ganassi Shut Down
- Breaking News: Ganassi shuts down #40 car, lays off 71 employees
- Ganassi ‘Target’ed
- Breaking News: RMM Shuts Down #81 Truck
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on Apr 8th, 2009 at 8:07 am
I used to be a huge fan of DEI. After Earnhardt was killed I pulled for Steve Park. It used to be a great company. It seems to me that Teresa was more interested in keeping Dale’s legacy alive than keeping the race team competitive. Am I off the mark there? I’m all for honoring Dale Sr. in every way possible, but not at the cost of the race team he built falling apart. It was pretty clear a couple years back when Dale Jr. left DEI it was only a matter of time until the team collapsed.
It seems to me when a team had only one thing going for it (Dale Jr.) they should have done whatever it took to keep him there and happy.
on Apr 8th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Wow!
What were 3, 3-car teams in 2007 has winnowed down to just 1, 2-car team by 2009!
Even more concerning are the rumors that Bass Pro Shops is only signed on for 20 races for the #1 this season.
Could EGR dissolve to just a 1-car team (the #42) before the end of this season?