RPM to Toyota

[eehwkram]

From Jayski:

RPM to Toyota? Could there be a Toyota in the King's court? Multiple sources have confirmed to FOXSports.com that Richard Petty met with principals from Toyota and Michael Waltrip Racing at Martinsville on Sunday and the meetings continued through Monday in Charlotte. In the past week, Petty has scrambled to salvage what is left of his brand and the #43. This latest development, however, doesn't appear to involve Petty's current partner George Gillett, the majority owner of Richard Petty Motorsports. Currently, RPM fields four Fords in the Sprint Cup Series. [George] Gillett is named as the owner of record on the #s 9, 19 and 98. Petty's name is on the #43. The only sponsor signed for RPM in 2011 is Stanley Tools, a deal rumored to be worth $10 million and expected to be aligned with driver Marcos Ambrose. Gillett and Petty turned to Toyota once before in the summer of 2009, but the automaker could not match the eight-figure financial support that RPM had previously received as a factory-backed Dodge organization. RPM began the transition to Ford with select races at the end of the 2009 season.(Fox Sports)(10-27-2010)

[TeamBlueOval]

I hope not ... !

[blueblood]

Man they got problems but I hope ford don't lose marcus and aj.

[JiggaStyles09]

marcos just can't get away from toyota lol. but seriously i REALLY hope it doesn't happen, i think Ford knows that rpm is a growing team & won't let them get away. they have a good chance at winning this season with marcos on road courses & aj just coming into his own!

[DeeDee]

My thought right now is it shouldn't effect Marcos ..... Gillett is named as the owner of record on the #s 9, 19 and 98.

But I guess it all depends on the business situation. Will Petty goes he own way with just the 43. Or If Petty finds investors to take over/or help w/ the Gellett ownership. ?? hard to say at this point.

[DeeDee]

RPM will have all four cars at Talladega: Richard Petty Motorsports will field all four of its cars at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend, a team spokesman confirmed Wednesday afternoon. The team's presence at the Amp Energy Juice 500 this weekend was in question as employees were told last week that their jobs weren't guaranteed through the end of the year and that last week's race at Martinsville might be their last. Team co-owner Richard Petty, whom the SportsBusiness Journal said owns just 4 percent of the team, is working to take over control of the organization from George Gillett, according to sources familiar with the situation. Gillett, who had taken a $90 million loan to purchase the team from Ray Evernham in 2007 and then merged the organization with Petty Enterprises and Yates Racing in the last two years, has a majority ownership in the organization. Ray Evernham and Boston Ventures also have a minority interest.(Sporting News)(10-27-2010)
If Petty does take over control, I wonder if he would still consider changing mfgs??

[TeamBlueOval]

I think Petty is just trying to do whatever is nevessary in order to keep himself and the 43 in the sport. Can't blame him, but I sure hope it works out that he can stay with FORD!