Petty - GEM Merger deal done

[Sabanocchio]

FOX Sports on MSN - NASCAR - Sources: Petty to close shop, merge with Gillett

[rbroyles]

Originally Posted by Sabanocchio

FOX Sports on MSN - NASCAR - Sources: Petty to close shop, merge with Gillett

Not a banner day for NASCAR IMO. At least a #43 will still be on the track for now. It just will not be the same.

That leaves the Wood Brothers as the only team from the early days of NASCAR. How much longer will they be around.

[doozer]

The venerable No. 43 Dodge covered with the trademarked Petty blue glaze will become part of the Gillett stable with Reed Sorenson expected to be behind the wheel.

wait, what?

[DownNDirty]

I think what they are doing is eliminating the 10 team altogether perhaps. This is a sad day for NASCAR. Some of the younger fans won't understand why. I'm a tick under 30 and I understand the significance but I don't know how 20 year old fans take this news.

Anyway, if they are eliminating the 10 team then this merger is just an acquisition and that is two less full time cars for next year - eliminating both Petty cars in reality. The 43 might be slapped on the side of Reed's car and they might use the points but it will be the 10 team with a different number.

[la.lovesorange]

I cant believe this is all happening mostly Reed Sorenson in the #43????? That is a move they will regret after about 5 races.

[rbroyles]

Originally Posted by la.lovesorange

I cant believe this is all happening mostly Reed Sorenson in the #43????? That is a move they will regret after about 5 races.

Neither can I, the Boston Ventures deal was supposed to keep Petty viable. Over 60 yrs of racing gone almost over night.

For me NASCAR lost some of it's attraction when my first favorite driver, Fireball Roberts died from burns. Then it really diminished with the death of Allen Kulwicki. Earnhardt's crash. although I wasn't a fan only continued the loss of attraction. Now the demise of the #4 team has been joined by the largest icon team of the sport. I am not sure how much more desire to pay attention is left.

[DownNDirty]

It will never be what it was for us. Rbroyles I'm sure for you the 60s and 70s were the most memorable. For me, it was the 80s because that's what I grew up with but I do know the racing then was still very good. Maybe some 17 and 18 year olds on here would be talking about the good ol' days of the 90s.

I think it has went downhill since the early 90s though. About 94 is when it started getting alot different and more corporate. I feel with this economic slump NASCAR could go in a cycle of back to more interesting racing again in the next couple of years. It will still never be like it was but I just have a feeling that as down as it is now it will have to rise up again somewhat in the next couple of years.

[jhen713]

I hope better racing is in the future, near future, but I don't see a light at the end of the tunnel. There is no more innovation or tricks to keep up with the big dogs. There is a huge gap between the haves and the have-nots. We will see the same 10 drivers or so competing for wins week in and week out with maybe a suprise at a restrictor plate track. I don't want to pay my money to see the same race I saw from the week before thats for sure.