George Gillett Jr., the majority owner of Gillett Evernham Motorsports, has been a big fan of seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Richard Petty for more than 30 years. Now he wants to be business partners. Gillett is actively pursuing a merger that would make Petty Enterprises and GEM a four-car team. Sources close to the situation say the merger likely would happen before the start of the 2008 Sprint Cup season, with Petty likely moving his two-car operation of #43-Bobby Labonte and #45-Kyle Petty to GEM’s Statesville [NC] facility. Gillett would only confirm that there have been discussions.
“He’s a man of great integrity, honesty,” Gillett said of Petty. “His values are something like I’ve never seen. … I’d love to figure out a way to be associated with him. I’m not prepared to say any more than that today. Richard and I are good friends.” GEM minority owner Ray Evernham said such a deal would make both organizations stronger. “From my point of view, I would like to see that happen,” Evernham said of the merger. “For me, the sooner the better.”
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it would be the best thing for petty to do it go all the way with them. would like to see bobby back in victory lane again!!!!
Its the only way a petty car will ever win again
If they merge, I do hope it is a Roush-Fenway/Yates Racing, type of partnership. None of that Gillet Evernham Petty Motorsports crap