|
Post by 221dayton on Jul 23, 2015 8:37:10 GMT -5
Kauffman Leaving MWR?
Lee Spencer, Motor Sport 7/22/15
One persistent, hot rumor features a manufacturer swap of sorts, with Rob Kauffman, currently the principal owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, taking his racing interests and partnering with a Chevy team. Furniture Row Racing is currently eyeing the Toyota camp with an ardor that has progressed well beyond flirtation.
Kauffman looking around
Two potential partnerships mentioned for Kauffman are Chip Ganassi Racing and Richard Childress Racing. Ganassi absorbed Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Martin Truex Jr. into the fold back in 2009. With no fanfare whatsoever, Ganassi finally dropped the Earnhardt name after the 2013 season.
RCR expressed interest in acquiring a minority partner after Chartwell Investments expressed a desire to sell its stake in the company in 2012. In February of this year, RCR put out a release saying it “has advised its employees, drivers and key sponsors that RCR’s minority partner, Chartwell Investments and the Company have hired Houlihan Lokey to assist in exploring strategic alternatives for the sale of its equity position in the Company.”
Kauffman did not offer a definitive reply when asked about a possible realignment.
“We’ve been a Toyota team from the get go and we’re totally focussed on hopefully getting both cars in the Chase,” Kauffman told Motorsport.com. “That’s what it’s all about. Next year will come up next year.”
|
|
|
Post by espnisgone on Jul 23, 2015 18:29:37 GMT -5
Kauffman money over at RCR might just result in the speed they need.
|
|
|
Post by 221dayton on Jul 29, 2015 8:41:16 GMT -5
Toyota Abandoning MWR?David Wilson, president of Toyota Racing Development, told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Tuesday that the manufacturer has its sights set on more teams making the 2015 Chase while also looking ahead to its 2016 lineup. Michael Waltrip Racing with Clint Bowyer's No. 15 team and David Ragan's No. 55 are the manufacturer's two highest-ranked drivers without wins, sitting 15th and 24th respectively in the standings. Based on points, the No. 15 driver is currently in the provisional Chase Grid, but if Busch makes the top 30, Bowyer will be bounced without a win. As the manufacturer attempts to add those MWR teams to this year's Chase, Wilson wasn't certain about the organization's future with Toyota. "We are talking to a number of organizations about the future, and certainly in the near-term, we're not sure what Michael Waltrip Racing is going to do," Wilson said. "They've yet to announce their plans. Certainly we have had a rich history in the sport together. We got our butts kicked together in 2007, our first year, and you forge very close and personal relationships when you have those trials together. "Whatever they decide to do, we certainly wish nothing but the best for them." www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2015/7/28/toyota-trd-2015-chase-2016-planning-joe-gibbs-racing-michael-waltrip-racing-furniture-row-racing.html
|
|
|
Post by 221dayton on Jul 30, 2015 8:36:20 GMT -5
Kauffman Close To Purchasing Sabates' Stake In Ganassi
Adam Stern Sports Business Daily 7/29/15
Michael Waltrip Racing principal Owner Rob Kauffman is close to purchasing Felix Sabates’ stake in Chip Ganassi Racing, according to multiple industry sources, which would cause Kauffman to drop his affiliation with MWR if the sale is completed. Kauffman, who has been with MWR for eight years, would take on Sabates’ minority stake in the team, while CGR principal Owner Chip Ganassi would continue to retain majority control, according to sources. It is unclear if Sabates will hold onto a small stake to retain his affiliation with the team or if he will be dropping the affiliation entirely.
Sources said that Kauffman would take one of the two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series entries at MWR – the No. 15 Toyota driven by Clint Bowyer – with him to CGR. Because MWR's sponsors, including 5-Hour Energy, Aaron’s, Peak, AAA and Maxwell House, have yet to determine their next move, it is unclear whether the operation, which also has the No. 55 currently driven by David Ragan, would form an alliance or merge with another team, or pursue some other option. CGR execs had no comment; MWR did not respond to e-mails by presstime.
Ganassi Racing currently has two Sprint Cup entries – the No. 1 Chevrolet driven by Jamie McMurray and the No. 42 Chevy driven by Kyle Larson. McMurray is currently ninth in the Sprint Cup standings, while Larson is 20th. For MWR, Bowyer is currently 15th in the standings and on the bubble for the Chase for the Sprint Cup, while a combination of drivers have left the No. 55 entry 28th among car owner standings. The combined three-car entity will remain with Chevrolet, which is the current supplier to CGR in the Sprint Cup Series. Kauffman also is chair of the Race Team Alliance, which was founded last year. Whether his role with the RTA will be affected is unclear.
|
|
|
Post by 221dayton on Jul 30, 2015 8:39:25 GMT -5
Felix Sabates has disputed a claim stating that Rob Kauffman is close to purchasing his stake in Chip Ganassi Racing.
Jim Utter, NASCAR Editor Motor Sport 7/29/15
Felix Sabates, part owner in Chip Ganassi Racing’s NASCAR operation, disputed a published report Wednesday by Sports Business Daily claiming Rob Kauffman was close to purchasing Sabates’ stake in the team.
“I am not going anywhere,” Sabates told Motorsport.com. “I am having too much fun. Plus, I have unfinished business. I need to sit at the head table in Las Vegas.”
Citing industry sources, the SBJ report said Kauffman would purchase Sabates’ stake in Ganassi’s organization, which would cause Kauffman to drop his co-ownership of Michael Waltrip Racing.
Kauffman has partnered with Michael Waltrip at MWR since 2007.
MWR currently fields two fulltime Sprint Cup Series teams with drivers Clint Bowyer and David Ragan. Ganassi fields two Cup teams with drivers Kyle Larson and Jamie McMurrray.
|
|
|
Post by searchers on Jul 30, 2015 15:08:29 GMT -5
There is a lot about this on Jayski this afternoon.
They confirm that Kauffman bought into CGR.
Felix still says he is not leaving CGR.
MWR confirms Kauffman bought into CGR.
Kauffman might be taking Bowyer with him to CGR.
Am sure it will become more clear as the days go on. Right now it is pretty confusing.
To me the biggest question is what is going to happen to MWR?
|
|
|
Post by espnisgone on Jul 30, 2015 18:36:31 GMT -5
I think it is more than just Kauffman trying to escape Mikey. Toyota wants out from under MWR too.
|
|
|
Post by 221dayton on Jul 31, 2015 9:01:43 GMT -5
Michael Waltrip Racing owner buys stake in Chip Ganassi Racing
Joe Rodgers SportingNews July 30, 2015
Michael Waltrip Racing principal owner Rob Kauffman has agreed to purchase an interest in Chip Ganassi Racing, the two teams confirmed on Thursday. The news comes amid growing speculation that MWR may shift manufacturers from Toyota to Chevrolet and partner with Ganassi.
Kauffman could drop his affiliation with MWR and Toyota and could also bring one of MWR's two drivers — Clint Bowyer or David Ragan — with him to CGR. Bowyer has enjoyed more success than Ragan in the Sprint Cup Series. He's 16th on the Chase grid this season while Ragan is 24th.
The companies will continue to operate separately and compete against each other for the remainder of the 2015 season," a statement from Michael Waltrip Racing said Thursday. "They are also currently evaluating ways to field the most competitive race teams possible to provide an excellent platform for their partners and employees for the 2016 season and beyond. More details will follow in due course."
Ganassi also released a statement Thursday: "We confirm that Rob Kauffman has agreed to acquire an interest in the team. Further discussions regarding the 2016 season and beyond are underway."
MWR, which is in a two-year winless drought in the Cup Series, has been with Toyota since its entry into the series in 2007.
"We’re not sure what Michael Waltrip Racing is going to do,” David Wilson, president of Toyota Racing Development, said in an interview with SiriusXM Radio. “They’ve yet to announce their plans. Certainly we have had a rich history in the sport together. We got our butts kicked together in 2007, our first year, and you forge very close and personal relationships when you have those trials together.
“Whatever they decide to do, we certainly wish nothing but the best for them.”
CGR has two Cup teams — the No. 1 car driven by Jamie McMurray and the No. 42 car driven by Kyle Larson. McMurray is ninth in the standings, while Larson is 20th.
|
|
|
Post by 221dayton on Jul 31, 2015 9:12:21 GMT -5
Michael Waltrip Racing co-owner buys share of Ganassi
The Associated Press July 30, 2015
CHARLOTTE, N.C.
Michael Waltrip Racing co-owner Rob Kauffman has agreed to buy an interest in the race team owned by Chip Ganassi.
Kauffman's defection to Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates means he could bring driver Clint Bowyer with him to the organization. CGR already fields cars for Jamie McMurray and Kyle Larson.
MWR fields Sprint Cup teams for Bowyer and David Ragan, who earlier this year replaced Brian Vickers when Vickers was sidelined with recurring blood clots.
Kauffman retired at the end of 2012 from Fortress Investment Group, where he was one of three founders. The billionaire also is the chairman of the NASCAR team ownership group, the Race Team Alliance.
"The companies will continue to operate separately and compete against each other for the remainder of the 2015 season," MWR said in Thursday's statement. "They are also currently evaluating ways to field the most competitive race teams possible to provide an excellent platform for their partners and employees for the 2016 season and beyond."
Kauffman helped save MWR in 2007 when the team had financial issues, and with Kauffman's financial assistance, it grew into a three-car organization that had a legitimate title contender in Bowyer.
MWR was rocked in 2013 in the aftermath of the Richmond scandal and it hasn't fully recovered. NASCAR determined that Michael Waltrip Racing manipulated the outcome of the race in a bid to get Martin Truex Jr. into the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.
MWR lost Truex and longtime sponsor NAPA in the wake of the scandal and Vickers has been in and out of the car with medical issues.
Without Kauffman and with the likelihood of fielding just one car in 2016, MWR could struggle again — or possibly even shutter.
"My focus is on 2015 and fulfilling the commitment we have made to our partners and Toyota which is placing our teams in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup," Waltrip said in a statement. "There are a lot of details yet to be sorted regarding 2016. I will work closely with Rob Kauffman and our sponsors to formulate the best way forward."
|
|
|
Post by 221dayton on Jul 31, 2015 17:56:24 GMT -5
Trying to figure out what is happening at MWR
Bob Pockrass ESPN 7/31/15
Rob Kauffman buying into Chip Ganassi Racing has set the stage of a potential merger between Ganassi and Michael Waltrip Racing.
Merger sounds like a nice term, as if everyone remains involved and meshes together as one big happy family. But most of the time in racing, a merger turns into one team shutting down, with some employees and equipment absorbed by the other side. Many have to scramble for jobs, while the owners who have invested can sell some equipment and then sweep up the ashes of the cash burned in the process.
MWR hasn't announced its plans. But without a sponsor for the No. 55 car and a manufacturer signed for 2016, it would need a perfect storm of good to compete as a separate entity next year.
It appears the team's one sponsored car (the No. 15 of Clint Bowyer) will operate out of Ganassi. If sponsorship can be found for the other car, Ganassi could possibly field four cars. Or a more likely scenario would be MWR using the sponsorship, and the points of an established team, to broker another "merger" that would be more valuable than just trying to "sell" the points of an established car.
Not much good comes out of this Kauffman deal with Ganassi, except for saving fewer jobs rather than a complete shutdown and filling in the sinkhole money pit that MWR has likely drained from Kauffman's sizable money chest.
Kauffman at least gets credit for eight-plus years of ownership and management of a team. While there was hope at the start of 2015 that the organization wouldn't have to resort to this, it appears he had little choice, given the lack of sponsors to field a multi-car team. He gets to remain in the sport with a piece of Ganassi while also running the Race Team Alliance.
Most of the investors in race teams don't last nearly as long: George Gillett, Bobby Ginn, Boston Ventures, Red Bull, Brandon Davis, the list goes on. Kauffman did his best, but the team never seemed to get over the hump after losing NAPA Auto Parts as part of the 2013 Richmond race-manipulation scandal.
The scandal shouldn't get the blame in this. It might have only delayed things. NAPA might have remained with MWR, but why would it stay when it can go to Hendrick Motorsports and have a guaranteed buyer and seller for its products in Hendrick and his automobile dealerships? Why would Aaron's stay if it has other opportunities with stronger teams and bigger names?
Obviously a three-team model might have produced better equipment and more chances to win than a two-team model. Better performance likely would have made MWR a more attractive sponsorship target.
But owners such as Kauffman and Ganassi, whose sole business is racing and don't have built-in business-to-business relationships to help attract sponsors, will always face uphill battles against the Hendricks and Penskes. Other teams can rely on names -- Gibbs, Petty, Childress -- to help boost the value of their sponsorships.
It's tough these days to find sponsorships that will help teams compete for wins and championships. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has open races this year. Kasey Kahne has open races for next year. Danica Patrick obviously needs sponsorship for 2016. Chase Elliott, too.
Need we say more? Oh yeah, the sport's top series needs a sponsor starting in 2017.
If Kauffman can't own and run a team on his own, what will entice someone else with money to purchase a race team? Kauffman has a deep love of racing and competes in sports car events. How many more Kauffmans are out there willing to give it a try?
The financial barrier to entering this sport is huge. Success requires a long-term vision that includes expansion to match the power of the current four-car superpowers. Single-car JTG Daugherty Racing has one win since joining Cup in 2009. Single-car Furniture Row has two wins in 291 starts since its first Cup race in 2005. Single-car Germain Racing has made gradual progress over 228 starts and is still seeking its first win. Front Row Motorsports, which fields multiple cars on a shoestring budget, has one win in more than 600 starts.
The one successful "new" organization has its roots in struggles. Haas CNC Racing went winless from 2002 to 2008 and had to give half the team to Tony Stewart to use his connections, sponsorship and driving ability to secure victories and a championship.
Recent newcomers such as Mike Hillman, Tommy Baldwin, Frank Stoddard, Ron Devine (BK Racing), Phil Parsons and Jay Robinson have all scraped to get by. These teams have made progress but are not close to cracking the top 15 on most days. Some have already sold out.
Bob Leavine has tried the pragmatic approach by spending money only on select races, only to get burned in recent weeks when rain washed out qualifying as part of an archaic, inflexible NASCAR system that rewards people for just showing up with uncompetitive cars.
What NASCAR really could use is another manufacturer. But even a manufacturer has to look at NASCAR and approach with caution and realistic expectations. Toyota entered Sprint Cup in 2007 and if MWR disappears after this season, all of Toyota's inaugural teams -- MWR, Bill Davis Racing and Red Bull Racing -- will no longer be in operation. And Toyota is still seeking its first Cup title, although it has legit contenders at Joe Gibbs Racing.
Dodge entered Sprint Cup in 2001 and won one title -- in its last year, 2012, with Penske. Only one of its original teams, Ganassi, remains in operation in its same form, while Petty Enterprises has gone through about three of these "mergers" and reorganizations. The remainder -- Bill Davis Racing, Evernham Motorsports and Melling -- are long gone. Dodge got out when Penske bolted for a longer-term deal at Ford and Dodge couldn't land a team it felt would consistently contend.
NASCAR needs some serious investment in the sport. The main investment is from television networks, which comes at a price as they attempt to boost subscriptions and tiers of their sports cable networks. The byproduct has come in the expected drop of viewership this year. While the television money helps stabilize the track and NASCAR finances, it is toughest on the teams, whose sponsorship rates can depend on television numbers.
The teams have worked to prepare sponsors for the television viewers, which they hope will be mitigated by increased social media numbers. On the bright side, many companies remain involved, and NASCAR's attendance woes in general have leveled off with some tracks showing slight upticks.
But every time it appears NASCAR takes a step forward, it seems to stumble. Beyond a great race in Kentucky and a solid product from television newcomer NBC and its quality broadcast team, July produced its share of challenges: a terrible accident at Daytona, disappointing racing at Indianapolis, throngs of empty seats at both Indy and New Hampshire, long track-drying delays at Kentucky and now this discouraging NASCAR business news.
Is the sky falling if MWR disappears off the NASCAR map? No. But it's cloudy. And it's hard to tell which way the wind blows.
|
|
|
Post by chuck on Aug 1, 2015 16:54:32 GMT -5
Jeff Hammond believes Rob Kauffman's moves mark a shift in NASCAR Jeff Hammond FOX Sports AUG 01, 2015 12:30p ET I think we are seeing a beginning of a changing racing landscape with the announcement Thursday that Michael Waltrip Racing co-owner Rob Kauffman has bought an interest in Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. We've been so accustomed to Michael Waltrip Racing being there in its current form since they were literally the original Toyota team, but now there's going to be a dramatic change. Let's face the facts, why would Rob Kauffman enter into an ownership agreement with an established Chevrolet team unless it's his desire to break from Toyota? I know there has been a lot of effort put into making a stronger relationship between Joe Gibbs Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing, but the results simply aren't there. So, maybe Rob's decided to stop the bleeding and go another direction. It's clear to me when you read all the statements that have been put out by all the parties involved, the bottom line is Rob Kauffman is ready to move on. How that affects the rest of Michael Waltrip Racing remains to be seen. There are a lot of rumors flying around out there that Clint Bowyer is going to be driving a third Ganassi Chevrolet before event the end of this season. There are also rumors flying around that sponsorship of the No. 55 Toyota, the second MWR car, is very questionable for 2016, so that puts the future of MWR and all its employees in a very precarious situation. One thing is definitely clear; it won't be the same rundown on the lineup when we roll into Daytona for 2016 Speedweeks. Right now, I think there are very few people who really know what the end result is going to be for the future of Michael Waltrip Racing. www.foxsports.com/nascar/story/rob-kauffman-michael-waltrip-racing-chip-ganassi-racing-silly-season-chevrolet-toyota-080115?vid=null
|
|
|
Post by Pam on Aug 2, 2015 11:39:07 GMT -5
No matter what happens to MWR we will never get rid of Michael Waltrip from Fox booth as long as his brother is there.
|
|
|
Post by Tom Pearce on Aug 2, 2015 11:53:03 GMT -5
There is a lot of talk about this on the pre-race shows today. Nobody has any real concrete information. Seems to be talk about Kauffman abandoning MWR which I think he is not going to do without trying to get some money out of it. The other side is saying including MWR with some kind of restructuring of both teams into one 4 car team. Sounds good on paper but a lot of personalities to make agree on things this way. I think MWR will eventually dissolve. Mike can't handle it without Kauffman running the business end of the team.
|
|
|
Post by 221dayton on Aug 2, 2015 17:46:59 GMT -5
Kauffman Interview raises more questions
By Reid Spencer NASCAR Wire Service
A brief statement by Michael Waltrip Racing co-owner Rob Kauffman raised more questions than it provided answers about the future of MWR.
Earlier in the week, a statement released by MWR indicated Kaufmann was buying into Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, fueling speculation that driver Clint Bowyer and sponsor 5-Hour Energy would move to Ganassi.
Standing behind the hauler of the No. 55 MWR Toyota driven by David Ragan, however, Kauffman gave the impression that co-owner Michael Waltrip was somehow involved in the process and that there might be synergy between the two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series organizations.
“First and foremost, the thing that’s important to realize is that Michael Waltrip and I co-own Michael Waltrip Racing together,” Kauffman said. “We’re business partners and great personal friends, so any idea that I’m leaving or taking anything is actually misplaced.
“What we’re actually doing is integrating the businesses, trying to get the most competitive product on track, do the best for all of our partners—that’s really our focus. It’s a competitive business, as everybody knows. It’s competitive on track as well as off track.”
Kauffman indicated there are many details still to be determined.
“In terms of our plans, whether we have three cars, four cars, two roofs, one roof—that’s all yet to be determined, and how we do in the 2015 season will help determine whether that happens,” Kauffman said. “If we do a great job, that’ll be one outcome. If we do a less great job, probably another.”
Kauffman stepped into the hauler without taking questions from the throng of reporters clustered outside.
|
|
|
Post by espnisgone on Aug 2, 2015 18:43:14 GMT -5
There goes my theory that Kauffman is trying to escape Mikey.
It sure looked like that was a possibility.
|
|