NAPA leaving MWR

[Joker]

This is gonna hurt Waltrips pocketbook.

[SBS933]

What about Force losing Ford and Castrol OUCH

[Joker]

What about Force losing Ford and Castrol OUCH

Another team or they're leaving all together?

[SBS933]

Another team or they're leaving all together?
Leaving the sport

[Unforgiven]

NAPA dumps Michael Waltrip Racing after Chase scandal
Nate Ryan, USA TODAY Sports 11:11 a.m. EDT September 19, 2013Martin Truex Jr. left without a sponsor for No. 56 Toyota after 2013
Martin Truex Jr. was stripped of his spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup after NASCAR ruled Michael Waltrip Racing had tried to fix a race.(Photo: Rob Grabowski, USA TODAY Sports)

Story Highlights
NAPA has been aligned with team owner Michael Waltrip since joining NASCAR's premier series in 2001
The auto parts supply chain also was caught up in a 2007 controversy with the MWR team at Daytona
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COMMENTEMAILMOREThe cost of a NASCAR scandal at Richmond International Raceway spiraled into the millions Thursday as NAPA announced its departure from Michael Waltrip Racing after the 2013 season.

The auto parts supplier elected to leave with multiple years left on its contract to sponsor Martin Truex Jr.'s No. 56 Toyota, which was tossed from the Chase for the Sprint Cup after NASCAR ruled that MWR manipulated the finish of the race by having Brian Vickers deliberately slow his pace. A late pit stop by Vickers, plus a spin by teammate Clint Bowyer, helped Truex earn the final wild card in the Chase.

MWR received the stiffest punishment in NASCAR history -- a $300,000 fine and 50-point penalties to Bowyer, Truex and Vickers -- but the loss of NAPA could be more crippling.

In a statement posted to its Facebook page Thursday morning, the company said: "After thorough consideration, NAPA has made the difficult decision to end its sponsorship arrangement with Michael Waltrip Racing effective December 31, 2013. NAPA believes in fair play and does not condone actions such as those that led to the penalties assessed by NASCAR. We remain supportive of the millions of NASCAR fans and will evaluate our future position in motorsports"

In a statement, Michael Waltrip Racing said it's preparing to remain a three-car organization in the 2014 season.

"Michael Waltrip Racing respects the decision NAPA announced today following the events at Richmond," the team said. "There is no doubt, the story of Michael Waltrip Racing begins with NAPA Auto Parts, but there are many more chapters yet to be written. MWR has the infrastructure and support of Toyota for three teams plus three Chase-caliber, race-winning drivers. With the support of our corporate partners, we are preparing to field three teams in 2014. MWR is a resilient organization capable of winning races and competing for the championship and that remains our sole focus."

Last August, NAPA renewed a multiyear extension that the Sports Business Journal estimated at $16 million annually. NAPA has been with MWR since the team entered Sprint Cup in 2007 and has been aligned with team owner Michael Waltrip since joining NASCAR's premier series in 2001 with Dale Earnhardt's team.

Truex Jr. has maintained he didn't know about MWR's shenanigans and drove as hard as he could at Richmond in an attempt to claim a playoff berth.

After Truex Jr. was bumped from the Chase field, more in-car radio transmissions -- which were the undoing of MWR's scheme -- surfaced that led NASCAR to make the unprecedented move of adding a 13th driver to the 12-driver playoff field. Jeff Gordon was given a slot Friday, just hours before qualifying for the first Chase race began at Chicagoland Speedway.

At the time, Truex Jr. said: "I'm not even sure what to say at this point. I'm kind of at a loss for words. They kick me out to make a spot for somebody and then they don't do the same for the other guys.

"It's just unfair and (there's) nothing I can do about it."

On Thursday morning once news broke of NAPA's decision, 2012 Sprint Cup champion Brad Keselowski tweeted: "Wow That really hurts. Feel bad for the team and their families."

NAPA had alluded to possible action in a statement on its Facebook page Sept. 11:

"The actions taken by Michael Waltrip's Racing team this past weekend leading to the penalties assessed by NASCAR, are very concerning. We are disappointed that a partner associated with our organization would make such a significant error in judgment. In addition, we have launched our own review to determine the future of our partnership with Michael Waltrip's Racing team. The NAPA AUTO PARTS organization is proud of its long-standing NASCAR relationship. We share a passion with our customers for high quality racing and seek to determine the best course of action for our customers, NASCAR fans, and the NAPA organization."

[Stainless]

Not really surprised...I wonder if MWR will lose more sponsors? Pressure will mount with the first one leaving.

[Bobby V]

What about Force losing Ford and Castrol OUCH

Force is going to start filming his old show Driving Force again. They say it will show the corporate side of racing and hopefully show them working with new sponsors.

[Stainless]

Force is going to start filming his old show Driving Force again. They say it will show the corporate side of racing and hopefully show them working with new sponsors.
Yea, as corny as it was I watched every episode. Cant wait for the new one. :D

[Unforgiven]

I think 5 Hour Energy will leave as well..Toyota won't let them fail..I can see them becoming a SPONSOR like Dodge did for Everham when he started his team

[Stainless]

I liked the show too. Mainly because John lives in Yorba Linda and that's where I grew up, so I was always a Force fan, and went down to his shop a lot when I was younger. I think the show will do better now that Courtney's older and having success in FC, not sure how you feel about it?
Yea, Courtney's definately going to propell the new show! It will be interesting to see how they all settle into the new series. While cute, Brittany seems shy on camera. I wonder if Ashley and her new family will be scripted into the show?

[SBS933]

I would step on Courtneys face to get to Ashley

[Stainless]

I would step on Courtneys face to get to Ashley
Uh-oh, Eli is gonna kick you in the nuts! :D

[Stainless]

I would step on Courtneys face to get to Ashley
But I would have to agree Ashely has nice Goodyears. :thumb:

[Eli]

I blame Courtney! She should've done a Playboy centerfold shoot instead of ESPN! :D

I'm gonna start a petition!




Sent from my Bat Cave

[Eli]

I would step on Courtneys face to get to Ashley

No need... she's taken ;)


Sent from my Bat Cave

[Bobby V]

Yea, as corny as it was I watched every episode. Cant wait for the new one. :D

Here is a link to the new show.

http://www.nhra.com/story/2013/9/12/force-sponsorship-initiatives/

[Unforgiven]

Here is a link to the new show.

http://www.nhra.com/story/2013/9/12/force-sponsorship-initiatives/

Bobby, you have a PM

[Brian]

I would step on Courtneys face to get to Ashley

I LOL'd when I read this.