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NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
CUP: Rumors Swirl At RPM
Kasey Kahne has left Richard Petty Motorsports...
Tom Jensen  |  Posted October 21, 2010   Charlotte, NC
Richard Petty Motorsports co-owner Richard Petty (Right) and Kasey Kahne (Left) talk at Richmond International Raceway last month. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
The abrupt departure of Kasey Kahne from Richard Petty Motorsports Wednesday night has fueled a new round of rumors about the team’s ongoing financial woes.

Multiple sources confirmed to SPEED.com on Thursday that Roush Fenway Racing, which builds RPM’s cars, briefly repossessed RPM’s Talladega cars and engines because of non-payment. Roush Fenway Racing allowed RPM to take the cars back Thursday morning, sources told SPEED.com.

Additionally, sources said that one of the reasons Kahne was released from the team is that RPM owed him a substantial amount of back salary.

A team spokesperson contacted Thursday afternoon declined to say whether or not Kahne was owed money, Roush Fenway Racing was owed money, when team owner George Gillett would publicly discuss his team’s situation or what RPM’s plans were beyond this weekend. “There’s just nothing much to comment on right now,” said Tiffany Breaux of Richard Petty Motorsports.

Breaux did say that Kahne asked for his release from the team and the decision to split with RPM was “mutual.”

Ford Motor Co. officials declined comment, saying it was an issue involving teams only and not the manufacturer.

An RPM team source confirmed Thursday that the team is in a “state of turmoil” and that some team members have serious doubts about their futures – and their paychecks.

Gillett became majority owner of the team originally known as Evernham Motorsports in August 2007. Richard Petty merged his operation into the team a year later, and the name was changed to Richard Petty Motorsports. Petty, a minority partner, has been the primary spokesman for the team.

RPM currently has four Sprint Cup teams – the 9 formerly driven by Kahne (to be replaced this weekend by Aric Almirola), the 19 of Elliott Sadler, the 43 of AJ Allmendinger and the 98 of Paul Menard.

The team has announced plans to field only two cars in 2011. Allmendinger is scheduled to continue in the 43, and Marcos Ambrose is moving into the 19. The No. 9 team’s very visible affiliation with long-time racing sponsor Budweiser is moving to Richard Childress Racing next season.

Gillett became embroiled recently in a dispute with John Henry, co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing. Henry, principal owner of the Boston Red Sox, bought the Liverpool, England, soccer team from Gillett and his business partner, Tom Hicks, but the sale has been tied up in a financial imbroglio. Repercussions from that dispute apparently played a role in the Roush Fenway Racing decision to put tighter reins on its affiliation with RPM.

There was no indication Thursday that RPM is in immediate danger of shutting its doors, but the team had not revealed its driver lineup beyond this weekend’s visit to Martinsville.

Now that he’s been released from RPM, Kahne will drive the No. 83 Red Bull Racing Toyota starting this weekend at Martinsville. Kahne will stay in that car for the final five races of 2010, before moving to the No. 82 Red Bull Toyota next year, which will change to No. 4, Kahne’s sprint car number. With Brian Vickers back in the No. 83 next year, it appears Scott Speed will be the odd man out next season at Red Bull.

Kahne’s arrival at Red Bull was welcomed by team officials.

“With our agreement only being for one year, there is a great sense of urgency to get started on 2011,” said Jay Frye, Red Bull Racing Team’s vice president and general manager. “With Kasey coming earlier than planned, we are excited to have a five-race head start.”

Tom Jensen is the Editor in Chief of SPEED.com, Senior NASCAR Editor at RACER and a contributing Editor for TruckSeries.com. You can follow him online at twitter.com/tomjensen100 and e-mail him at Jensen is the author of “Cheating: The Bad Things Good NASCAR Nextel Cup Racers Do In Pursuit of Speed,” and has appeared on numerous television and radio shows. Jensen is the past President of the National Motorsports Press Association and an NMPA Writer of the Year.

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