NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
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CUP: Sources - Red Bull Set To Leave NASCAR
Red Bull Racing will exit NASCAR..
FOXSports.com  |  Posted June 20, 2011   Charlotte, NC
Brian Vickers' Toyota is currently sponsored by Red Bull. (Photo: Getty Images)
Sources say employees at Red Bull Racing have been told that the NASCAR Sprint Cup operation will close at the end of the year.

A surprise visit by race director Thomas Ueberall had crew members scrambling for job openings at Michigan this weekend.

With the success of the Team Red Bull Formula One operation, it’s not surprising that the Austrians pulled the plug on its NASCAR effort considering that it’s struggled since its inception in 2007. In five years, there’s been a revolving door of drivers with Brian Vickers being the lone victor of one race and qualifying for the Chase for the Sprint Cup only in 2009.

Two scenarios mentioned for the existing equipment could be general manager Jay Frye bringing in investors and starting a new operation with Mark Martin and engines from Hendrick Motorsports, a plan that Frye had tried to expedite over the last two years with pushback from Austria.

The hot rumor of late has been the return of Ray Evernham in an ownership role similar to Tony Stewart’s at SHR, with Red Bull as the sponsor. On Monday Evernham told FOXSports.com he “had zero desire to be an owner again.”

“I want to help Rick (Hendrick get) some of his dealership stuff going,” Evernham said. “I would like to be more involved with Hendrick Motorsports than I am … It’s hard to get involved when you don’t want to be there all the time.”

Evernham said he had no knowledge on a Red Bull deal. Only two positions would entice him enough to return to the track on a weekly basis: working with NASCAR or a request from Rick Hendrick.

“It would depend on the deal and it would depend on whether it was something Mr. Hendrick would want me to do,” Evernham added. “I just don’t have the desire to be on the road 40 weekends a year.”

Apparently, Red Bull was fairly far down the line in negotiations with Clint Bowyer for the No. 4 ride next season. It was one of the few companies that could afford Bowyer.

Another dilemma with the Red Bull situation is what happens to Cole Whitt, who currently drives for the organization in the Camping World Truck Series. Certainly, if Frye acquires the assets, Whitt must be part of that plan.

News of Red Bull's possible NASCAR exit was first reported by The Associated Press.
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