Jayski is reporting, via MikeMulhern.net, Phoenix Racing owner James Finch is planning to shut down the No. 09 team at the end of the Sprint Cup season, despite reports that Kasey Kahne was in talks to run the car next season as he waits to Mark Martin’s contract to expire so that he can take over Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 5 Chevy in 2012. Those talks, reportedly, have fallen through.
Update: Jamie Finch commented on the story that his team would shut down at the end of the season. Finch said:
I have not talked to Rick Hendrick about putting Kasey Kahne in my car, and furthermore I haven’t talked to Kasey! Obviously I would l like to provide the car for them next year, who wouldn’t? I also have had no opportunities to sell my team to Mark Martin. I haven’t talked with Mike Mulhern, and I have no intentions of closing Phoenix Racing. I am definitely looking for sponsorship for my Cup team and Nationwide cars. Times are tough, but we are moving forward and will entertain all sponsorship opportunities.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Michael J. Smith, Michael J. Smith. Michael J. Smith said: #Phoenix To Shut Down At End Of Season? http://bit.ly/99ecj4 #NASCAR [...]
[...] left. Phoenix Racing was the only other Hendrick-affiliated team out there. But, rumors of the team shutting down at the end of the season probably hurt their chances of landing Kahne. It also may have been hard [...]