Dale Jr said:

Richard Petty is a role model for me and every other driver in NASCAR. I am honored to be working with him and thankful Goody’s brought us together. I signed on with Goody’s in part because of their long-term commitment to NASCAR. They helped start the trend of non-car companies coming into the sport. In my mind, they are synonymous with NASCAR racing. I am also a big fan of their product because it works so fast.

Jamie Allison of Ford said:

All the pieces are in place. We’re working on giving them the tools so they can be competitive. It’s all going to work. … We’re very close. We’re about there.

With the addition of Penske Racing to the Ford camp, there is some concern that organizations like RPM will lose some of their resources because those resources will now go to Penske.

Related Stories

• RPM Swaps Crews; Considering A Switch To Chevy?

Ambrose will now have Mike Ford atop the pit box, while Almirola will have Todd Parrott as his crew chief.

The goal of this move is to strengthen both teams.

RPM competition director Sammy Johns said:

We’re continuing to make improvements at Richard Petty Motorsports and we’ve added talented people to our organization this season. This move is to make sure that we are using that talent to the fullest to get the best results for our teams each weekend. We feel this adjustment will strengthen the organization, allow us to continue to compete for wins and ultimately challenge for championships.

Parrott said:

Aric has really shown the desire and dedication to get his first Sprint Cup Series win. It was great our team helped lead Marcos to his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win and poles. We are now ready to help direct Almirola and the #43 team to the same results and better.

Ford said:

Marcos is a racer who has proven to win poles and races. Our goal is to take my experiences and make sure we can consistently run up front and continue to win races.

In related news, FoxSports.com is reporting that RPM officials met with people from Richard Childress Racing about becoming a satellite organization to RCR, which would mean a switch from Ford to Chevy.

Team owner Richard Petty said:

No comment on anything because I don’t have a clue what’s going on. When we get everything squared away, we’ll talk to you. Other than that, there ain’t nothing. There ain’t nothing there ’til we bring something there, and right now we have nothing.

Annett joins RPM from Rusty Wallace Inc, which suspended operations in the off-season. Annett posted 13 top-10 finishes in 105 Nationwide Series starts and drove to a ninth-place finish in the championship points standings last season.

He said:

They say that when one door closes, another door opens, and that is most definitely true. We were left scrambling a bit because of the situation with RWI and were unsure what the future held, but I couldn’t be happier with the way things have turned out. To have the chance to race for Richard Petty and to be under the RPM umbrella is amazing. It has all come together really quickly, but together with Pilot Flying J and Ford, this is the best opportunity I have ever had to race a Nationwide Series car. There’s a lot to be done before we get to Daytona in a few weeks and I can’t wait to dive in and get started.

Team owner Richard Petty said:

We are looking forward to getting back into the Nationwide Series full time and seeing what Michael Annett can do in an RPM Ford Mustang. Michael has improved every season he has raced in the Nationwide Series and has the dedication and drive to be a success.

Earlier this season, Kasey Kahne signed a deal to drive for Hendrick Motorsports in 2012. Following nearly four months of speculation on Kahne’s plans for 2011 (Hendrick had the maximum number of teams (four) under contract in 2011, leaving Kahne without a ride); Red Bull Racing signed Kahne for one year.

Around that time, it was reported that RPM majority owner George Gillett Jr was in default on a $90 million loan. Gillett called the problem technical in nature, saying that RPM did not miss payments. But an anonymous source indicated that the issue was payment-related.

Two months after the Kahne-to-RBR deal was announced, Kahne was abruptly released from RPM, five races before the end of the season. Kahne was said to be frustrated with the team’s inability to finish races. At the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kahne wrecked his No. 9 Budweiser Ford after a brake failure.

The team repaired the car but Kahne, who was feeling ill, refused to get back in the car. After the race, he said:

I was told that I need to start doing my part. I can’t control the issues I’ve had this year. I don’t know how many parts I’ve broke, how many shifter handles, control arms, blowers, brakes. If I really thought about it, I could come up with all kinds of stuff. You can’t control that as a driver. I’m doing my part. I just need the car. I work as hard as anybody out there.

Kahne’s refusal to get in the car led many, including RPM, to question his commitment to the team. He was released the following week.

One day later, it was reported that RPM was in danger of going under. Team employees were told that they may not have jobs after the Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville. Speedway. According to FoxSports.com, Roush Fenway Racing and Roush Yates engines, which supplied chassis and engines to RPM, respectively, stopped, and they repossessed equipment from the team.

There was speculation that the issue stemmed from a lawsuit over the sale of Liverpool Football Club of the Premier League. Gillett and his business partner, Tom Hicks, put the Liverpool Football Club up for sale because the team was in danger of going into bankruptcy.

RFR co-owner John W. Henry’s company, New England Sport Ventures, purchased the debt-ridden team for $477 million. But, Gillett attempted to block the sale because, he said, he had two higher bids for the team, despite the fact that the sale had been negotiated and agreed upon.

A Dallas judge issued a temporary restraining order against NESV and others. Meanwhile, Hicks filed a $1.6 billion lawsuit, which was later dropped, while he and Gillett worked frantically to recapture the team. The restraining order was dropped and the British High Court ordered Gillett and Hicks to drop their claim, clearing the way for NESV to purchase Liverpool.

The whole ordeal was described as heated, contentious, and bitter. It’s possible that hard feelings prevented Henry and Gillett from being able to continue to work together in NASCAR… at least initially.

Shortly after the report of RPM being in danger of being without cars and engines at the Amp Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, it was reported that they did, in fact, have cars. And Jack Roush said that the team did not owe him any money, and that they were up-to-date on payments. Still, there was some uncertainty before the Kobalt Tools 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.

But, the sale of Liverpool was said to have jeopardized the finances of RPM. And, it was reported that lenders took majority interest away from Gillett and approved a plan for Petty to run the daily operations of the team.

Rumors also began to surface that the team owed Kahne money, and that was part of the reason he asked to be let go. However, Kahne denied that, saying that RPM met all its financial obligations to him.

After reports of the financial turmoil at RPM began to surface, Petty began looking for investors to help him take control of the race team that bore his name. Today, he did that officially.

Under the deal, Petty will serve as chairman, and will run the daily race operations. Petty said:

Today is a great day for me, my family, our fans and our wonderful sponsors. [They] have supported me through thick and thin and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

Murstein added:

We could not be happier to be able to acquire these assets together. … Ample working capital has been invested in the company to insure this great team and legend will not only continue to perform, but will thrive and be back in the winner’s circle.

Bergeron echoed Murstein’s sentiments, saying:

With Richard Petty’s unmatched name and reputation in the motorsports industry, I know this investment is well-timed to succeed. We are going to help put Richard Petty Motorsports back in Victory Lane.

It also appears that George Gillett is not a part of this deal. Rumors are circulating that Petty is looking for investors so that he can purchase the majority interest of RPM from Gillett.

In related news, Gillett’s Booth Creek Resort Properties sold its Northstar-at-Tahoe to Vail Resorts for $63 million, according to Sirius Speedway.  Without the sale, RPM would have been in danger of missing the AMP Energy Juice 500 at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend, sources say.

Gillett’s legal dispute over the recent sale of the Liverpool Football Club to New England Sport Ventures is said to have jeopardized the finances of RPM to the point that there was concern that the team would not operate after this weekend’s Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville.

While Petty would not comment on whether or not he was trying to buy the team, ESPN noted that Roush Fenway Racing owner Jack Roush indicated that Petty was.

Roush also indicated that RPM did not owe the team any money for cars or engines, and that they were up-to-date on payments. Kasey Kahne also indicated that RPM did not owe him any money.

Lee Spencer writes:

The assembly line from Roush Fenway Racing and Roush Yates engines, which supply chassis and engines respectively, has stopped running to RPM. Engines have been picked up, cars have been repossessed, and sources on both sides — RPM and RFR — say no cars will be delivered beyond Martinsville this weekend.

RPM employees were told that they may not have jobs after the race at Martinsville.

The issue may stem from a lawsuit over the Liverpool Football Club of the Premier League. New England Sport Ventures, which was founded by RFR co-owner John W. Henry, bought the Liverpool team for $477 million. Shortly thereafter, RPM co-owner George Gillett threatened to sue.

About two months ago, Gillett and his business partner Tom Hicks put the Liverpool Football Club up for sale as the team was in its worst season in nearly 60 years, and bankruptcy loomed. Henry purchased the debt-ridden team earlier this month.

After day after the sale was negotiated and agreed upon, Gillett and Hicks, citing two higher bids for the team, tried to block Henry’s purchase of the team, calling the deal an “epic swindle.”

Right before the meeting to complete the sale started, a Dallas judge issued a temporary restraining order against three Liverpool board members, the Royal Bank of Scotland, and NESV.  Meanwhile, Hicks filed a $1.6 billion lawsuit, but later dropped it.

Hicks and Gillett were said to be scrambling to recapture the company, buying up the debt, and firing board members.

As a deadline to purchase the team rapidly approached, the Dallas court decided to hear the matter. If the sale was not completed by that evening, the team would’ve fallen into bankruptcy, meaning Henry wouldn’t be able to buy the team.

The British High Court ordered Hicks and Gillett to withdraw their claim or be held in contempt.

Henry tweeted:

We have a binding contract. Will fight Mill Hicks Gillett attempt to keep club today. Their last desperate attempt to entrench their regime.

The restraining order ended up being dropped, allowing Henry to purchase the team. To comply with the court order, Hicks and Gillett dropped the lawsuit, but it seems more legal action may be coming.

Many accounts of the sale described the situation as bitter, contentious, and heated. So, it’s likely that the business relationship between Henry and Gillett has been fractured to the point that the two could not continue their agreement in NASCAR, which could possibly explain why RFR repossessed engines and cars. This, however, is purely speculation.

Another possible reason for the repossession is that RPM is in financial trouble. Back in April, it was reported that RPM was in default on a $90 million loan. At the time, Gillett indicated that the default was technical, meaning that RPM did not fulfill one of the obligations of the loan, not that they missed payments

But an anonymous source told the Sports Business Journal that Gillett’s explanation was false. The source said that the default was indeed payment-related. If that’s the case, the team could still be in financial trouble.

The news that RPM is in financial trouble is interesting, given that Richard Petty came out and said the team was considering a third team in 2011. Petty said:

We’ve talked to a lot of people about a third car, but our main deal is make sure we’ve got two really good cars, and then we try to do a third deal. We’ve got until the end of the year [to make a decision]. If we’re downgrading from four teams to three teams, we’ve still got plenty of everything it would take to run that third car. It wouldn’t be like just having two, and then all of a sudden we’ve got to go out and get cars, people and trucks and all the equipment to run the third car. We can wait a pretty [long time], I think, as far as being able to get cars ready.

That quote leads me to believe that whatever caused the issue between RFR and RPM occurred recently because the team wouldn’t be planning to expand if they were that close to going under. Unless, of course, this was posturing.

Earlier this year, RPM had no drivers under contract for next season.

Kasey Kahne announced he was leaving the team back in April, after signing a deal with Hendrick Motorsports to drive the No. 5 in 2012. He was slated to drive for Red Bull Racing next season; and he was taking his crew chief Kenny Francis with him. But, yesterday he was released from his contract, allowing him to go there five races early.

Budweiser, Kahne’s sponsor, decided to leave the team to join Richard Childress Racing’s No. 29 team and driver Kevin Harvick. Paul Menard is also leaving the team, taking his Menards sponsorship to RCR next season. And, Elliott Sadler announced in July that he was leaving the team.

Later that month, Marcos Ambrose was signed to replace Kahne in the No. 9 Ford with Stanley signing on to sponsor him. In August, AJ Allmendinger re-signed with the team.

Update: Jenna Fryer, of the AP, tweeted that RPM does have cars for next weekend’s Amp Energy 500 at Tallaedga Superspeedway. She wrote:

Free RPM! Free RPM! Hearing they have their Talladega cars, all is well in the world.

Update 2: There are rumors that RPM owes Kahne money, and that was part of the reason he asked for an early release. But, Kahne said that RPM met all of its financial obligations to him. He also defended his decision not to finish the race at Charlotte. He said that the decision to split was not the financial uncertainty surrounding RPM. He has agreed to honor his sponsorship commitments to Budweiser for the remainder of the year.

All four current RPM drivers were entering the final year of their contracts with the team this season. Kasey Kahne is departing the team at the end of the season to join Red Bull Racing for one year before joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2012. Paul Menard is leaving the team to join Richard Childress Racing next season. And, Elliott Sadler has indicated that he would not return to the team next season. He has yet to announce where he will drive next season.

Marcos Ambrose was signed earlier this year to drive for RPM with Stanley as a sponsor. And, AJ Allmendinger was re-signed to a multi-year extension.

Richard Petty said:

We’ve talked to a lot of people about a third car, but our main deal is make sure we’ve got two really good cars, and then we try to do a third deal. We’ve got until the end of the year [to make a decision]. If we’re downgrading from four teams to three teams, we’ve still got plenty of everything it would take to run that third car. It wouldn’t be like just having two, and then all of a sudden we’ve got to go out and get cars, people and trucks and all the equipment to run the third car. We can wait a pretty [long time], I think, as far as being able to get cars ready.

There has been no word of a potential driver, but with most of the free agents in 2011 being signed already, there aren’t many options for drivers. Sam Hornish could be available, as he was reported to have been given permission to seek other options, as he has not been re-signed by  Penske Racing. Justin Allgaier could also be a candidate, as he has been given permission by Penske to seek other options, as Verizon is leaving the team’s Nationwide car.

Aric Almorila was linked to the team earlier, but he has signed with JR Motorsports next season.

Sadler could also be brought back, though that may not be very likely.

Jay Abraham, COO of NASCAR Media Group said:

We are offering our fans a unique look back at some of the greatest races of all time, biggest legends of our sport and most historical moments ever captured on the racetrack. There has been a renewed interest in the history of the sport since the opening of the NASCAR Hall of Fame this past May, and we’re thrilled to be offering our fans a look back at some of the moments that helped transform this sport into the No. 2 spectator sport in the country.