DEI and MB2? UPDATE merge?

BobbyFord

BobbyFord

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DEI and MB2? UPDATE merge? There's speculation that Teresa Earnhardt [who own's DEI, #1,#8,#15] is planning to buy MB2 Motorsports, with drivers #01-Joe Nemechek and #14-Sterling Marlin, in addition to the ongoing speculation that she may be planning to sell DEI to John Menard, a home-improvements czar who has long been involved in racing. Marlin, who drives for the Jay Frye-run MB2 Chevy operation, said he has heard the sale talk, but that he doesn't know what's going on. Ryan Pemberton, the crew chief for Nemechek, said he has talked with Frye about it, but he's not sure, either, what might be going on behind the scenes. Earnhardt doesn't grant interviews, and Frye isn't due here until today. So yesterday it was up to Richie Gilmore, the general manager at DEI, to try to explain the situation. "We're not selling out," Gilmore said. "Our plans right now are to go to a three-car operation next year with Paul Menard (John's son). John is a great sponsor for us, and we do a lot with Menard's, engines, and he's at our company a lot, and I guess people speculate when they see him around."(Winston Salem Journal)(6-3-2006)
UPDATE: According to sources in the NASCAR garage MB2 Motorsports could merge with, or be sold to Dale Earnhardt Inc. MB2 still has unsold sponsorship inventory available for Sterling Marlin's #14 car, and the team's other driver, #01-Joe Nemechek, is said to be on Toyota's short list for 2007.(Ford Racing)(6-4-2006)
 
Something doesn't make sense. Why would Teresa buy MB2 and then sell all of it to Menard. If she is wanting out and Menard is wanting in couldn't he buy MB2 himself? Or DEI?
Also,
Earnhardt doesn't grant interviews, and Frye isn't due here until today.
Click to expand...
Frye is coming on these boards. Wow. What's his handle. I know I'll want to see what he has to say... ;)
 
barelypure said:
Something doesn't make sense. Why would Teresa buy MB2 and then sell all of it to Menard. If she is wanting out and Menard is wanting in couldn't he buy MB2 himself? Or DEI?
Click to expand...

The way I was reading it is she was going to buy MB2 and sell DEI to Menard not MB2, which still makes Zero sense since DEI is clearly the superior team of the two. Nothing against MB2
 
MB2 has denied this rumor and Teresa refuses to give interviews, so...

I tend to think this is just rumor fodder that some newsy guy thought might work well with the fans. With Paul Menard on the road to Cup in the 15 and Jr. and Truex already out of the shops, adding two more would be counter productive since NASCAR will be heading to the four team limit soon. But I wouldn't put to bed the notion that Menard is trying to buy a team or two just yet. Now I could see him trying to buy MB2 and teaming with DEI but having son Paul driving for him. Until they have the team limit rule, there will undoubtably be many rumors about teams being sold here and there.
 
again, i don't believe jayski. And we saw what happened when robby used menard engines..boom...boom...boom..boom. Imagine 5 cars runnign those engines. I'd like to hope if it does happen, DEI continues their own engines.

however, remember MB2 currently is living off of life support via hendrick motorsports. Would they risk that deal?
 
MB2 Motorsports boss confirms interest in deal with NASCAR powerhouse DEI
New rules, NASCAR's 'Tomorrowland' driving talks, Frye says
By JIM UTTER
The Charlotte Observer
More racing news? ThatsRacin.com
DOVER, Del. - MB2 Motorsports general manager and CEO Jay Frye confirmed Sunday his organization and Dale Earnhardt Inc. have been exploring several scenarios in which they could partner to make both teams more efficient.

The driving force behind the idea is the implementation of NASCAR’s “Car of Tomorrow” into the Nextel Cup Series next season, Frye said.

“We’ve been looking at the ‘Car of Tomorrow,’ what’s going to go on, how it’s going to work, that type of thing. Lots of things are going on and the sport is changing in many ways,” he said.

“How can we become more efficient? That’s really how our conversation started with (DEI). They’re building new cars, new transmissions. They have two cars, we have two cars. We’re looking at some ideas on how to make things more efficient for both of our companies.”

Frye said that could mean MB2 builds the new-designed Cup cars, while DEI focuses on the current Cup car design. It could also mean sharing of shop space and employees.

Regardless of the outcome, Frye expects a decision to be made within a month.

"This ‘Car of Tomorrow’ thing is about to start. You got get going here pretty soon. We’re probably going to need 40 of these cars,” he said. “It’s almost like a speedway program where somebody has to be in charge of that program.”

Frye backed away from published reports claiming MB2 was looking to sell to DEI, but admitted “anything is possible.”

“The intention of all this has nothing to do with (a sale), it has to do with how we can become more efficient together. And that is the question, can we?” he said.

"It’s about us growing our company. How do we survive in the world and how it’s changing? If we’re going to do this, you can’t decide to do it in December and think it will become efficient.”

DEI currently fields Chevrolets for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Martin Truex Jr. and will added current Busch Series driver Paul Menard to its Cup lineup in 2007. MB2 fields Chevys for Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemechek.

Frye said he expected to discuss the issue Sunday with Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, which provides engines for MB2's teams.
 
They're trying to compete with Roush and Hendrick.
It'll be even harder once Yates becomes part of Roush racing:)
 
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