Leffler Goes To Court To Keep #00 Ride

T

TonyB

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From That's Racin'

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Haas CNC Racing's efforts to put newcomer Blake Feese in its No. 00 Chevrolet for Saturday's NASCAR Busch Series race at Kansas Speedway has apparently hit a last-minute snag.
Jason Leffler, who has driven the No. 00 all season, obtained a temporary restraining order Late Thursday, preventing Haas from putting any other driver in the car.

The court order remains in effect until a hearing Friday morning, when Leffler's attorneys are expected to argue for a permanent injunction. That would allow Leffler to remain in the No. 00 car this weekend and for the remainder of the season, sources confirmed Thursday night.

Leffler has a contract to drive for Haas' Busch program for the 2004 season. He is expected to be named to drive Joe Gibbs Racing's third Nextel Cup entry, which is to debut next season.

An formal announcement about Gibbs' third team is planned for Wednesday. It has been widely reported that Federal Express will sponsor the new team and Wednesday's announcement is scheduled at the FedEx ramp at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport.

Earlier this week, Haas officials announced they were putting Feese, who has two Automobile Racing Club of America victories this season, in their No. 00 Chevrolet.

The move would effectively end Leffler's opportunity to compete for the 2004 Busch Series title, unless he could find another team for the remainder of the season. He is currently third in the standings.
 
The move would effectively end Leffler's opportunity to compete for the 2004 Busch Series title
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I would guess that even if he wins his opportunity to compete has ended. How much cooperation can he expect if he forces the issue? Can we say 3 minute pit stops. I see this as looking for a payday to tide him over until something else opens up. This could well back fire on him...
 
bp, I would certainly hope that the team would be much more professional than that. I have to side with Leffler on this one. He is 3rd in the Busch standings and deserves the chance to complete the season.
 
Originally posted by majestyx@Oct 8 2004, 08:16 AM
bp, I would certainly hope that the team would be much more professional than that. I have to side with Leffler on this one. He is 3rd in the Busch standings and deserves the chance to complete the season.
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I agree. Leffler deserves to have a chance at the title and if not with the #00 then another capable Busch Team. Maybe Joe Gibb's Racing would provide a ride for the rest of the Busch season. Then there is the contract? I wish him good luck. :)
 
Pretty crappy that a team owner would do this, but this is a free country and even though a contract is a contract, they've been broken plenty in this sport. I just see that there is something else going on here that we aren't being told, but that too is the nature of this sport. Obviously, Haas doesn't want Jason to win the title and why is the real question. :blink:
 
I guess it's just another one of those things that make you go hmmmmmmmm.
 
Isn't that the truth. Jason may win his appeal, but that doesn't mean that Haas has to put that car on the track. They can still field that same car with another number on it, but that wouldn't give them the team points that the 00 has won.
 
While I think that is a real possibility, I don't believe it would be in Haas' best interest to do that. But that's just my own opinion. ;)
 
Thats a pretty stupid move on the owners part. They may have drivers shy away from going to that team in the future. If a driver is third in points and they want to replace him imaging if they were 4th or 5th in points. It's just a really stupid business move. And just because Feese has 2 wins in another series doesn't mean squat to me. If Leffler looses his ride It will be interesting to see if Feese can stay there or how far back he will fall. Mabey Feese had an offer with another team? mabey Haas wants to warm up Feese for next season. <_< If Haas wins how many other teams might try this?
 
Someone remind me of why Hamilton Jr. was taken out of his ride. He was in the top 10 in points?? He moved on without rocking the boat. I think Haas got his feeling hurt and this was his way of striking back. As far as teams being professional, things can happen that aren't readily apparent to the driver or others...
 
My thoughts are that since Leffler is leaving after this year they are trying to get a head start on a new driver for next year. Yes and probably hard feelings also come into play.
 
HAAS got his feelings hurt?? Well he hired Jason last year to drive the Net "0" car, (Jason left a good ride fairly high in the points in the truck series) only to have Haas hire Ward Burton to drive the "0" car and put Jason into the Busch series. If Jason has a chance to get back with Gibbs in a decent ride for next year I sure don't blame him. I'd rather be in a Gibbs car than a Hass car anyday. It seems to me Haas could be cutting his nose off to spite his face, not only does it screw Jason from finishing as high in the points as he can ( I think 3rd is the highest possible at this point) but it also puts the owner points in jeapordy. JMHO
 
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