Rob Kauffman - trying to salvage Martin Truex Jr. team

[dpkimmel2001]

Interesting article from the other half of MWR's point of view.

Michael Waltrip Racing co-owner Rob Kauffman is disappointed with the recent actions of his organization but is trying to come up with a plan for it to remain a three-car team.

That plan doesn’t appear to include him just pouring more money into the organization, which he co-owns with Michael Waltrip.

Kauffman has temporarily moved from New York to Charlotte to work on keeping the team on solid financial footing after the departure of Martin Truex Jr. sponsor NAPA, which decided to leave the team after MWR was severely penalized for trying to manipulate the Sept. 7 race at Richmond so Truex could make the Chase.

Whether that means Truex racing for the team next year, Kauffman was non-committal as he attended his first race since the incident at Richmond.

When asked about his plan, Kauffman didn’t bring up sponsoring the cars himself.

“I’m looking at all kinds of different scenarios,” Kauffman said Sunday at Dover International Speedway. “It’s obviously pretty early. I’m doing my level best to figure it out as quickly as possible.

“I’ve basically packed a big bag, relocated to Charlotte and I’m not leaving until we get it sorted out.”

Kauffman bought into MWR during MWR’s inaugural 2007 season and rescued it from having to shut down after Waltrip found himself in a financial crisis.

Read the rest here.

 

[Lazyking]

Himm good for Kauffmann. I'm not really sure what he could do unless he has enough stroke to find them a sponsor.

 

[hidesert cowboy]

this doesn't sound like anything out of the ordinary to me. why look at pouring money into the deal right off the bat. That to me would be a last ditch option after everything has been exhausted. The RK motors sponsorship was just a fill in deal. That was done instead of the cars running blank that race. Its too bad newman took quicken loans to RCR and made the deal there, perhaps if the timing was better he could fit in at MWR.

 

[Nitro Dude]

Even if they had to drop back to a two car team I don't think it would be the end of the world for MWR. Infact it might even be a plus for them, that would allow them to consentrate more on two cars instead of three. But, it would mean layoffs for a lot of MWR employees. But, in business sometime you have to take a couple of steps back in order to move forward.

 

[hawg dawg]

"if team breaks even.....is competitive.....i'm happy. but must be commercially viable." mrn article.

guy didn't become bilionaire w/o biz savvy. gonna be interestin ta see what he does.

 

[Joniki]

Mikey should have pulled up his big girl panties and ate some crow the night of the shenanigans.

 

[Greg]

Some corporate BS would probably help. Announce a big restructuring overhaul and displace Mikey for about six months (but for press releases claim it as a long term indefinite LoA). Mikey can go around the Oprah and speaking seminar circuits in sack cloth and ashes while weeping about how the corruption ruined him. The softie sweeties will love him.

Phase 1: Kaufman can promote a new ethical vision. Phase 2: Secure another big time sponsor
Phase 3: Mikey weasels his way back in
Phase 4: Back to square one