Signs of the harsh economic times that will prevail in the near future in NASCAR as Dale Earnhart Jr announces that he will scale down its Nationwide team, JR Motorsports, to only a one car operation next season.
Lack of sponsorship is forcing the Sprint Cup star driver to downsize and close operations for the No 5 entry, retaining only the No 88 car and forces about 20 employees to be laid off.
"It's tough," Earnhardt told ESPN.com. "Not only is there a lack of interest in sponsoring the Nationwide Series (that) is probably going to be growing over the next year or so, but there's those other hurdles you don't think about."
Brad Keselowski will be back for a full season; however, sponsorship has yet to be confirmed for that team.
photo:NASCAR
Lack of sponsorship is forcing the Sprint Cup star driver to downsize and close operations for the No 5 entry, retaining only the No 88 car and forces about 20 employees to be laid off.
"It's tough," Earnhardt told ESPN.com. "Not only is there a lack of interest in sponsoring the Nationwide Series (that) is probably going to be growing over the next year or so, but there's those other hurdles you don't think about."
Brad Keselowski will be back for a full season; however, sponsorship has yet to be confirmed for that team.
photo:NASCAR