SGR employees were
informed yesterday that the team is shutting down, and all but one employee
was reportedly laid off. Multiple sources say the shutdown occurred after Gallaher informed Sharp that his
services would no longer be required. Sources close to the situation say the team
may subsequently be reopened under Gallaher’s sole ownership.
 |
| Bill Gallaher |
Gallaher, a resident of Santa
Rosa, California, is a successful real estate developer specializing in premium
retirement communities and serves as Chairman of the Board of First Community
Bank, based in that community. He was announced as Sharp’s new partner on
August 7 of this season, with Gallaher saying of his new partner, "Eddie has proven he is a winner, not only in racing
but also as a person which is exactly what I look for in a successful business
combination. (I) look forward to using my expertise to bring this team to a new
level of success.”
Sharp has crafted
a lengthy resume in the sport. He formed Eddie Sharp Racing in 2005 and quickly
became one of the dominant forces in ARCA Series racing. He won the 2009 ARCA championship
and finished second in 2007, 2008 and 2010, winning a total of 19 races. He
moved to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2011 after purchasing many of
the assets of Kevin Harvick, Inc., and won a pair of races in 2012 with drivers
Justin Lofton and Cale Gale.
The team fielded
Camping World Truck entries this season for a number of different
drivers, including Lofton, Austin Dillon, Max Gresham and Daniel Hemrick. SGR finished
a season-high third with Gresham at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, Lofton finished
fourth in the 2013 season opener at Daytona International Speedway.
Sharp was unavailable for comment today, attempts to contact Gallaher
were unsuccessful .
I wonder if this is Rick Ren's next stop! What is the word on Hornaday also.
ReplyDeleteI, also, wonder how this situation ties into Trey Hutchen's plans for next year.
I am sick and tired of outsiders with money coming in running our guys out of their own race teams! This has to stop some how some way!!
ReplyDelete(i.e George Gillette, Brandon Davis, Bill Gallaher)
It's ludicris these "business men" can get by with this.
Really????? Outsiders w/ Money Make it what it is. You think Sharp has Money????? It ain't hard if you can pay your bills and know how to balance a check book. this is what happens when poor decisions and Greed come into play. Mostly Greed!
DeleteIf they were able to run their teams successfully, they wouldn't have to look for outside businesspeople.
DeleteThey can't run a team with out money....That's why there are sponsors, partners etc. Takes millions to run a team for 1 season even in arca or K&N series, multi millions fo trucks ,Nationwide, More than that for cup. this day and age it takes Approx $150,000-$200,000 to run a local track, sat night show. It's all about the money...unfortunatly.
Delete