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closeExisting Yates shop might solve short-term need for Petty operation
JIM UTTER
The Charlotte Observer
Friday, Nov. 02, 2007
FORT WORTH, Texas - Although the organization would prefer to find a location in the Salisbury, N.C., area for a new race headquarters, Petty Enterprises will likely move into a short-term home in Mooresville, said Robbie Loomis, executive vice president for racing operations at Petty Enternprises.
Officials with Petty and Robert Yates Racing have been working on a three-year lease deal for the Yatess shop in Mooresville, The Charlotte Observer and ThatsRacin.com have learned. RYR is expected to be vacated next month, while Doug Yates Racing, which is taking its place, moves to a location near the airport in Concord, N.C.
Loomis would not confirm a deal had been completed, but said the Yates shop was an option while the organization keeps looking for a permanent home near Salisbury.
"We've talked about trying to get a better location and more modern facility," Loomis said. "There are a lot of emotions involved; there are a lot of people involved.
"The Yates building is something we're very interested in because it's a unique opportunity that only comes up every five or 10 years. It just happens to be the best fit for us and our sponsors. The No. 1 thing is to keep the 'P' in Petty Enterprises and keep that feel. We have a lot of work to do."
From 1954 to 1979, Petty Enterprises, based in Level Cross, N.C., won 10 championships in NASCAR?s premier series. Three of those championships came with Lee Petty driving the No. 42, and a record seven championships came with Richard Petty driving the No. 43.
Petty currently fields Cup cars for drivers Kyle Petty and Bobby Labonte and plans to work closely on chassis and engines with Gillett-Evernham Motorsports next season.