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closeMore testing on tap at Daytona, but Virginia team won't be there
Morgan McClure operation lays off employees
DAVID POOLE
The Charlotte Observer
Monday, Jan. 14, 2008
Sprint Cup testing returns to Daytona International Speedway on Monday with those teams that didn't get on the track last week beginning their work toward the 50th Daytona 500.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. showed up last Monday morning to watch his three new Hendrick Motorsports teammates at work, but this time he'll be behind the wheel of his No. 88 Chevrolet and under the watchful eyes of the NASCAR world.
But one team that's enjoyed success at Daytona won't be there Monday.
Morgan McClure Motorsports laid off most of its employees late last week and team president Tim Morgan said the team won't come to Daytona without sponsorship.
"We are basically closing the doors on 25 years of NASCAR racing if we don't find a sponsor," Morgan said.
Morgan McClure's No. 4 Chevrolet won the 1991 Daytona 500 with Ernie Irvan and then won the sport's biggest race in '94 and '95 with Sterling Marlin. Five of the team's 14 victories all-time have come at Daytona.
"This is a very hard day for me," team manager Larry McClure said. "I've had a lot of fun racing and it's just hard to believe it might come to this. We are still the best bargain in NASCAR if we could just find the right sponsor."
