Post by dalejrfan on Jun 7, 2006 2:08:50 GMT -5
MB2 Motorsports boss confirms interest in deal with NASCAR powerhouse DEI
New rules, NASCAR's 'Tomorrowland' driving talks, Frye says
DOVER, Del. - MB2 Motorsports general manager and CEO Jay Frye confirmed Sunday his organization and Dale Earnhardt Inc. have been exploring several scenarios in which they could partner to make both teams more efficient.
The driving force behind the idea is the implementation of NASCAR’s “Car of Tomorrow” into the Nextel Cup Series next season, Frye said.
“We’ve been looking at the ‘Car of Tomorrow,’ what’s going to go on, how it’s going to work, that type of thing. Lots of things are going on and the sport is changing in many ways,” he said.
“How can we become more efficient? That’s really how our conversation started with (DEI). They’re building new cars, new transmissions. They have two cars, we have two cars. We’re looking at some ideas on how to make things more efficient for both of our companies.”
Frye said that could mean MB2 builds the new-designed Cup cars, while DEI focuses on the current Cup car design. It could also mean sharing of shop space and employees.
Regardless of the outcome, Frye expects a decision to be made within a month.
"This ‘Car of Tomorrow’ thing is about to start. You got get going here pretty soon. We’re probably going to need 40 of these cars,” he said. “It’s almost like a speedway program where somebody has to be in charge of that program.”
Frye backed away from published reports claiming MB2 was looking to sell to DEI, but admitted “anything is possible.”
“The intention of all this has nothing to do with (a sale), it has to do with how we can become more efficient together. And that is the question, can we?” he said.
"It’s about us growing our company. How do we survive in the world and how it’s changing? If we’re going to do this, you can’t decide to do it in December and think it will become efficient.”
DEI currently fields Chevrolets for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Martin Truex Jr. and will added current Busch Series driver Paul Menard to its Cup lineup in 2007. MB2 fields Chevys for Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemechek.
Frye said he expected to discuss the issue Sunday with Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, which provides engines for MB2's teams.
New rules, NASCAR's 'Tomorrowland' driving talks, Frye says
DOVER, Del. - MB2 Motorsports general manager and CEO Jay Frye confirmed Sunday his organization and Dale Earnhardt Inc. have been exploring several scenarios in which they could partner to make both teams more efficient.
The driving force behind the idea is the implementation of NASCAR’s “Car of Tomorrow” into the Nextel Cup Series next season, Frye said.
“We’ve been looking at the ‘Car of Tomorrow,’ what’s going to go on, how it’s going to work, that type of thing. Lots of things are going on and the sport is changing in many ways,” he said.
“How can we become more efficient? That’s really how our conversation started with (DEI). They’re building new cars, new transmissions. They have two cars, we have two cars. We’re looking at some ideas on how to make things more efficient for both of our companies.”
Frye said that could mean MB2 builds the new-designed Cup cars, while DEI focuses on the current Cup car design. It could also mean sharing of shop space and employees.
Regardless of the outcome, Frye expects a decision to be made within a month.
"This ‘Car of Tomorrow’ thing is about to start. You got get going here pretty soon. We’re probably going to need 40 of these cars,” he said. “It’s almost like a speedway program where somebody has to be in charge of that program.”
Frye backed away from published reports claiming MB2 was looking to sell to DEI, but admitted “anything is possible.”
“The intention of all this has nothing to do with (a sale), it has to do with how we can become more efficient together. And that is the question, can we?” he said.
"It’s about us growing our company. How do we survive in the world and how it’s changing? If we’re going to do this, you can’t decide to do it in December and think it will become efficient.”
DEI currently fields Chevrolets for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Martin Truex Jr. and will added current Busch Series driver Paul Menard to its Cup lineup in 2007. MB2 fields Chevys for Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemechek.
Frye said he expected to discuss the issue Sunday with Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, which provides engines for MB2's teams.