#32 Team News and Links Page
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PPI Motorsports
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(not posting new unofficial sites anymore: too many have no updates, are old, driver bashing)
#32 Team Past News and Rumors
(NOTE: some older links may not work)
Contract Status: Driver: 2006; Sponsor: 2006
- PPI Motorsports to be Auctioned off: The #32 PPI Motorsports Nextel Cup team, owned by Cal Wells III is up for auction for: Race Shop - Fab Shop - Machine Shop - Office Equipment - Race Cars - Chassis Dyno - 5th Wheel Trailer - Motor Coach- Equipment of All Kinds, from Wednesday, April 18th thru Sunday, April 22nd at Sentman Auctions.(4-17-2007)
- Gordon's shop not ready...Cal Wells helps out UPDATE 2: #7-Robby Gordon said Friday that his new shop in Charlotte, N.C., will not be ready in May as he had hoped. “The weather this winter has just killed us,” said Gordon. “We’re moving dirt and getting up to speed on that, it’s just taking longer than I wanted, to be honest with you, to get the stuff in place.” The Nextel Cup owner/driver did not have a firm completion date, but said the pouring of the foundation for the new home of Robby Gordon Motorsports should be “in the next couple of weeks.” Gordon also has enlisted the help of former NASCAR Nextel Cup team owner Cal Wells III. “Cal’s been coming to work with us on race weekends and observing,” said Gordon Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway. “He’s just trying to help me in any way he can with the experience that he has.” As for the new Fusion Car of Tomorrow, Gordon is enthusiastic. “I’m fine with the new car,” said Gordon, who once again is without a sponsor this weekend. “I think it’s the great equalizer. We just haven’t got our piece figured out yet.”(Ford Racing)(3-25-2007)
UPDATE: Former car owner Cal Wells said he's in talks with sponsors and an ownership group to be part of a two-car effort next season. Wells said he hopes to have a deal done later this spring. He would be a minority owner in the team but run it.(Roanoke Times)(3-26-2007)
UPDATE 2: from Cal Wells III: "I have known the entire Gordon family for decades. Robby's father drove for me in my early years of off-road racing and Robby has driven for me in off-road and in Indy car. We've had our good times and our challenges, been mad at each other, supported each other, but most of all, we've remained family friends. He and his sisters along with his mom and dad and step-mom, all good friends. As Robby's racing organization continues to develop, it is going through what all small businesses go through, a challenging evolution, Rob reached out for some advice but nothing more. I don't work there, haven't taken a job there, just helping him out a little bit on a couple of deals he is working on, which if successful will really establish his organization as a force in the garage area. Our relationship works best when I offer supportive suggestions but not for compensation or an obligation from him to follow any of them. As for myself, I am actually working on a couple of opportunities which will hopefully keep me in the sport I so dearly love. Time and hard work will tell."(3-27-2007)
- #32 Team closed after Homestead? UPDATE 2 not yet: hearing that PPI Motorsports will close up shop after the 2006 season, that the pit crew has been hired by Michael Waltrip Racing and most of the team/crew at the shop has been laid off. Driver Travis Kvapil, as announced, will drive a Roush Racing Truck in 2007. Sponsor Tide is leaving after this season and word is that they will not be back in NASCAR as a sponsor.(11-18-2006)
UPDATE: Sunday’s “Ford 400” at Homestead-Miami Speedway was likely the final ride for Cal Wells and his PPI Racing Team. Longtime sponsor Tide announced a few weeks ago that it will leave the team (and the sport) at the end of the season, and Wells has been unsuccessful in securing a new backer for his struggling Nextel Cup team. Sources close to the situation say Wells informed his employees that he will close the doors later this week, after a hoped-for sponsorship deal fell through.(Motorsports Soapbox)(11-24-2006)
UPDATE 2: The doors are still open at PPI Motorsports, but the downsizing continues as owner Cal Wells laid off six employees on Wednesday and now has a staff of nine at his Hickory, NC shop. The total will remain there for the time being but will be reduced to four by January unless a sponsor comes through to keep the #32 Nextel Cup team on the track in 2007. Wells signed a contract with a company based in California's Silicon Valley back in June but said the company, which he wouldn't name, has changed its business philosophy and isn't ready to invest in motorsports at this time. Wells found that was tough to take after spending more than two years working with the company. NASCAR worked with Wells to attract the sponsor, and Wells is grateful for that help, saying NASCAR can't be blamed for the company's decision. Wells said he's been able to place many of his employees with other teams, including Michael Waltrip Racing, saying, "very few of them" are on the unemployment line. While the owner plans to register the #32 with NASCAR for 2007, it will take something out of the blue to field a team next season. At the moment, he's talking with people interested in buying all of the team's equipment and inventory. "There are a couple of folks that are looking at running a limited program [in '07], and we're just perfect," he said. "They could come in and start a new lease - our lease is up on the building, but the owners [really want] to have somebody in here. We're trying to work a deal where we can just hand the keys [to the shop] to somebody and lease back some office space." Wells said he's "pricing it to sell" and will see what happens. The employees on hand are inventorying the equipment and preparing it to be shown to additional parties. Wells will keep four employees through January before deciding on the next step. And he hopes the sponsor eventually steps up to the plate. "I'm keeping PPI as a business. I'm going to enter my number for next year. And I'm working on some other things that I can hopefully partner up or do something. I've still got some other deals out there cooking."(SceneDaily.com)(12-1-2006)
- Kvapil back to the Truck Series? UPDATE 2: on Speed Channel's SPEED Report, Ray Dunlap reported that 2003 Truck Series Champ could be headed back to the Craftsman Truck Series full time in 2007, possibly driving the #6 for Roush Racing. No word if Kvapil would still drive full time in Nextel Cup and stay with Cal Wells and the #32 Chevy.(11-6-2006)
UPDATE: Travis Kvapil will announce later this week that he will return to the Craftsman Truck Series next season, driving the #6 Ford for Roush Racing. Kvapil has two races remaining on his one-year contract with PPI Motorsports, but team owner Cal Wells has been unable to land a sponsor to replace longtime backer Tide, prompting Kvapil to explore his options elsewhere. Appearing at a charity event last night in his native Winsconsin, Kvapil said, "Something should be happening within a couple days. All I can say right now is that this is the opportunity I've been hoping for my whole career. It's a chance to drive for a team that has a solid foundation." In addition to steering the #6 Ford Truck, Kvapil may also drive a limited schedule of events in Nextel Cup and/or Busch Series action next season.(Motorsports Soapbox)
UPDATE 2: With the departure of Mark Martin, Roush Racing was presented with the question of who would fill his shoes in the #6 Roush Racing Ford in the Craftsman Truck Series. That question was answered this week when Roush signed former Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil to pilot the Ford that Martin drove to five victories in 13 attempts this season. “It’s a great opportunity to join an organization that constantly demonstrates its ability to compete successfully in all areas of competition,” said Kvapil. “I’m looking forward to reestablishing a record of excellent competitive results in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and hope that I can continue competing successfully for a long time with Roush Racing.” At this point the #6 Roush Racing Ford is without a sponsor but Roush Racing president Geoff Smith believes that now that a driver has been chosen for the truck, a sponsor announcement will likely follow.(Roush Racing PR)(11-14-2006)
- #32 Jackman wins Driver Championship: Eric Wilson, jackman for PPI Motorsports and the #32-Tide/Downy race team with driver Travis Kvapil won the ISCARS Championship after finishing eighth in the ISCARS Championship 150 at Florence Motor Speedway on Saturday night. The final margin of victory was 22 points. Finishing second in the championship standings was Danny Bagwell and winning the race was Johnny Chapman.(PPI Motorsports)(11-1-2006)
- Wells hopes to secure #32 sponsor soon: Cal Wells hopes to secure sponsorship for his #32 PPI Motorsports Chevy shortly, saying there are still just a few details to be ironed out. One of them is the identity of the driver, as Travis Kvapil is exploring other options while waiting to see if Wells gets a deal locked down. "I'm talking to anybody who's willing to talk right now. Just kind of exploring options and seeing what's out there," Kvapil said Oct. 29. "If I go back to the [Craftsman] Truck Series, it's going to be a move for the long term, not just for a year or two. ... I'm going to have to do something pretty quick here, because it would be nice to know where we're going to land." Wells hopes to spend this week working out the final details of a sponsorship that could allow him to keep Kvapil. "There are details still to pull together that, if it all comes together, are going to be pretty profound," Wells said. "We would like to keep Travis, but he's got some other opportunities, so we'll see how that goes." Wells had hoped to announce his deal earlier this month, but said the presentation is important. "From an agreement perspective, we're there, done," he said. "But there's just some details that are going to be very positively impactful to the whole program and we're just not at the point of being able to do [the announcement]."(SceneDaily.com), current sponsor, Tide, is rumored to be leaving the sport.(10-30-2006)
- #32 Tide Team jackman racing for ISCARS Championship: Nextel Cup Series PPI Racing #32 Tide [Travis Kvapil] team jackman. ISCARS driver Eric Wilson, is on the verge of clinching the 2006 ISCARS Dash Touring Championship this Saturday, October 28. Wilson picked up his first career win in April at Hickory Motor Speedway and motored to a point lead he has yet to relinquish all season long. The driver of the #4 Huntington House/John Boy & Billy Pontiac Sunfire has won four races this season and is returning to the track where he picked up his most recent win in September. Danny Bagwell is Wilson’s closest challenger, fifty points back. Bagwell has momentum on his side after beating Wilson to the checkers two weeks ago at Hickory Motor Speedway in the Firecracker 150 and at Shenandoah Speedway in July.(ISCARS PR)(10-24-2006)
- Tide gone from PPI? UPDATE 3: hearing Tide will NOT being going to RYR as a sponsor and will NOT be back as a full primary sponsor in 2007 on any Nextel Cup team, currently Tide sponsors the #32 PPI Motorsports Chevy that Travis Kvapil drives.(7-9-2006)
UPDATE: After struggling for several seasons against the three- and four-car teams that have become the norm in Nextel Cup, single-car team owner Cal Wells still is in search of an alliance with another team that would help take his program to the next level.
However, Wells is losing primary sponsor Tide at the conclusion of the 2006 season, and driver Travis Kvapil also been courted by other teams. Sources within the garage indicate that Wells has been talking to several teams – including Yates – about a possible alliance for next year, which also makes Wells a potential Ford team next year should a deal with Yates be made. Wells currently campaigns Chevrolets. As of now, Wells also has no manufacturer commitment for 2007.(Yahoo Sports)(9-23-2006)
UPDATE 2: Tide officials have yet to inform Cal Wells of their 2007 plans, but the owner of PPI Motorsports is working as if he needs a new primary sponsor for his #32 Chevy. "I'm not working as though they're coming back. I'm working as if they're potentially an associate - only because I don't know," Wells said Saturday at Dover International Speedway. "In the past, we've always [re-signed] with them early, but this year they've got a lot of [internal things to deal with]." Wells sited new executives within the company as well as increased distribution costs as factors that will come into play as the sponsor decides its next step. Wells is working to secure primary sponsorship for Travis Kvapil's team, and needs it in place before making a formal offer to Kvapil. The driver said that he has a feeling Tide won't be a full-time sponsor with any organization next year. Kvapil said he hasn't heard from Michael Waltrip of late and he doesn't see Michael Waltrip Racing as an option. Wells said Tide isn't talking with other teams, and that he's given the company numerous proposals to study. "I think Tide may now have an idea of what their plans are, but they haven't shared them with me yet," Wells said. "We have been talking about [the fact] we have another deal cooking and when would we announce that versus when would they make their plans known. Are they gonna stay with us on this other deal? Are they going to do their own car? What are they going to do?"(SceneDaily.com)(9-24-2006)
UPDATE 3: been told that not only is Tide not returning to the #32 PPI Motorsports team as thier sponsor in 2007, but that Tide will not sponsor any teams/cars in any of the three NASCAR National Series [Cup, Busch, Trucks].(10-23-2006)
- Revelocity Racing partners with PPI Motorosports: Revelocity Racing, in preparation for a NASCAR racing debut, has signed a letter of intent to partner with [#32-Travis Kvapil/Tide Chevy] PPI Motorsports. "After meeting with Cal [Wells, the owner] and his team, we realized PPI Motorsports has the experience and talent we're looking for to help our team become successful," Jason Hager, CEO of Revelocity Racing, said. "Our intent is for Revelocity Racing and PPI Motorsports to work together, functioning as a multi-car organization and allowing us to be more competitive as a team." PPI, a North Carolina based team, was established in 1979 by Calvin (Cal) Wells III. The company has experience NASCAR Winston Cup, Off-Road, CART, Busch and Toyota Atlantic racing programs, and currently is home to the #32-Tide Racing NASCAR Nextel Cup Series team. PPI Motorsports has earned wins in nearly every division in which it has competed, and celebrated their 25th year of racing in 2005. PPI Motorsports currently occupies an 80,000 square foot facility in Hickory, NC, which has been the home of their NASCAR Nextel Cup efforts since 1999.(Revelocity Racing PR)(10-23-2006)
- Wimmer/Kvapil not signed for 2007: #32-Travis Kvapil and #4-Scott Wimmer - two experienced drivers who have had to qualify on speed all season and have done just that most of time - have talked to other Nextel Cup teams then the ones they currently drive for, but whether they will end up eelsewhere in 2007 remains to be seen. Kvapil said he has agreed with PPI Motorsports owner Cal Wells that he would try to have a decision by the end of August. There are three main rides open - Michael Waltrip Racing [#00], Team Red Bull [unknown #] and Robert Yates Racing [#88]. "It's not really that hard to figure out [who I'm talking to]," Kvapil said. "There are only a couple of seats left to shake out. I've had conversations but that really doesn't mean anything [is certain]. I just want to make sure whatever I do is best for me and my future. Last year and this year, I haven't really had the performance, I'm afraid. Another year or two of that, my days might be limited in this garage. Basically where it's at, I told him I wanted a month to see how everything shakes out," Kvapil said. "I had been contacted by a few other teams and there were conversations. I didn't feel I was comfortable to make a commitment and then a couple of weeks down the road regret that decision."
Wimmer, who made his Nextel Cup debut in 2000, has qualified for 18 of the 21 races this year. He said the Morgan-McClure Motorsports team does not have a sponsor for next season. Wimmer said he could end up in the Busch Series next year. Sponsorship could determine the drivers.(SceneDaily.com)(8-20-2003)
- Fellows side of the penalty: The Nextel Cup officials stole a top 10-finish from Toronto's #32-Ron Fellows Sunday at the Watkins Glen AMD at the Glen. Fellows was trying to avoid a huge wreck in the chicane on the final lap of the race by cutting across the so-called "bus stop" at the Glen. "They told us in the drivers' meeting we had to come to a complete stop if we missed the chicane," a still steamed Fellows said yesterday. "But I wasn't trying to gain a position I was just avoiding a wreck. Drivers go down pit lane at 180mph. on ovals to avoid accidents and they are never penalized." Fellows was knocked to 32nd from tenth after the race by NASCAR. The worst of it was that Fellows had a top-10 car, maybe even a car capable of winning his first Nextel Cup race to go with his five wins in the Busch and Truck series.(Toronto Sun)(8-15-2006)
- Fellows back in the #32: Ron Fellows is back in the #32 Tide Ride for PPI Motorsports at Watkins Glen International. Car owner Cal Wells agreed to sign the road course specialist to drive for PPIM at the two Cup road course events shortly after last year’s Watkins Glen race concluded. [Regular driver Travis Kvapil will sit out the race this week] Last season, Fellows drove the Tide Ride for PPI Motorsports in both road course events. He started 43rd and finished 8th at Infineon Raceway (the best result of the year for PPI). And at Watkins Glen International, he started 37th (lined up on owner points due to rain) and finished 25th after a mechanical issue ended the driver’s top-10 run The AMD at the Glen marks Fellows 15th NASCAR Nextel Cup race of his career. He will be attempting to start in his ninth NASCAR Nextel Cup race at the 2.45-mile road course.(PPI Motorsports site)(8-10-2006)
- WIth the loss of UPS, what is up with RYR? Leicht? Ward? Tide? UPDATE Tide gone?: [#88 Team Owner Robert] Yates made it clear he has no ill feelings toward the UPS executives who opted to make the move [to Waltrip and leaving RYR]. He placed blame on himself for allowing the team's performance to decline the past few years. Yates, though, is optimistic things will turn around soon and still envisions a scenario in which Robert Yates Racing fields four Cup teams next year. First, though, he must find a driver and sponsor for Jarrett's #88 Ford. A leading candidate on the sponsorship front is CitiFinancial, which sponsors RYR's Busch Series team. Stephen Leicht could move into that seat as well. "We think enough of him and we feel like with enough effort this year and energy put forth, I think he'll be able to drive this Cup car very easily," said Yates, adding that Leicht could make a few Nextel Cup starts later this season. Ward Burton's name has also been linked to RYR and the owner said that's a possibility. If CitiFinancial were to move up to replace UPS, and Burton brought a sponsor with him, that would give Yates at least a three-car program for next year. "We certainly have room. He's talking to some really good sponsors and if they want to jump in and do something, I think that's a good package," Yates said of Burton. "If somebody believes in Ward, and Ward believes in them and he believes in us, I think that that would fill out 25 percent of our deal." While there is still speculation #38-Elliott Sadler [the other Yates driver] could opt to move elsewhere for next year, Yates said his goal is to make the team so attractive that Sadler wouldn't consider leaving.(SceneDaily.com)
AND Citi Financial, which sponsors Yates's Busch efforts, may be ready for a major role, Doug Yates said. He also noted that Tide, which has backed Cal Wells's team since 2000, will be contractually free after this season and may be available.(Speed Channel)(7-8-2006)
UPDATE: hearing Tide will NOT being going to RYR as a sponsor and will NOT be back as a full primary sponsor in 2007 on any Nextel Cup team, currently Tide sponsors the #32 PPI Motorsports Chevy that Travis Kvapil drives.(7-9-2006)
- Kvapil and Team to Appear on Guiding Light: 2006 Emmy Award-winner Kim Zimmer and the CBS soap Guiding Light hit the track today with NASCAR driver Travis Kvapil and the Tide Racing Team when the show taped on location at the Hickory Motor Speedway in Hickory, NC. The soap also plans to tape tomorrow at the team’s race shop which is also located in Hickory. The storyline revolves around Zimmer’s character, the strong-willed Reva Shayne Lewis and her battle with breast cancer. Thanks to the encouragement from her doctor Colin McCabe (played by Paul Fitzgerald) and Kvapil, Reva gets the chance to take the wheel of the infamous Tide Ride in an attempt to prove that her diagnosis will not stop her from living out her dreams. The scenes shot at the Speedway and the race shop will air on Wednesday, June 28.(PPI Motorsports)(6-7-2006)
- Fellows in the #32 at Infineon Raceway, and Watkins Glen UPDATE: A brand new NASCAR Nextel Cup chassis built by world famous racing engineering firm Pratt and Miller should provide Ron Fellows with renewed hope to earn his first victory in stock car's top series next month in California. Fellows tested the much heralded chassis -- one he will use in his attempt to win the Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway June 25 in the #32 PPI Motorsports Chevy -- at Virginia International Raceway yesterday. Fellows has a long and hugely successful history with Pratt and Miller who have prepared his winning #3 Corvettes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours at Daytona and for his three American Le Mans Series GT1 championships. Even though it was his first time in the new car yesterday, Fellows already was confident it will fare much better than the car he had in 2005 at Infineon when he earned a top-10 finish. A big part of Fellows' hopes for the #32 Chevrolet this time around is that Pratt and Miller purpose built the car with him in mind. But it was on the track where Fellows saw a huge improvement over many of his previous Cup cars. Nextel Cup points leader #48-Jimmie Johnson -- who Pratt and Miller also built a road course chassis for -- was at VIR yesterday with Fellows. "We compared very favourably with Jimmie's speeds," Fellows said. "That's really good to have that kind of benchmark." Fellows said the car still has some handling issues but he is confident the team will work them out before the Infineon race. "At Infineon you need a car that is really good in the turns," he said. "We are sure we will be able to get this car to unload near perfect next month." He said he was sharing information with the #48 team and in return was able to gauge his progress off of another Hendrick Motorsports team -- the #25 Chevrolet of Brian Vickers -- who was running an in-house chassis. Fellows hopes to get on another round of tests for team owner Cal Wells after the Infineon race to prepare for Nextel Cup's second road course event in August at Watkins Glen.(Toronto Sun), Travis Kavpil is the regular driver of the #32 PPI Motorsports Chevy. but the team is mired outside the top-35 in owners points.(5-17-2006)
UPDATE: PPI Motorsports (PPIM) announced today that road course expert Ron Fellows will once again drive the #32 Tide/Downy Chevy in the Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway on June 25. As for the team’s full-time driver Travis Kvapil, he will take over the reigns of the #78 Furniture Row Chevy for Kenny Wallace who has a Busch Series commitment. Both drivers will be racing identically prepared chassis built by Pratt and Miller Engineering and Fabrication … the same company responsible for the highly successful Corvette Racing program and its domination of the American Le Mans Series for which Fellows is a driver. So far, Kvapil and Fellows have participated in three days of testing at Virginia International Raceway (May 16, 30 & 31) with another test scheduled with Kvapil going solo since Fellows is in France participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans festivities and race.(PPI Motorsports Site)(6-1-2006)
- Ince and #32 PPI part ways UPDATE: been told that the #32 PPI Motorsports / Tide team and crew chief James Ince have parted way. No word on the new crew chief. Ince is actively seeking a new position in the sport.(4-3-2006)
UPDATE: PPI Motorsports officials say Gary Putnam will take over as crew chief of the #32 Chevy driven by Travis Kvapil in the Nextel Cup Series. Putnam, who was the team's competition director, will immediately assume the duties of James Ince. Officials say Ince, who also served as team manager, has been released to pursue other opportunities.(SceneDaily.com)(4-4-2006)
- #32 Fire: Been told the #32 Tide Chevy caught fire in the Las Vegas Motor Speedway garage this morning when the team was warming up the engine, supposedly a loose oil line caused the problem...besides blowing out all the fire retardant to put out the fire..team is replacing some heat shields and will not change motors or have to go to the back.(PRN's Garage Pass)(3-12-2006)
- #32 and #78 to share resources: Nextel Cup's #78 Furniture Row Racing of Denver has joined forces with North Carolina-based PPI Motorsports. The single-car teams agreed to share resources and manpower, according to Furniture Row backup driver Jerry Robertson of Arvada [CO]. Robertson, who might replace veteran driver Kenny Wallace in the #78 Chevrolet later in the season, will become teammates with PPI driver Travis Kvapil, who drives the #32 Tide-sponsored Chevy.(Denver Post)(3-6-2006)
- New Assoc. for #32: #32 PPI Motorsports announced a one-race associate sponsorship with Yakety Yak Wireless Inc. (YYWI). The partnership spans throughout the upcoming Daytona Speedweeks which culminates in the sport’s season opener, The Daytona 500. Yakety Yak is excited to embark on this partnership which will help launch YYWI’s national marketing campaign for 2006. Yakety Yak Wireless Superstores will have its Franchisees across the nation participate in a marketing campaign counting down to the Daytona 500 with special in-store promotions. Travisd Kvapil drive the #32 Tide Chevy. For more information visit www.yakitup.com.(PPI Motorsports site)(2-12-2006)
- Putnam Joins PPI Motorsports: PPI Motorsports announced that Gary Putnam has been named competition director. Putnam, a ten-year veteran in the Nextel Cup Series rejoins his former crew chief James Ince. Ince and Putnam worked side-by-side during the 2000-2002 Cup seasons. “I am very pleased to have Gary Putnam join my organization,” said Cal Wells III, owner of PPI Motorsports. “He will be an invaluable asset to me as well as our crew chief. He adds a tremendous amount of depth to the Tide Racing program and will help us grow as we move forward into a multi-car team.”
“Any time you can bring back a quality crew chief that can do other things only strengthens your race team,” added Ince. “He was my car chief at MBV Motorsports and went on to do great things as a crew chief. I feel fortunate he was open to the idea of joining forces again. I consider him my equal. He’s almost like having my alter-ego around.” Putnam’s duties start immediately as the Tide/Downy Chevy takes part in test sessions at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Before joining PPIM, he served as crew chief at NEMCO Motorsports (2004-2005) and Petty Enterprises (2002-2004).(PPI Motorsports)(1-31-2006)
