For the last couple of weeks, Michael Waltrip has heard the rumors that the team he drives for is about to be sold or has been sold by car owner Jim Mattei(rumored to #2 CTS owner Jim Smith). See the stories at the Roanoke Times and Total Sports and Speed Magazine and Alabama Live. I keep hearing both rumors, some say the team has been sold, others say no, so….???(4-16-2000) UPDATE: Jim Mattei, owner of the #7 team, said Sunday that contrary to rumors he has no plans to sell the team. He is interested, however, in allying or merging with another team, saying single-car teams have no real chance in the present environment. Mattei said he had talked with Tim Beverley, owner of the #10 Lycos team, and Nelson Bowers, co-owner of the #36 M&M’s Pontiac, among others. He also said he has received calls from other people interested in buying the team or becoming a partner in it. Mattei insists, however, that an alliance with another team is a more likely alternative. He also said he has had talks with Jim Smith, owner of the#2 CTS team, with Smith showing interest in fielding a Cup team, but probably no time soon(SpeedVision)(4-17-2000)
