hearing that GNC Live Well informed Team Jesel today that they will not be returning as a sponsor of the #36 team in 2003 and that GNC is ending all involvement in NASCAR racing after this season. Supposedly, Team Jesel will continue as a one-car team next season. No idea on who the driver will be, but this weekend’s race at Homestead is supposedly Hank Parker Jr.’s last with the team.
UPDATE: Hank Parker, Jr. told NASCAR.com that General Nutrition Centers, the primary sponsor for his #36 Dodges owned by Wayne Jesel, sent a letter to the team’s shop Tuesday to inform the team that they have opted not to extend the current contract. That contract terminates following the 2002 season, leaving Parker without sponsorship and, according to a source close to the team, without a job. The source told NASCAR.com Tuesday that Jesel plans to run just one car in 2003, the #66 Dodge driven by Casey Mears. Parker, who made his Winston Cup debut two weeks back at Rockingham, said he’s been in discussion with several teams. Rumors surfaced earlier this season that he was in discussion with both Roush Racing and ppc Racing, but both deals were contingent upon sponsorship.(NASCAR.com)(11-12-2002)
UPDATE 2: now hearing that BOTH Jessel Motorsports BGN teams, #36 and #66 will be closing their doors, so many people will be looking for jobs.(11-13-2002)
Jessel Layoffs? hearing personnel layoff’s have begun at Jessel Motorpsorts [#36 and #66 teams].(11-20-2002)
More layoffs: hearing that Team Jesel [#36 and 66] laid off all but about 4 people and doesn’t have any sponsors lined up(11-23-2002)
