hearing that driver Hermie Sadler and the #66 Peak Fitness Racing team have parted ways effective immediately. No word on who will drive the car at Dover next week. Salder and the #66 team failed to make the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and four other races in 2005 and are out of the top-35 in owners points.
UPDATE: been told by the team that this is untrue and that Hermie Sadler will be driving the #66 Peak Fitness Ford next weekend at Dover and for the balance of the 2005 season. The Peak Fitness Team is dedicated to improving their equipment and performance and feel good about the progress we have made since establishing the team on January 7, 2005.(Peak Fitness Team)(5-27-2005)
UPDATE 2: Hermie Sadler denied an Internet report last night that he was exiting the #66 Ford. Car owner Jeff Stec called the Emporia native last night when he learned of the rumor. “There’s no truth to that at all,” said Sadler, who didn’t make tomorrow’s Coca-Cola 600 and is ranked 40th in points. “We’ll be going to Dover next week.”(Richmond Times Dispatch)(5-28-2005)
UPDATE 3: Hermie Sadler, driver of the #66 Peak Fitness Ford in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, and team owner Jeff Stec are committed to making Peak Performance Motorsports a solid venture in NASCAR’s premiere series. Following an erroneous online report regarding his status with the team, Sadler offers the following statement to the public, the media and his fans. “After the rumor of my departure from Peak Performance Motorsports was erroneously reported on several websites last week, I wanted to personally respond to all the media and fans. First of all, I am committed to staying with the Peak Performance Motorsports team for the entire 2005 season and am hopeful that relationship lasts beyond that. While we are disappointed with our performances so far this season, we are working together as a team to improve. Although we have a way to go, we are steadily making progress. It concerns me that a website [Jayski.com] would post a rumor that could be fatal to an up-start team such as ours without consulting with the team owner, public relations representative, or the driver. Not only do we have employees that may be affected, but this can also be detrimental to our hunt for additional sponsorship, which is vital to the growth of our team. Our team has done a great job of working to get better as a team and not pointing fingers at one another. We will continue to do that. Thanks to all the fans that have sent messages of support to the team and me. We look forward to a great run this weekend in Dover.”(PSE-3 PR)(5-31-2005)
UPDATE 4: Hermie Sadler has officially resigned as driver of the #66 Peak Performance Motorsports Ford effective immediately. Sadler has attempted to qualify for all 14 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series events this season, successfully making eight races. The #66 currently stands 40th in the owners’ points. Sadler, a veteran racer of 13 years in NASCAR’s top three series, agrees that the split is amicable and is the right decision for all involved parties. “I appreciate the opportunity given to me at Peak Performance Motorsports, but I feel at this time it is best that I step aside and allow the team to search for the combination that will help it improve,” stated Sadler. Team owner Jeff Stec will make announcement of the team’s intentions for the race at Pocono later this week. “We know that Hermie gave us his best effort each week and we appreciate what he has done for the team,” Stec said. “Peak Performance Motorsports has been proud to associate itself with Hermie and we wish him all the best.”(PSE-3 PR)
AND hearing that Mike Garvey, who has made three races in the #75 car, will run in the #66 for a few races.(6-6-2005)
AND II from the Mikegarveyfans.com site: Mike [Garvey] went to the #66 shop to sign the deal for the remainder of the year and get fitted for his seat and uniform after former driver Hermie Sadler resigns. The official announcement coming soon.(6-7-2005)
