More details are emerging about the deal and what this new Turner Motorsports will most likely be. First, we’ve heard that the team will still probably run 3-4 Nationwide cars next season, and that they may expand their Truck Series program to three teams. We’ve also heard that the team will utilize Chevy equipment, and that the current fleet of Braun Toyotas will be switched over. Look for James Buescher, Ricky Carmichael, Reed Sorenson, and Brian Scott to all continue driving for the team, with the rest of the seats still up in the air.(NASCAR Insiders)(9-14-2010)
UPDATE: Turner Motorsports owner Steve Turner is set to purchase the Braun Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series team from Todd Braun, with an announcement expected early next week. Sources tell Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that negotiations have been ongoing for some time. Turner is expected to continue fielding his current two-truck team on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, with the possible addition of a third truck, if sponsorship can be found. Braun’s current fleet of NASCAR Nationwide Series Toyotas will be converted to Chevys during the offseason, with Turner fielding multiple cars on that circuit, as well. Current Turner Motorsports Truck Series drivers James Buescher and Ricky Carmichael are expected to remain with the newly expanded operation, with Braun Racing drivers Reed Sorenson and Brian Scott also expected to continue with the team. Sources say an official announcement could come as soon as Monday.(Sirius Speedway)(9-14-2010)
UPDATE 2: Been told that the ownership transfer took place on Wednesday.(9-15-2010)
UPDATE 3: Braun Racing Nationwide Series driver Brian Scott confirmed to Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that Turner Motorsports owner Steve Turner is now the owner of the team formerly known as Braun Racing. “I’ll be going to Dover this weekend to race for a new owner,” said Scott. “Steve Turner is the new owner of the team. I spoke to him late last week and he talked about how much he wanted me to win the Nationwide Rookie of the Year title. He seems like a really honest, down-to-earth, no-nonsense kind of guy, and I’m looking forward to racing for him.” Scott said he has had no conversations about plans for next season, but that he hopes to sit down with Turner again this weekend. Sources say an official announcement of Braun Racing’s sale to Turner Motorsports is expected later this week.(Sirius Speedway)(9-20-2010)
UPDATE 4: Turner Motorsports, currently a two-team operation in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS), announced that they are acquiring select assets of Braun Racing’s NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) team and will immediately take over operation of the organization. Braun Racing fields four entries in the NASCAR Nationwide Series – the #32, #38, #10 and #11 cars with a driver line-up that includes Brian Vickers, Kasey Kahne, Reed Sorenson, Jason Leffler, David Reutimann, Brian Scott, Tayler Malsam and Jacques Villeneuve. These four teams will join forces with the existing Turner Motorsports’ NCWTS entries – the #4 Monster Energy Chevy Silverado, driven by Ricky Carmichael, and the #31 Wolf Pack Rentals Chevy Silverado, driven by James Buescher. With the acquisition of Braun Racing, Turner Motorsports will field six teams in two of NASCAR’s top-three premier series. Plans for the 2011 racing season include three NNS teams and three NCWTS teams. The NNS driver line up for Turner Motorsports will be announced in October. As for the NCWTS teams, James Buescher will once again pilot the #31 Chevy Silverado with Ricky Carmichael also returning to drive the #4 Chevy Silverado. The team will operate out of Braun Racing’s current 88,000 square-foot facility in Mooresville, NC. Todd Braun, Doug Stringer and Harry Scott, Jr. will continue to be an integral part of Turner Motorsports. (Turner PR)(9-24-2010)
