Rick Ware Racing recently became aware how small of a sandbox the NASCAR community is. Over the past few weeks the out pouring condolences from fans/drivers and team owners resulting from the death of two crew members of RWR (Dean Shaut and Stephen “Dirt” Masch) has been uplifting but the same network of owners also delivered disturbing news to the organization within the same week. “We have been informed by several team owners that our driver (Jeffrey Earnhardt) and his management company (Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc) has been shopping around for another team, eluding that sponsorship was coming with them,” stated owner Rick Ware. This aggressive move by Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc. has resulted in a breach of contract between RWR and JEI. Rick Ware Racing will now put the focus on finding a driver for the #1 Fuel Doctor Chevy at Martinsville and the rest of the season. “We have proven that our equipment can get to the front. We have had several top 10 qualifying and finishes in the past eight months and we won’t let this stop us!”(Rick Ware Racing PR)(3-29-2011)
UPDATE: Unfolding today were some disturbing events for Jeffrey Earnhardt and Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc. as they were informed through a press release written today by Rick Ware Racing that Jeffrey would not be driving for their team effective immediately. In addition to the release stating that Jeffrey will not be driving the #1 NCWTS Fuel Doctor Racing truck and continuing his battle for the Rookie of the Year standings where he currently sits in 2nd in points, the team also made an announcement that contains erroneous claims that JEI and Jeffrey have breached their contract with RWR. “To read that release was very upsetting and I’m disappointed to hear the inflammatory and disparaging statements personally made by Rick Ware about me and my company. The facts support that we did reach out to other race teams after the sponsor notified Rick Ware and my group that they were pursuing alternative marketing venues and after we were contacted by Rick Ware informing us that he would be unable to support me without the sponsor’s funding. This past Sunday, Rick advised us that he would only race me in Martinsville providing we signed a release to allow him out of his contract with JEI. That release never arrived and we notified him in writing on Monday that we expected to drive the #1 truck in Martinsville, in accordance with our contract. To suggest anything other than these facts does not reflect the truth and is unfair to the fans and us.” stated Earnhardt. “We are extremely thankful for Fuel Doctor’s support over the past two years and will avoid compromising our progress this season by giving credence to the misinformation coming from RWR. This news speeds up the need to find an alternative ride and we look forward to continuing our run for rookie of the year with a new team,” said Earnhardt. JEI is taking the official position that there will be no further comment.(Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc. PR)(3-29-2011)
UPDATE 2: As one day ends, another one begins and the relationship between Rick Ware Racing and Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc continues. Emotions and a lack of communication between Rick Ware Racing and Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc in a stressful time have been resolved. Why? “We just want to race, and sometimes the issues of business just seem to make us lose focus on why we are here!” stated Rick Ware. The two sides have come to an agreement for Jeffrey Earnhardt to compete in the #1 Fuel Doctor Chevy at Martinsville Speedway. “Jeffrey will be in the truck at Martinsville and we will work hard to continue to keep him in that seat. The amount of effort we have poured into his career and having a place for him to perform is important in his development. He is young and there is a lot of promise in him and both the management of RWR and JEI have the same goal for him,” continued Ware. Rick Ware Racing will be strenuously looking for marketing partners to keep Jeffrey competing in the truck series for 2011.(RWR PR)(3-30-2011)
