Turner Motorsports had meetings with the majority of their employees today and handed out letters in accordance with the North Carolina WARN Act regarding layoffs. In case you aren’t familiar, the WARN Act “requires a 60-day notice to the state and employees if at least 50 employees will be laid off because of the closure or shutdown of a business unit or if a company has layoffs of at least 50 people that impact 33 percent of a workforce at a single site.” The reason for possible upcoming layoffs at Turner is the loss of sponsor Dollar General. Dollar General is currently the sponsor on Reed Sorenson’s #32 car, and has been a team sponsor going back to when Turner was Braun Racing. Don’t expect Dollar General to disappear though, as they are rumored to be working with another team for the future. As for Turner, not every employee is in danger as they are expected to have at least two full time trucks, two full time Nationwide cars, and possibly a third part time NNS team in 2012.(NASCAR Insiders)(10-3-2011)
UPDATE: Due to the current economic climate, coupled with the decision by long-time marketing partner, Dollar General, to seek other sponsorship opportunities, Turner Motorsports has notified its employees of a potential downsizing at the end of the current racing season. It is hopeful the action will become unnecessary as the team continues to work with potential marketing partners for their Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series teams.(Turner Motorsports PR)(10-4-2011)
UPDATE: Turner plans to go from four Nationwide cars to three in 2012. The organization also will continue to field three trucks. Turner said James Buescher, his future son-in-law who is second in the current Camping World Truck Series standings, will be back in the trucks. When specifically asked whether Ricky Carmichael would return to the truck program next year, Turner said his drivers will be announced at a later date.(Scene Daily.com)(10-8-2011)
