The sale of #51-Phoenix Racing is not yet complete, but team general manager Steve Barkdoll said the organization is continuing to build cars for future races. Team owner James Finch had hoped to have completed the sale of his team by Monday. If he does not sell the team, he will close the shop in two weeks after the July 28 race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Barkdoll said he is confident the team will be sold and continue racing. AJ Allmendinger will drive for the team for the Brickyard 400 and if the team continues operating, the current plan is to have him in the car the following week at Pocono, Barkdoll said.( Sporting News )(7-16-2013) UPDATE: James Finch isnt one for counting unhatched chickens. ‘Were in a holding pattern until (Wednesday)’ Finch said Tuesday as he tried to finalize the sale of his Sprint Cup racing team, Phoenix Racing. ‘Theyve sent in some paperwork today, and theyre supposed to wire some money (Wednesday). Until then I dont have anything to say until (Wednesday). ‘Hopefully by (noon) or 1 oclock I can tell you the deal.” Rumors have persisted that Harry Scott, co-owner of Turner Scott Motorsports that competes on NASCARs Nationwide Series and the Camping World Truck Series, is the potential buyer. Finch, however, neither has confirmed nor denied that, and he has offered few clues as to who the prospective buyer might be.( News Herald )(7-16-2013) UPDATE 2: Its sold. With those two words, James Finch announced the sale of Phoenix Racing on Wednesday. Finch declined to name the buyer, explaining that the new owner preferred to make an announcement of his own either Friday or Monday. ‘I cant tell you yet’ Finch said. Finch added that he will assist the new owner through the Sprint Cup race at Atlanta on Sept. 1. That race will mark the end of Finchs 23-year run as a Sprint Cup and Nationwide team owner. ‘They wanted the help’ Finch said. ‘Theyve never run any Cup races or anything like that, so Im going to help them. I dont want to say a whole lot. Theyve got a sponsorship and a driver they want to introduce later in the year.”( News Herald )
