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 )(7-17-2013) UPDATE 3: Phoenix Racing owner James Finch confirmed Thursday night that he has sold his team – though he would not disclose to whom. Although Finch elected not to divulge the names of the new owners, FOX Sports reported on June 29 that Harry Scott, co-owner of Turner Scott Motorsports, will partner with a group that also includes current sponsor Brandt, which supports the racing efforts of NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Justin Allgaier, to buy the team. Brandt is an agricultural retailer and manufacturer based in Springfield, Ill., and has backed Allgaier since 2011. The 27-year-old Riverton, Ill. native, who is currently fourth in the NNS point standings, is expected to drive the #51 Chevy over the final 10 races of the season. While A.J. Allmendinger was expected to compete in six of the final seven races for Phoenix Racing, Finch said he wanted the opportunity to continue ‘showcasing the talent” of aspiring NASCAR racers as well. Australian Owen Kelly, 36, who finished fourth at Elkhart Lake in the Nationwide Series Road America race on June 22 driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, will make his Cup debut in the #51 Chevy at Watkins Glen on Aug. 11. Ryan Truex, 21, was scheduled to make his Cup debut with Phoenix at Dover prior to breaking his shoulder blade on March 31. Finch plans on running Truex at Bristol on Aug. 24.( Fox Sports )
