BUSCH: Parker Racing Closes its Doors

Parker Racing closes its doors

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Nov. 8, 1999) The No. 72 team had a rough year in 1999, and it has now closed up shop.

Ron Parker officially announced he has withdrawn his No. 72 Parker Racing/MGM Brakes team from competition in the NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division for the remainder of the 1999 season.

He also announced that Parker Racing, Inc., will cease operations effective immediately, with team members released from employment as of Oct. 25, 1999 to accept other employment opportunities. All Parker Racing equipment and assets will be sold and the shop closed within the next few weeks.

The team's last race was the Oct. 23 Kmart 200 at North Carolina Speedway. Curtis Markham qualified the No. 72 in 29th place, and finished 41st with engine troubles. Markham took over in midseason for Hermie Sadler, who had been the driver since the 1999 season opener at Daytona.

"After 13 years involvement as a sponsor and almost 11 years as a team owner," Parker said, "I find it necessary to discontinue operations of Parker Racing, Inc., as well as sponsorship involvement of my company, MGM Brakes. For the first 10 seasons of Parker Racing, we only had three drivers -- a statement of loyalty in which I place a great deal of importance.

"We went into the 1999 season with high hopes which were dashed early on when we failed to qualify for Daytona for the first time in 11 visits to the season opener. I have always welcomed the increase in competition from year to year but never expected such a quantum leap from one season to the next. We obviously were unprepared and it didn't get any better. We gave it our best shot, but it wasn't enough to compete at the new competitive level of the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series.

"I have always tried to be a hands-on owner, rarely missing a race. When I first founded Parker Racing, Inc., in 1988, I was able to balance both the race team and the responsibilities as president, chairman, CEO and majority owner of Indian Head Industries.

"A competitive race team of the new millennium requires 100 percent devotion of the full team, including the leadership of the team owner. At the same time, the heavy-duty transportation industry is breaking all-time records in production and my company, MGM Brakes, demands much more of my time than ever since my purchase of the company in 1984.

"After our disappointing results at the race track, it became quite evident of the difficult choices that had to be made. We have great respect for the NASCAR Busch Series officials and the people affiliated with the regular Busch Series teams and they will be missed. It's been a great ride but it's time to move on to other priorities. Of course I have my family that is of the highest priority."

Parker Racing was founded in December, 1988, and was one of the longest-running teams in the series. The No. 72 car won four races, piled up over 70 top-10s and amassed over $2 million in prize money. The team's shop is located in Mooresville, N.C.

Source: NASCAR Online