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By David Caraviello, NASCAR.COM

When it became clear to officials at Petty Enterprises that the legendary NASCAR operation needed an influx of capital to improve its chances of competing at a higher level, the sport's most successful race team did something that many others before them had already done -- they sold part of their organization to another company.

The sale of a majority of Petty Enterprises on Wednesday to Massachusetts-based private equity firm Boston Ventures was the latest in a long line of mergers, acquisitions, and sell-offs that have altered the face of the Sprint Cup circuit. It's become common practice, selling part or all of a team in hopes of raising enough money to hire enough people and buy enough equipment to close the gap on the best in the sport. Of the 19 Sprint Cup teams that went to Pocono Raceway last weekend, all but five had merged with another entity, acquired another entity, or formed a competitive alliance with another organization. It's become one of those irresistible trends, like signing developmental drivers or hiring ex-athletes to go over the wall.

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