DEVELOPING: NAPA Leaving MWR

And that's not a good thing for Michael Waltrip Racing...

After the fallout of the Bowyer, Vickers, Truex cover-up NAPA believes in fair play and wants nothing to do with the team that they re-upped with through the 2015 season...

To recap:
((HT: ESPN))


"NAPA believes in fair play and does not condone actions such as those that led to the penalties assessed by NASCAR," NAPA said in a statement. "We remain supportive of the millions of NASCAR fans and will evaluate our future position in motorsports."

Michael Waltrip Racing returned fire:

"There is no doubt, the story of Michael Waltrip Racing begins with NAPA Auto Parts, but there are many more chapters yet to be written," the statement said. "MWR has the infrastructure and support of Toyota for three teams plus three Chase-caliber, race-winning drivers. With the support of our corporate partners, we are preparing to field three teams in 2014. MWR is a resilient organization capable of winning races and competing for the championship, and that remains our sole focus."

According to Jenna Fryer, this really sucks for MWR:

It will be a tremendous challenge to quickly replace the money, estimated to be at least $15 million a year, because NAPA is a rare sponsor that covers the entire 36-race Sprint Cup schedule.

Should MWR not secure sponsorship to replace NAPA, it could lead to layoffs of close to 100 employees and the possible shuttering of Truex's team. Truex could be out of job as well.

And Fryer surmises that Truex could end up with Furniture Row Racing if Waltrip can't afford a third team...