Richard Petty Motorsports To Leave Dodge Camp? All Signs Point to Yes

(Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images)

Take a look at the two stories coming from the Petty camp Monday. The Associated Press reported that RPM laid off nine employees while reducing salaries across their entire organization as a result of the Chrysler bankruptcy...and the factory cash that's no longer coming in.

And in a press release distributed late Monday afternoon, the two biggest name drivers in the RPM camp, with the team's Cup sponsors in tow, have been scheduled to contest five Nationwide Series races in Braun Racing entries.

Braun Racing fields Toyotas.

And note this quote from Elliott Sadler in the release:

"I'm looking forward to getting back in the Auto Value Bumper to Bumper Nationwide car."

Not the Auto Value Dodge. The Auto Value Nationwide car. In fact, Dodge is mentioned nowhere in the press release. That's a hugely significant detail that all but affirms that Kahne and Sadler will be driving Camrys instead of Chargers.

Money problems, confirmation that Dodge's bucks have indeed been halted, and now announcements that two of Dodge Motorsports' flagship drivers will be getting behind the wheel of another manufacturer's car...with Dodge Cup sponsors on the hood.

Dodge can affirm all they want their support of NASCAR. But the future is now for their Cup teams. They don't need assurances, they need money.

They need it now.

And in the case of Richard Petty Motorsports, an organization that may well have bit off more than they could chew fielding four full-time cars, that need for cash may well trump their own commitment to Dodge.

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