Layoffs hit Nascar Teams too

[Buddlite]

Its happening everywhere
During a modest round of layoffs Monday and Tuesday at Hendrick Motorsports, Jimmie Johnson (http://www.nascar.com/drivers/dps/jjohnson00/cup/index.html)'s spotter, Stevie Reeves (http://www.nascar.com/drivers/dps/sreeves00/bg/index.html), was told he would not return to the No. 48 Chevrolet team next season, Reeves confirmed Tuesday night.
Reeves and the Hendrick organization part on good terms. The spotter, who helped guide Johnson to his second consecutive Sprint Cup championship in 2007, has already been contacted by other teams and is weighing his options.
"They wanted to give me plenty of time to find something before Homestead and not leave me hanging high and dry," said Reeves, who will spot the final two races of the season for Johnson as he attempts to win a record-tying third consecutive championship.
"Rick Hendrick (http://www.nascar.com/drivers/dps/rhendric01/cup/index.html) knows how to treat people, and that's what makes him so successful. Jimmie Johnson is a class act, and the only thing I regret is that I won't be working with him next year, but I'm going to land on my feet OK."
Johnson has won 16 races with Reeves as his spotter the past two seasons, and Johnson leads the Chase by 106 points over Carl Edwards (http://www.nascar.com/drivers/dps/cedwards00/cup/index.html) going into Sunday's race at Phoenix

[madfinnhockey]

I'm not sure I understand whats going on there, but I can guess. Every team has to have a spotter, they're not going to race next year without one, its like saying that they're laying the jackman off, you can run a team without one.

I'm wondering thought, was the guy only a spotter who had no other race team responsibilities during the week? Maybe they are letting him go from that position, and they are taking a full-timer from the shop and using that person as a spotter on weekends. But if thats the case, they are still flying someone else (the new spotter) to every race, paying for their accommodations, meals, etc. And if this is the case, now they are taking someone from the shop who is putting in who knows how many hours a week, and having them work the weekends too. It doesn't make sense to me, but maybe thats why I'm unemployed too!

[tradinpaintwith24]

Yeah I agree with you, don't think this is just a simple layoff, something else is happening there. I don't think the Hendrick organization is that bad off compared to other teams. They still have pretty solid sponsors and they are fielding what is arguably the best quartet of drivers in the sport right now. If financial problems were causing them to layoff I am sure you would see more than 1 person going.

[Shirley]

A spotter is a "MUST". You must have a spotter anytime the car is on the track. I am with ya'll tho. They must be going to use someone else that is already there. Maybe the hauler driver or someone. There must be more to the story.

[tradinpaintwith24]

If Hendrick wants to lay anyone off it should be Steve Letarte. That dude cost Jeff a couple of races this year, fall Charlotte comes to mind.....although he finally made a gutsy call last week at Texas goin for it with no gas! Maybe he needs some lessons from Chad! Still can't believe Edwards got that gas guzlin Ford across the finish line! LOL

[takeabreath3]

ditto

stay safe