Sawyer's team closes doors on Busch operation

Sawyer

By Tim Packman, Turner Sports Interactive
November 28, 2001
3:42 PM EST (2042 GMT)

MOORESVILLE, N.C. - The economic downturn is starting to ebb its way into the world of NASCAR even more. MK Racing has closed the doors on its Busch Series outfit.

The team, owned by Michael Kranefuss, fielded the No. 98 Ford of Elton Sawyer. Sawyer finished fifth in the Busch Series in 2001 six top-fives and 16 top-10s.

Sawyer had said for the last month of the season that his sponsor, Starter, an athletic apparel company, was leaving the team. The team said that if no sponsor could be found, the doors of the operation would be closed.

Calls to MK Racing on Wednesday morning were answered by a voice mail for all departments.

This comes on the heels of Tuesday's announcement that the Penske Racing-owned No. 12 Ford in Winston Cup, which was formerly owned by Kranefuss, was closing down, too. However Mobil 1, that teams primary sponsor, is remaining with Penske as an associate sponsor.