NASCAR Cup Series

Roush Fenway is slimming down for '12

Published Nov. 22, 2011 5:20 p.m. ET

foxsports

Roush Fenway Racing began laying off employees Tuesday as it prepares to field fewer cars in 2012.

The team had four Sprint Cup Series teams and three Nationwide Series cars this season. Sponsorship woes likely will lead to the organization closing down the No. 6 Cup team of David Ragan and scale back to only one full-time Nationwide car.

Team spokesman Kevin Woods indicated a second Nationwide car could run on a limited basis, and although talks with sponsors continue, the process of ''right-sizing the organization to suit the number of anticipated teams'' began Tuesday.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. wrapped up the Nationwide title last weekend at Homestead, and Carl Edwards narrowly lost the Cup title to Tony Stewart in Sunday's season finale.