Turner Scott Motorsports shutters Ron Hornaday's No. 30 team
When Turner Scott Motorsports co-owner Harry Scott Jr. issued a statement last Wednesday saying that TSM's teams would continue to compete, despite earlier reports the entire Camping World Truck Series arm of the organization had been shut down, Scott made no mention of Ron Hornaday's No. 30 truck team.
Hornaday later told FOXSports.com in an exclusive interview last Friday that his team remained intact, but confirmed speculation that he nor the No. 30 group would be racing at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park over the weekend.
Hornaday also told FOXSports.com it was his understanding since joining Turner Scott before the season that his deal with the No. 30 team was on a race-by-race basis, and that missing one race didn't necessarily signal the end of the relationship.
It seems now, however, that Hornaday's days in TSM's No. 30 Chevrolet are over, as co-owner Scott issued a statement Tuesday afternoon revealing Hornaday's team had been shuttered and that as a result, 18 people had been let go by the company.
"The decision to lay off any employee is painful and we realize the affects it has on their lives," said Scott, whose investment firm is a co-owner of TSM. "However, the decisions made by TSM today are necessary and the responsible steps for all of TSM to ensure our commitment to our employees, partners and fans to be as competitive as possible."
An attempt by FOXSports.com to reach Hornaday after Scott's latest statement was unsuccessful.
Prior to missing last weekend's race in Canada, Hornaday was fourth in the Truck Series standings on the strength of 10 top-10 finishes, including five top-fives, in 13 starts this season. Even after sitting out Sunday's race in Ontario, Hornaday is sixth in the standings -- but now trails championship leader Johnny Sauter by 64 points.
In speaking with FOXSports.com on Friday, Hornaday said he wasn't yet seriously exploring options outside of Turner Scott, but that he had spoken with his 2013 team owner, Bob Newberry. Hornaday didn't rule out driving for a team besides Turner Scott, however.
"I've got a couple races sold already with some of my sponsors that came with me, and I'm going to have to find a truck to put them on," said the Truck Series' all-time wins leader and only four-time champion. "They've already put an installment payment in to go to Talladega, so I'm going to have to explore my options and go to some teams and say, 'Hey, can I rent a ride from you or buy a ride?' I've never done that before, but that's what we're going to do have to do, I guess."
Speaking last week, Horaday also indicated his desire to remain with Chevrolet wherever he lands.
"There's not too many Chevrolet trucks out there, and my whole racing career I've been in Chevrolets, and with the support they give me and what they've done in my career, I'd be foolish to go to another manufacturer, but you never know," he said. "I'm optimistic, but in all the years of me racing I've never had to chase money and never had to go through things like this. I've been fortunate enough to race for Dale Earnhardt, Kevin Harvick and everybody that gave me awesome trucks.
"I thought we were going down the same path (at Turner Scott), so I don't know what to think about it other than I've got to go build some dirt cars for my grandson because that's probably my next option is going dirt racing with my grandson and making his name."
