Turner Scott Motorsports has officially shut down its No. 30 Camping World Truck team, leaving former series champion Ron Hornaday, Jr., without a ride and an estimated 18 employees without jobs.
Hornaday did not compete at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in Bowmanville, Ontario last weekend, after a dispute between team owners Steve Turner and Harry Scott, Jr. led to his team being parked. He was fourth in championship points at the time and in solid contention for a fifth Truck Series championship.
Scott announced the move today, saying, “The decision to lay-off any employee is painful and we realize the affects it has on their lives. 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.”
Turner sued Scott in Texas court on Aug. 11, accusing him of failing to pay team vendors and saying Scott “has refused to approve actions that are necessary and material to the business, leaving the Company unable to operate.” The suit also alleges that a $2 million debt owed to Turner was supposed to be repaid by the team, but that no payments on that debt have been made.
Scott filed a notice of complaint in North Carolina court last week, alleging Turner “has allowed the team’s funds to be depleted and left debts unpaid” and misused sponsorship funds and revenue from TSM’s Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series teams. Both men have requested that a receiver be appointed to handle the day-to-day operations of the team.
Truck Series rookies Ben Kennedy and Cameron Hayley competed at CTMP last weekend, while Kyle Larson and Dylan Kwasniewski took part in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. TSM’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series East teams have also not been impacted by today’s announcement move.
Hornaday has said he was never guaranteed a full season with TSM, and knew he was competing on a race-to-race basis, subject to financing.
