David zucker petty enterprises challenger

Petty Enterprises signs deal with investor

Petty Enterprises, a family-owned team since NASCAR's first race in , has sold controlling interest to Boston Ventures, a private equity firm. Stock-car icon Richard Petty will stay deeply involved, but year-old David Zucker is the new CEO. Previously, he was president and CEO of Playboy Enterprises, worked with Walt Disney Corp. and was executive vice president at ESPN.

"This is not a sponsorship deal, this is a partnership deal," Petty said Wednesday during a press conference at Lowe's Motor Speedway. "It's emotional for me, but things have changed so much in racing. We needed help because things had gotten away from us. A lot of people wanted to come in and buy the team; these people wanted to come in and become part of the family. They're going to bring in capital and manage the money."

As part of the deal, veteran Bobby Labonte signed a four-year contract extension through the season.

"This new association swayed me in the right direction," Labonte said. "It weighed a lot in my decision. It's a four-year extension, with options. And there's an opportunity to become a partner later on."

Sources: Petty Enterprises in merger talks

JOURNAL STAR NEWS SERVICES | Journal Star

Petty Enterprises is in discussions to merge its storied franchise with Gillett Evernham Motorsports, The Associated Press has learned.

Multiple people familiar with the talks told the AP on Thursday that the two teams were discussing a deal that would merge Petty’s famed No. 43 Dodge with GEM to become a four-car operation. They requested anonymity because the negotiations are ongoing.

first reported that Petty Enterprises’ top operation will not return in But David Zucker, CEO of Petty Enterprises, said the report was “not accurate.”

He would not discuss a potential merger. “We’re not going to comment on rumors and speculation,” he said.

Petty, the team founded by seven-time series champion Richard Petty, has no full-time sponsorship lined up for next season. The team fields its flagship No. 43 for NASCAR champion Bobby Labonte and a second car that Chad McCumbee and Kyle Petty shared this season. Kyle Petty was expected to have a minimal role — if any — with the organization next season.

Robbie Loomis, vice president of Petty Enterprises, told the AP nothing has change

Management

David F. Zucker

Managing Partner

Zucker is Managing Partner of private investment firm Lead Lap Enterprises, LLC. He has over thirty years of experience as a Chairman/CEO/General Manager of public and private companies and company divisions in the media, business services, marketing services, consumer, healthcare and technology businesses. He has overseen and completed more than twenty business acquisitions of varying sizes during his career.

Zucker’s operating roles include and have included: