Ray Evernham - Car Owner

Car Owner

Evernham left Hendrick Motorsports and Gordon/Evernham Motorsports in 1999 to form his own team, Evernham Motorsports, which in 2000 announced Bill Elliott would drive for him as well as Casey Atwood. The team ran in 2000 out of Bill Elliott's race shop and Casey Atwood ran a limited schedule in 2000. The team would also be the cornerstone for Dodge's return to Winston Cup racing in 2001. On August 6, 2007, it was announced that George N. Gillett, Jr. had purchased a majority share in the team, and that the name had been changed to Gillett Evernham Motorsports. The transaction was similar to the creation of Roush Fenway Racing. On January 9, 2009, GEM then completed a merger with Petty Enterprises and brought the team's famous #43 car into the fold. Owner George N. Gillett, Jr. told reporters that the team would change names to reflect the merger, with Richard Petty Motorsports or Gillett Petty Motorsports being two of the potential names. The team finally decided on the former name on January 19, 2009. Late in the 2009 season, RPM announced that it was to merge with Yates Racing. In late 2010, Evernham sold his remaining share in the operation.