MOORESVILLE, N.C. — report by Managing Editor Jacob Seelman for Race Chaser Online — HHP/Christa Thomas photo — It’s been a long afternoon for Turner Scott Motorsports.
Originally broken in a story by motorsport.com earlier this afternoon, it was reported that No. 31 crew chief Mike Shelton told the TSM NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) teams around 3 PM Eastern that the teams’ operations were being suspended effective immediately.
Later reported by NCWTS pit reporter Ray Dunlap on NASCAR Race Hub was that the team’s transporters were “on lockdown” after having gotten the phone call earlier in the afternoon while on the way to Canada for this weekend’s race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.
However, according to a statement this evening from TSM co-owner Harry Scott Jr., at least two of the teams will compete this weekend.
“Turner Scott Motorsports remains in operation and will compete in this weekend’s NASCAR events,” Scott released to the media Wednesday evening. “TSM’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race teams represented by the No. 42 driven by Kyle Larson and the No. 31 driven by Dylan Kwasniewski will complete this weekend as scheduled at Atlanta Motor Speedway.”
“The No. 31 driven by Ben Kennedy and the No. 32 driven by Cameron Hayley in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will compete as scheduled at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park this coming Sunday.”
Scott vowed to keep TSM’s program going amid the reports that the team would disappear completely.
“My investment company, a co-owner of TSM, will continue to do all that it can to keep the team moving forward with or without our business partner Steve Turner. To all TSM employees, sponsors, partners and fans I pledge we will continue to do what we can to keep the teams racing hard each and every week of the season.”
Where this announcement leaves four-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday is uncertain. Hornaday had been driving the No. 30 Rheem Chevrolet Silverado for TSM this season, and was fourth in championship points heading into the weekend.
Hornaday declined to comment on the statement, saying he has spoken to no one at TSM and is uncertain of his status.
The situation appears to be the result of a possible ownership dispute between Steve Turner and Harry Scott Jr. Ray Dunlap reported on Race Hub that Scott and several of the team members flew to Texas yesterday to try and “work out some of the differences”.
Turner Scott Motorsports was founded by Steve Turner for a part-time schedule of Truck Series events in 2009 before expanding to two full-time entries the following season. Turner Motorsports won the Camping World Truck Series championship with Steve Turner’s son-in-law, James Buescher in 2012.
Race Chaser Online will update this story as more details become available.
