RuSPORT is set to continue under new ownership, and the team hopes to be able to retain Justin Wilson. (LAT photo) » More Photos
A team that had turmoil as a co-driver this season has been rescued by one of the big hitters of the Champ Car community.
Dan Pettit, who came into Champ Car as partners with Kevin Kalkhoven and Jimmy Vasser in 2004, was confirmed Tuesday as the new owner of RuSPORT Racing.
"It was a long and winding road but I'm happy to report that Dan has purchased the team from Carl (Russo), we're staying in Colorado and we'll have two cars on the grid in 2007," said Jeremy Dale, who will retain his role as team president.
"It was important to keep this group together because there's a lot here that's very good and fortunately Dan recognized that. He's going to be a great fit."
Pettit's future role with PKV Racing remains uncertain. (LAT Photo) » More Photos
Pettit's purchase ended several weeks of speculation about the future of a team that ran the gamut of emotions in 2006.
After Russo fired the kid he built this team around (A.J. Allmendinger) four races into this season and replaced him with Cristiano da Matta, Allmendinger won three consecutive races for Forsythe Racing. Following his initial podium at San Jose for RuSPORT, da Matta was critically injured in early August during a test at Elkhart Lake when he struck a deer.
Justin Wilson, who scored RuSPORT's first two wins in 2005, added another victory at Edmonton this year before breaking his right wrist at Australia during practice but still finished second in the point standings.
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And while Wilson was healing and preparing to run the finale at Mexico City with a cast on his arm, Dale was scrambling to keep the doors open because business interests had forced Russo to get out of motorsports.
"Let's just say the last four weeks have been pretty interesting," said Dale. "There was a rumor in Mexico that Dan had bought the team which wasn't true but, by the time we got to the banquet (Nov. 18) in Indy, things were progressing.
"It was touch and go for a while, I'll admit, but a lot of people never gave up and keep fighting and then Carl and Dan got together and agreed to keep this team moving forward. I want to also thank my team for hanging in there, the uncertainty has been tough for them.
"Carl did a lot for me and gave a lot of people an opportunity, along with being great for Champ Car at a time when it needed new owners. I'll always be thankful for what he did."
Pettit's future role with PKV Racing remains uncertain. (LAT Photo) » More Photos
Pettit, who made his fortune in Silicon Valley with Kalkhoven during the '90s, has been a hands-on owner of PKV Racing the past two years but it's not known whether he'll continue to have any ownership of that group.
He couldn't be reached for comment.
But now that RuSPORT has been saved, Dale's top priority is keeping Wilson. "We've still got CDW as a primary sponsor and they love Justin like we do so I'm hoping we can have some more good news next week," said Dale.
