CONCORD, N.C. – Bob Leavine, the owner of Leavine Family Racing, has announced that he has sold his NASCAR Cup Series race team.
Leavine revealed the news in a statement posted to Twitter Tuesday morning. He did not announce who the buyer was in his statement. Leavine will continue to field the team through the rest of the year.
Below is Leavine’s full statement:
“It’s with great sadness today that I announce the sale of the Leavine Family Racing team, assets and charter. Since 2011, Sharon and our entire family have enjoyed being a part of the NASCAR community with Matt DiLiberto joining the family as a co-owner in 2016. We will say goodbye at the conclusion of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season.
“This decision has not been made lightly. Family has always been a part of the team’s name and this is how we view every member of our race team — as our family. There is no good time to make this announcement, but doing it earlier allows our people to explore employment opportunities, for next season, to provide for their families. There will be opportunities with the new owners which was important to our decision.
“This year has been challenging for not only our race team, but our industry, our country and the entire world. The pandemic has impacted our economy and unfortunately that’s just not something we are able to overcome in order to continue racing beyond this season.
“Leavine Family Racing will continue to compete through the end of 2020, and we want to leave on a positive note – contending for top-finishes with Christopher Bell, Toyota, TRD, and all of our partners. Thank you to everyone for your support through this journey. Thank you to our partners and fans and most of all, thank you to everyone who has been part of the Leavine Family Racing family over the last decade.”
Leavine Family Racing made its NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2011, with David Starr making four starts for the team. The team has raced full-time at NASCAR’s top level since 2016.
The drivers who have raced for Leavine Family Racing include Starr, Scott Speed, Blake Koch, Scott Riggs, Reed Sorenson, Michael McDowell, Ty Dillon, Kasey Kahne, Regan Smith, Matt DiBenedetto and, most recently, Christopher Bell.
DiBenedetto earned the team’s best finish last year at Bristol Motor Speedway, finishing second to Denny Hamlin in the fall race at the track.
“We want to thank Bob and Sharon Leavine, Matt DiLiberto, Jeremy Lange and everyone at Leavine Family Racing for a successful partnership,” said Paul Doleshal, Group Manager for Motorsports, Toyota Motor North America. “We entered this 2020 racing season with high hopes for LFR and the team has not disappointed. While the season may not have started out as everyone wanted, after returning from the shutdown due to COVID-19, LFR rebounded with some very strong on-track performances.
“Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world and more closely, the entire NASCAR family in so many ways and for LFR, that has forced the sale of the race team. We’re certainly disappointed and saddened by the news, but most importantly, we want to wish Bob, Sharon, Matt, Jeremy and everyone impacted the best of luck in their future endeavors.”