Evernham near partnership with Canadiens owner

RICHMOND, Va. -- Montreal Canadiens owner George N.Gillett Jr. is close to finalizing a partnership arrangement with Evernham Motorsports, a source close to the deal said Saturday.

Team owner Ray Evernham said Saturday afternoon at Richmond International Raceway that talks with Gillett have progressed, that both sides are involved in due diligence and that he would welcome Gillett as a partner in Evernham Motorsports.

Gillett met with Evernham during the race weekend at Bristol in late March. At that race, the Colorado developer, who also is the owner of the Liverpool soccer team in the English Premier League, was sporting a credential that read: "No. 9 Crew."

Evernham fields the No. 9 Dodges driven by Kasey Kahne, along with the No. 19 Dodges of Elliott Sadler and the No. 10 Dodges of Scott Riggs.

Between the Bristol and Martinsville races, Gillett flew Richard Petty to Montreal to take in a Canadiens hockey game and to discuss the relationship of Petty Enterprises to Evernham Motorsports. Petty Enterprises purchases engines and other racing technology from Evernham.

"He (Gillett) wanted to know if we'd still be a customer," Petty said at Martinsville.

Evernham also said Gillett had intended to come to Richmond this weekend, but a snowstorm foiled his travel plans.