Gillett explains visit to Middle East, merger update (cont'd)

The Saudi firm, founded and led by Saudi Arabian Prince Faisal bin Fahad bin Abdullah Al Saud, will work with Gillett's team "to explore business opportunities" in soccer, stock-car racing and interactive media in Saudi Arabia. Gillett explained further on Saturday that he was talking with his Saudi contacts about possibly building academies for young soccer players in the Middle East and North Africa when the subject of stock-car racing came up.

"In the midst of those conversations, the light went on and I said, 'My goodness, what an opportunity this might be if we could create a series in the Middle East for stock cars,'" Gillett said.

Staying focused

From mergers to the Middle East, all the focus is on everything but the Chase when it comes to Kasey Kahne. And the driver is doing eveything he can to stay on task.

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"That's what happened. We have had extended conversations now about developing a race series. There are several extraordinarily good road tracks there. They have identified 14 sites -- or more -- in the Middle East where they could put an oval track or two, or 14. So that was the genesis of the conversation."

Gillett went on the stress that the conversations were very preliminary in nature, as were any minor discussions that may have taken place about Saudi investors eventually purchasing a minority stake in RPM.

He also further addressed RPM's pending merger with Yates Racing, which will include the switch in manufacturers from Dodge to Ford, and took issue with those who suggest that RPM is floundering in chaos at the moment.

"You all know what we have faced," Gillett told the assembled media. "You all have characterized that we've had chaos or pandemonium or whatever crazy words you've used. We have had some very natural shifts. When Chrysler went through bankruptcy, there was a very clear understanding on your part [in the media] and ours that we were going to have to find a new manufacturer. So we have been working on that, and we're very pleased with our letter of understanding with Ford. It certainly appears that we will be with Ford Racing next year.

"I would resist the concept of chaos -- because if we're in chaos, then there are a number of other teams that are a step beyond chaos, whatever that is. And I don't think that's the case.

"The loss of Chrysler and Dodge was a serious loss. Dodge has been a very good partner for us. ... The prospect of having to go find a new home was a daunting challenge for us, particularly in the middle of a season. But I think our people have responded well to it."