Morgan-McClure Motorsports Shop for sale

Due to a lack of sponsorship, the once familiar #4 Morgan-McClure Motorsports Chevy has been absent from the NASCAR game since the end of the 2007 season. And the latest news involving Southwest Virginia's team is reflective of the grim economic climate in the sponsor-driven sport. The entire 18-acre MMM complex, located just off Interstate 81, has been listed for sale with Barnett Commercial Realty of Martinsville, Va. The listed price is $8.5 million. According to team co-owner Tim Morgan, MMM fans still have reason for hope. In fact, Morgan continues to search out potential sponsors for a return to the track to the Sprint Cup Series.

"We're working on a couple things in terms of sponsorship and we're looking into different avenues," said Morgan, in a phone interview. "We want to race, but we don't have unlimited funds to where we can wait forever." Thanks to the financial backing of Abingdon-based Alpha Natural Resources, the Morgan-McClure team reunited for the Aug. 22 Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Alpha is the third-largest coal producer in the United States. Relying on a mix of former and current crewmen, veteran driver Scott Wimmer beat long odds by earning the 26th starting position in the #4 Chevy. With many longtime MMM fans cheering the team on, Wimmer adapted to the track and finished 29th in his Sprint Cup race event 2007. Morgan said the foundation remains in place at Morgan-McClure. In addition to four full-time employees, MMM has six updated race cars and 20 race-ready engines. "We would have no misgivings about trying to make another race," Morgan said. "We just have to make those business connections."

According to a listing on the Barnett Commercial Realty Web site, the MMM Motorsports complex is comprised of three buildings totaling nearly 94,000 square feet. The main building includes first and second floor offices, a second floor fitness facility, and auto shop with multiple diagnostic rooms. The grounds also include a 4,500 square foot body shop, and a 14,400 square foot museum building that includes a showroom, gift shop area and storage space. Bristol Herald Courier