Missing team trailer leads to Truck Series feud (Update)
They are both drivers in NASCAR's truck series. Cobb is competing this year in the Camping World Truck Series for her own team, the Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing Team. Harmon used to be the team manager for when Cobb raced for the Nationwide team, and has said in public tweets that he is involved in litigation with Cobb.
These stolen vehicles came to light only after Harmon was arrested two weeks ago on a separate charge of theft. He was charged with breaking into Cobb's headquarters and stealing the hauler she used to transport cars and trucks. Harmon is denying the allegations.
"I've never stolen as much as a piece of bubble gum. To be arrested for a felony is ridiculous," Harmon told WBTV.
Harmon is keeping his distance from Cobb under judge's orders. Harmon has not been charged with stealing the seven vehicles. Cobb's hauler has not been recovered.
At the crux of the matter is an ongoing dispute between Cobb and her former business partner at JJC Racing, David Novak, over rightful ownership of the trailer and other racing equipment. They parted ways last December and remain in litigation.
In February, Novak made news when he had a team van confiscated from Cobb in Daytona Beach, Fla., while she was making a public appearance with her race team, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal. According the report, Novak claimed he was the rightful owner to the van and supplied police with documents showing he had made payments and held the insurance on the van.
Harmon said he is in the middle of the quarrel because he helped set up the joint venture between Cobb and Novak in 2010. Harmon said he helped Novak retrieve the trailer from Cobb last December and it was taken to a site in Denver, N.C.
In January, Cobb said she took the trailer back and brought it to her shop because she was the rightful owner. She's been using it ever since.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Harmon called Cobb "pure evil. Evil. She doesn't care about anybody but Jennifer." Harmon vowed to restore his name, saying he plans to "go for the jugular" when it comes to pursuing his legal options down the road.
Neither driver has had much success on the track. AOL.com/AP
05/17/13 A missing trailer has sparked a feud in NASCAR's Truck Series.
Jennifer Jo Cobb said she feels "in danger" of racing Friday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway against another NASCAR driver who was arrested for allegedly stealing her team trailer last weekend. Cobb said the trailer and its contents, valued at $279,000, were taken from her shop Saturday.
Fellow NASCAR driver Mike Harmon said he turned himself into the Cleveland County Sheriff's Department on Wednesday after a warrant was issued for his arrest on charges of felony larceny and breaking and entering. He posted $10,000 bond. Harmon has maintained his innocence, claiming he was at a race in Darlington, S.C., when the trailer was taken.
The 55-year-old Harmon was scheduled to appear in North Carolina Superior Court on Friday morning in Rowan County. He plans to race Friday night, which doesn't sit well with Cobb.
"I absolutely feel in danger," Cobb said Thursday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "Some of the things he's been saying to the media. I heard there was a quote about going for the jugular. What does that mean? And somebody who is looking at a felony theft, what means would they go through?"
Police have not found the trailer and Cobb is using a borrowed one this week.
At the crux of the matter is an ongoing dispute between Cobb and her former business partner at JJC Racing, David Novak, over rightful ownership of the trailer and other racing equipment. They parted ways last December and remain in litigation.
In February, Novak made news when he had a team van confiscated from Cobb in Daytona Beach, Fla., while she was making a public appearance with her race team, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal. According the report, Novak claimed he was the rightful owner to the van and supplied police with documents showing he had made payments and held the insurance on the van.
Novak, who lives in Chicago, could not be reached for comment Thursday. Hickory Record