Marlin, Nemechek file lawsuit against Ginn Racing, DEI

UPDATE #2 Former Ginn Racing drivers Joe Nemechek and Sterling Marlin as well as former crew chiefs Peter Sospenzo and Richard "Slugger" Labbe apparently have reached settlements with former team owner Bobby Ginn. All four cases – filed in North Carolina Superior Court in Concord, N.C. – have been dismissed, indicating that settlements have been reached. The drivers and crew chiefs were asking for the fulfillment of their contracts. The case files do not indicate how much they were paid, only that the drivers and crew chiefs have dismissed their claims. Scenedaily.com

09/11/07 Bobby Ginn said Tuesday he's surprised by a lawsuit that claims he hasn't honored the contracts for Sterling Marlin, Joe Nemechek and two crew chiefs

All four lost their jobs when Ginn Racing merged with Dale Earnhardt Inc. in late July. The four filed separate lawsuits against both teams last week in Cabarrus County, claiming they are owed their salaries.

The suits don't specify what the parties are seeking, but claim they have demanded payment, and the teams have either failed or refused to comply.

"Sterling and Joe's contracts ran through the end of the year, and I have paid them through August — all of their winnings and salary, per the contract," Ginn said. "And I intend to pay through the end of the year. I always have."

Ginn said that crew chiefs Richard "Slugger" Labbe and Peter Sospenzo were given severance packages when they were let go, and said he's honored it and payments are up to date.

"This totally surprised me, and it looks to me like they are trying to ask for something over and above and they are just not entitled to," Ginn said. CBS Sports

09/10/07 Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemechek have sued Ginn Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. for alleged breaches of their contracts, which included a base salary of $1.2 million apiece.

The separate suits, filed Sept. 7 in Cabarrus County, N.C., do not specify how much they have been paid or what they exactly are owed.

Also suing Ginn and DEI are crew chiefs Richard "Slugger" Labbe and Peter Sospenzo.

Ginn and DEI merged prior to the Indianapolis race in July, and Marlin and Nemechek found themselves without a place in the organization. The points of the No. 14 of Marlin ended up moving to the No. 15 of DEI with Paul Menard as the driver, while the No. 13 Nemechek team was eliminated.

"Demand for payment has been made …, but [Ginn and DEI] have failed and/or refused to pay all or any part," the complaints state. More at Scenedaily.com