Loudon, N.H. — Robert Yates Racing driver Elliott Sadler was in familiar territory on Friday afternoon at New Hampshire International Speedway: facing the
media and fielding questions about his plans for the 2007 Nextel Cup season. As usual, the No. 38 M&Ms Ford Fusion driver was forthcoming and accommodating.
It’s been speculated for months that Sadler wants to leave RYR for greener pastures. That, despite what he calls “two more black and white years” on his contract. His frustration and unhappiness stem from his mediocre showing: one top-five and three other top-10s in 18 starts this year. He’s 19th in points and virtually eliminated from this fall’s 10-driver Chase for the Championship.
Still, Sadler insists his overriding commitment is winning for his team and sponsors. (His first Cup victory came in the Wood Brothers No. 21 Ford at Bristol in 2001. He won for M&Ms and RYR at Fort Worth and Fontana in 2004). The latest speculation has Sadler taking the No. 19 Dodge of Evernham Motorsports when Jeremy Mayfield leaves to drive a Toyota for Michael Waltrip. At least one Internet site says Sadler must give Yates a “staying or going” statement this weekend.
”I don’t know about any deadline or date or anything like that,” Sadler said after qualifying 18th for Sunday afternoon’s Lenox Industrial Tools 300. “Robert and I talked at Indy [during a recent test]. Our conversation was that we’re not running as well as we’d like; he’s frustrated and I’m frustrated; what do we need to make it better; what direction do we take? We ran a Roush chassis at Chicago [qualified 29th, finished 32nd], but that didn’t seem to be the answer. That was pretty much our 45-minute conversation.
”So far as a deadline for deciding about next year: I don’t have one; I don’t think Robert has one; M&Ms doesn’t have one. I haven’t made up my mind what I’m going to do. This is the only uniform I’ve had on in four years, so I can see myself driving this 38 Ford again next year. The frustration on our parts certainly isn’t from lack of effort. We’re all putting in 100 percent. Can I see something different in two or three weeks? Maybe. But for right now, I need to concentrate on what I’m doing here. I owe it to my sponsors, to Robert and [co-owner] Doug and to our 170 employees.
“If you’re asking if I’m driving the 19 for Ray Evernham next year, the answer is no—I’m driving the 38. Have I spoken with Ray? No. Have I spoken with some other folks who’re looking for someone to drive their car? Yes, and you’d be surprised at how many cars might come open next year. If I told you right now that something is set in concrete, I’d be lying to you. And I don’t want to lie, so as of this moment, I don’t have anything to report.”
There’s talk that if CitiFinancial (RYR’s Busch Series sponsor) moves to the organization’s No. 88 Cup Ford, Busch driver Stephen Leicht will get the ride. But Yates is also said to be considering veterans Ricky Rudd, Ward Burton and Robby Gordon. The team’s current driver and sponsor, Dale Jarrett and UPS, are moving to Michael Waltrip Racing next season.
