BY TEAM FORD RACING CORRESPONDENT

Joliet, Ill. — Now that Robert Yates Racing has formally turned down New York investment banking firm Medallion Financial Corp.’s offer to buy into the team, Medallion is looking for one or more other Cup teams to align with, multiple sources in the Nextel Cup garage have confirmed. Medallion is the leading financier of taxicab medallions in New York City, which sell for about $225,000 apiece in today’s market. Three other investment-banking firms, one each in New York, Dallas and Southern California are also looking at NASCAR possibilites. … Hall of Fame Racing, a satellite Chevrolet team to Joe Gibbs Racing, said its choice of manufacturer next year hinges on what Gibbs does. “If they go to Toyota, we go, too. If they stay with GM, we stay, too,” said HOF General Partner Bill Saunders. … As the debate rages on in the Nextel Cup garage about whether to change the number of guaranteed spots in the field from 35 to a lesser amount, NASCAR is also considering changing testing rules again. … There remains very little buzz in the garage about who might replace Dale Earnhardt Jr., in the No. 8 DEI entry next year. Junior and longtime sponsor Budweiser are severing sponsorship and personal services agreements after this season.