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July 14, 2006
Run Candyman, run!
By Mike Harper
Its being reported that Elliott Sadler, driver of the No. 38 Ford for Robert Yates Racing has until Saturday to notify Yates of his 2007 plans. Jim Utter is reporting that Sadler is under no deadline to provide an answer.
Sadler could stay with Yates or decide to leave for another team. Unlike other silly seasons from the past, Sadler has many options in the Cup garage and my guess is he’ll leave RYR for a more competitive team.
If I were walking in Sadler’s shoes, I’d look at two separate issues that ultimately help me make the decision to leave RYR. First, Dale Jarrett’s departure to another race team is a red flag to me. In most cases, drivers leave a race team for one of two reasons - to chase a better opportunity or to leave a team that’s not competitive.
When Jarrett moved to RYR in 1995 from Joe Gibbs Racing, it was for a better opportunity. His decision to leave JGR paid off and Jarrett won a championship in 1999. Recently, Jarrett surprised the NASCAR community and announced that he was leaving RYR at the end of this season for Michael Waltrip Racing. I would suggest that Jarrett isn’t leaving RYR for a better opportunity, but because his current team isn’t competitive. In my opinion, Jarrett’s decision to leave will play a part in Sadler’s decision to leave, if he decides to go in that direction.
In addition to Jarrett leaving, RYR is now looking to their rival Roush Racing to help fix some of the issues. Last weekend at Chicagoland, Sadler drove a chassis prepared by Roush Racing. Hoping to realize success by using the Roush chassis, at the end of the day Sadler and the No. 38 team finished a disappointing 29th.
It’s not looking good for the folks at RYR and the big question that’s bouncing in my head is does Sadler have the patience to stay at RYR? Basically if he stays, he’ll keep a friend in Yates and he’ll continue to drive in circles until RYR can put together a competitive program.
Normally for a racer, patience doesn’t win races. They drive to win the trophy. If your team isn’t giving you the opportunity to win races by keeping you up front, your patience will wear thin. Just ask Dale Jarrett.
July 14, 2006 | Permalink
Comments
Mike,
I disagree on Jarrett. He's already proved himself in NASCAR and was readying to retire. Nothing makes a potential retiree smile like a lot of Benjamin Franklins. This close to the end of a stellar career you don't shift to a new team that has no track record, and will most likely struggle, because of performance. It's all about the money. He made a terrific family deal.
I'm not saying that Yates has no issues, but Jarrett isn't a valid indicator of them. Sadler will have to go with his feelings about the long term ability of Yates to provide a quality ride. He has the time in the sport remaining to do either. He can stay with Yates and see how their performance improves/deteriorates, or he can go to a new team and progress/or not with them.
Posted by: Keith | Jul 14, 2006 6:36:23 PM
Hey Mike, Keith,
I too thought DJ was ready for the senior golf tour. Then he found out just how much a champion's provisional is worth. More power to him, hope it works out for him. He sure put alot of blame on Todd Parrott for his performance demise. Take away the races won,(even a road course) championship in 99' with TP and what's left?
Heard Sadler was headed for Everham with the Candy in tow. If that is true, seems like a good time for RYR to complete the sale of his soul to the "Cheata'-in-the-Hat".
Posted by: Larry | Jul 14, 2006 7:48:27 PM
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