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July 19, 2006
Something Isn't Right.
By Mark Young
Yesterday Elliott Sadler announced that he would be leaving his #38 Robert Yates Racing ride at the end of the year. This follows Dale Jarrett's earlier announcement that he would be leaving RYR to drive a Toyota next year for Michael Waltrip in 2007. To me this is one of the biggest travesties in the history of NASCAR outside of the drivers who have perished while driving a stock car.
Robert Yates has been a mainstay in NASCAR for around twenty years and has quite a history within the sport. He has had great drivers behind the wheel of his race cars, Davie Allison, Ernie Irvan, Ricky Rudd, Dale Jarrett, and Elliott Sadler who have all won races at stock car racing's highest level. Now in a matter of a month or two the future of his organization is in a hole so deep that they can't see the light.
Something must be terribly wrong within the organization for both drivers to leave in the same year. Granted the performance coming out of the Yates stables is far from stellar but he has been working feverishly to regain the competitive edge he once had. There was a time where every competitor feared the Yates cars as they had the most powerful engines in the series under their hood. But Jack Roush weaseled his way into that situation and what advantage Yates' teams held over the field had been neutralized. This "cooperative" was processed under the smiling faces of the Ford people in Detroit as they knew it would help get the blue ovals into victory lane but I don't think any of them had a single ounce of concern as to what this would do to Yates' teams.
He must have been doing something right to keep his primary sponsors as long as he has. Granted the drivers who represent his team and those sponsors do a great job representing their products, but in today's economic climate of racing where some cars feature up to four different primary sponsors during the year Yates was able to do his deal with the three same companies on the hood.
I am deeply sickened by the turn of events Yates is facing as many teams align themselves for 2007. Whether these events are directly or indirectly pointed at Robert something is terribly wrong with this picture. Robert is in the back of the crowd on Halloween night holding an empty sack while everyone else has theirs filled with treats. Can Robert manage to recover from this and sign at least one quality driver and primary sponsor for next year? This is one NASCAR racing fan that hopes he does and can turn this thing around.
July 19, 2006 | Permalink
Comments
Come on wake up Mark, Yates is just being absorbed into the Roush organization. This has been hapening for 2 years now, this is just another way for Jack to get more cars on the track. It is also called Business, it happens , the strong survive, the weak either perish or are controlled by the strong. Happens in nature and it happens in Big Business like Nascar. I don't see why it is such a travesty, strong teams like the Wood Brothers, Petty(although they are on the upswing), and others have found less than happy times. It is the natural progression of the sport.
Posted by: Mopardh9 | Jul 19, 2006 8:47:04 AM
But you are missing my point, Roush isn't using him to get more cars on the track. He has sucked them dry of resources and is now leaving them on the side of the road to move on and ruin someone else. You are right, Petty and the Wood Brothers have recently fallen on hard times but nobody has ever lost both of their drivers and one primary sponsor in the same year.
Posted by: Mark | Jul 19, 2006 8:51:45 AM
Oh woe as me, i feel so sorry for Robert Yates.....come on he is making out fine on this business deal too. I can't have any sympathy when there is mucho$$ to be made for both parties involved.
Posted by: Mopardh9 | Jul 19, 2006 9:14:42 AM
Mark, I understand your point and agree with you 100%. Has it only been 20 years that RYR has existed? Seems like Robert Yates has been involved in NASCAR as long as I can remember, and that’s over 30 years. I remember Davey in that 28 oh too well.
Robert has terminated and replaced so many individuals at RYR recently that I can’t keep up. Was he too trusting, hoping that the “alliance” with Roush would keep him just as competitive? Did he realize too late that it wasn’t as beneficial for his organization, thus loosing DJ & Elliott? There are just too many questions, and only a couple people who can answer them. (But this subject should bring a lot of interesting comments!)
Richard Childress Racing seemed to fall back, but are turning things around. Could it be that RCR and RYR just got “too good” and everyone finally caught up to them? Looks like that’s what happened with Hendrick at super speedways. They’re damn near killing DEI on restrictor plate tracks. Gibbs isn’t doing too bad either.
I also hope RYR is able to sign a quality driver and primary sponsor next year. (Is it certain that M&Ms is staying, or is there a possibility they are going with Sadler?) It WOULD be a travesty to not see Robert Yates Racing participating in Nextel Cup.
Very well said, Mark!
Posted by: Shirley | Jul 19, 2006 9:31:06 AM
When it rains, it pours. I have always been a fan of RYR mainly because of Davey, then Dale, and now Elliott. I thought Elliott was signed through next year? I wish Elliott would have stayed with them and helped them get back to winning races.
Posted by: Michelle | Jul 19, 2006 9:56:37 AM
Well this turn events really shows Ford's commitment to Nascar racing. They apparently only want to be affiliated with one team, Roush Racing. It's pretty shameful for them to allow RYR to get in such a state. Maybe there are some behind the scenes things working we don't know about, but it doesn't look like Ford wants to support but one team.
Posted by: Michael | Jul 19, 2006 11:51:57 AM
Michael, I didn't even think about the fact it might be Ford letting RYR down.
But. . .if that was the case, why didn't Yates switch to Dodge when Penske did? Or. . .if he thought things would work out with Ford, but obviously haven't, why not switch to Toyota now?
Posted by: Shirley | Jul 19, 2006 12:09:22 PM
He had too much to loose with the engine development side of his business to cut ties and go to another manufacturer. But you folks might be right, maybe Ford is just going to let him go now that they have all of the technology they need from him.
Posted by: Mark | Jul 19, 2006 12:28:10 PM
Obviously ,this situation at RYR didn't start this year. I think RYR started their downhill slide around '02. Maybe even during '01. About the time Doug took over the company from Robert.
I look at it this way.....there are three common denominators in the RYR at this time , that were there when all the problems started. ( Doug , Robert and DJ ) Prettymuch everyone in between is gone....and things haven't changed. Actually they are worse. So the problems lie somehere within those three , in my opinion. Someone has destroyed the infrastructure of that company and hasn't done their job.
Their problems are deeper than just motors , HP , chassis , drivers , etc. The morale , teamwork , enthusiasm , and trust is gone from RYR.
The answer ? Regroup and rebuild. That is , if Robert isn't too physically and mentally drained to do it.
Posted by: 8t8fan | Jul 19, 2006 12:33:32 PM
Robert Yates has been involved in racing it seems forever,he had a driver friend in
Davey Allison and bought out I think it was
the old Harry Ranier team. And started RYR and with Texaco and Davey in 1989.
They have fallen on hard times,but could turn around with new top level management.
I don't expect a driver change or sponsor change will help the team till the management is changed.
Great post Mark
and good reply Shirley
Posted by: trucker | Jul 19, 2006 12:40:36 PM
You all still are missing the big picture here, and that is Jack. He controls what goes on at Yates because he basically runs the Yates operation. He pulls the strings and tells the people at Yates what he wants done. I don't know why people don't see this, it is very obvious IMO.
Posted by: Mopardh9 | Jul 19, 2006 12:59:30 PM
Mopar I am with you.....I hate the Cat in the hat. He has ruined the career of many drivers, ruined future relationships with sponsors because he wants too much, and then throws a fit when things don't go his way. If RYR goes away for good it will be because Roush didn't want them around anymore.
Posted by: Mark | Jul 19, 2006 1:09:30 PM
Didn`t anyone else find it interesting that despite Elliott`s "defection" to Evernham, that his "proud sponsor" M&M`s chose to stay w/RYR and the number 38 team. Or have I missed something?
Also, perhaps this will give some of the forgotton verterans of the sport a chance for a rebirth. I personally would love to see Johnny Benson, Ricky Craven or Ward Burton back in a Nextel Cup ride. Yes, I know it`s wishful thinking.
Posted by: Annie | Jul 19, 2006 1:13:31 PM
I don't think M&M's had a choice to follow Elliott. Dodge is pretty outspoken about wanting to be the primary sponsor on the 9 and 19.
I don't know that I buy the fact Roush pulls the strings at Yates. Last week was the first week Yates used a Roush chassis. But, Boris Said has been getting his chassis from Roush all this year. Why hasn't Yates tried a Roush chassis before now? I think the folks at Yates have been just resting on their laurels for whatever reason. Yeah, Roush has benefited from the Yates engine program, but they were winning championships without it.
Posted by: Michael | Jul 19, 2006 1:34:42 PM
And everyone thinks Toyota will ruin NASCAR...Sorry folks it'll be the Roush's and Hendrick's...I agree Jack bled Yates, and the Wood brothers need resucitation.
Posted by: Tbfka# 5 | Jul 19, 2006 1:56:28 PM
NASCAR's four-team limit has come far too little and far too late to help Yates.
Posted by: Mike Daly | Jul 19, 2006 2:07:58 PM
Show me a team with three or more cars that doesn't have at least one car that runs like crap each week.........You can't do it, they all have one. There should be a two car limit.
Posted by: Mark | Jul 19, 2006 2:21:04 PM
Wow, I am very impressed that we are blessed with people posting here that have inside knowledge of the internal workings at both RYR & Roush so that they can advise the rest of us that "Roush is running RYR or pulling the strings at RYR, or being absorbed by Roush" AWESOME inside info!!!!!
Or could it just be wild a** guessing with little real knowledege?? Kinda like being a maroon as Bugs B would say!!!!!!
Why the hatered towards Roush?? He has built one hell of an empire with the least amount of support in the early years. No handouts, no shady deals (Hendrick indictments of the 90's) Just pure hard work & never resting on past victory's as RYR apparently did & is now paying the price. RYR will survive & be a better tougher team becuase of it.
Why would Roush "suck in" RYR. The 4 team rule will apply & with King France, Roush of all people will be under the microscope.
Remember, he is Ford, NOT the favored Chevvyy Hendrick team.
Oh yeah one more thing, TOY is not ruining NA$CAR, the France families greed is doing that all by itself. TOY is just a piece of the $$$ puzzle that is pushing the series that way. Thank you King Brian!!
Posted by: Racerrob | Jul 19, 2006 4:22:49 PM
Hey Racerrob i never said i was an expert, it is OPINION, isn't that what this blog is about? And another thing i like Roush, he is a smart businessman, so get off my case dude.
Posted by: Mopardh9 | Jul 19, 2006 5:43:02 PM
Ooooh........... Mopardh9, so sorry to hurt
your "wittle" feelings!!! A bit touchy huh!!
I just went back & reread your posts & you seem to speak "with authority" as someone in the know so I figured you were the "inside guy" we needed.
Now since it is only opinions strongly stated. Hey thats cool. Your right, thats what the blog is.
Oh yeah one more thing in reviewing your posts,you sure as hell do NOT sound like a Roush fan, but hey, thats my opinion.
Now, take a Midol, have a drink & chill dude!! LOL
Posted by: Racerrob | Jul 20, 2006 12:04:10 AM
Racerrob, Roush entered NASCAR with a $3 million budget in 1988, a budget higher than most other teams at the time. He's bled Ford's effort dry to where he's the only Ford team building its own engines and chassis and is now the only team running Fords that is winning any races.
Posted by: Mike Daly | Jul 20, 2006 1:20:52 AM
I didn't say i was a fan of the Roush cars either, my favorite driver is Kahne, but that doesn't matter. Racerrob you could never hurt my wittle feelings by spouting off here, so get over yourself. Opinion is just that ....some ones thoughts on a matter after reading the facts. Sometimes people interject a bit of conjecture into those opinions. Perhaps i did that....not unlike a lot of other people that post here right? Anyway, Roush is a winner , he has proven that over the years. As for bleeding Ford dry, i doubt that, he has made Ford some money over the years or they wouldn't be sticking with him.
Posted by: Mopardh9 | Jul 20, 2006 4:50:24 AM
Roush does what he does with little major sponsor involvement because he seek exoberant amounts of money from them. Why do you think Valvoline left? Isn't it odd that right after it was announced that he had purchased TWO Boeing 727 airliners to transport his teams that the exodus of sponsors began? Doesn't suck resources dry? Two words MARK MARTIN. He can't let the man retire because of his selfishness. Also, does anyone remember the Kurt Busch saga where part of the reason for leaving was merchandising rights? Evidently (And this is not based on 100% facts) Roush owns the merchandising rights to all of his drivers and they see only a small percentage of the dollars earned.
Jack is a saavy business man, no doubt about it. I just don't like how he does it.
Thank you for your posts.
Posted by: Mark | Jul 20, 2006 7:30:25 AM
Well i never said ai agreed with the way he did business...did I? All i said he was a good businessman...he makes money, has won championships, and has employed some pretty impressive drivers. It is amazing how people put words in your mouth, or spin your posts to suit themselves. Roush has made Ford a ton of money, Roush Specialty Ford Mustangs come to mind, amongest others. There is no doubt that Jack has made money off of his dealings with Ford, but if he were draining Ford dry, why would Ford stick with him for so long?
Posted by: Mopardh9 | Jul 20, 2006 11:25:12 AM
Survival of the fittest, you snooze you lose, last one to the dinner table, etc, etc.
Posted by: ike | Jul 20, 2006 1:25:33 PM
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