More Rudd – Announcement Saturday? Ricky Rudd suggested he might announce his intentions for the future immediately after Saturday night’s race. Most figure the 45-year-old driver will retire to devote more time to his children[child].(Augusta Chronicle)(7-5-2002) However: It looks as if Ricky Rudd, who is considering retirement, will be around the Winston Cup Series for at least another season or two. Rudd said Thursday that he has offers from several teams for next year and also is negotiating with his current car owner, Robert Yates, to stay in the #28 Ford for another year. One of the hangups with his current team appears to be the length of the contract. Rudd wants to sign only a one-year deal, and he says Yates and the sponsors want a longer one. But he would like to drive the same car next year. “If I could get Robert [Yates] to agree to a one-year agreement, then the retirement would not happen this year,” said Rudd, 45. “One thing is I’ve been spoiled by some good runs here lately.” Rudd expects to make a decision by July 15.(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(7-6-2002) UPDATE: have not heard anything about an annoucement being made Saturday night.(7-7-2002)
