Elliott Sadler has until Saturday to tell Robert Yates whether he plans to drive the #38 M&M’s Ford next year. With Dale Jarrett leaving at the end of the year, Yates might have to fill two seats. Two drivers reportedly on Yates’ short list are Ward Burton and Stephen Leicht.(Orlando Sentinel)
UPDATE 1: hearing Elliott Sadler, current driver of the #38 M&M’s Ford for RYR, will go to he #19 Evernham Motorsports Dodge with current driver there, Jeremy Mayfield going to one of the three Toyota Teams, most likely Michael Waltrip Racing and the #00 car.
AND Speed Channel’s Bob Dilner on NASCAR Live, that rumor has Sadler going to the #19 and COULD be taking the M&M’s sponsorship with him.
UPDATE2 : #55-Michael Waltrip, who will graduate to team ownership with Toyota next year, says he has offered a job to driver #19-Jeremy Mayfield, who recently has expressed dissatisfaction with his current situation at Evernham Racing. “The ball’s in his court,” Waltrip told Speed Channel after his qualifying run Friday at New Hampshire, referring to Mayfield. “Hopefully it will all come together, and as soon as it does we’ll let the world know.” That, meanwhile, would open the seat in Evernham’s #19 Dodge for Elliott Sadler, who apparently is looking for a way out of his deal with Robert Yates. Other reports say Sadler could take sponsor M&Ms with him to the #19, although that could not be confirmed. Robert Yates and Doug Yates were not at the track Friday, although Slugger Labbe, crew chief for Sadler teammate Dale Jarrett and the #88, hinted, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” Mayfield would complete the lineup for Waltrip’s three-car Toyota stable. Waltrip will drive one of the cars, with NAPA sponsorship [#55]. He has hired Jarrett and landed sponsor UPS for the second car [#?], and Mayfield would drive the so-far-vacant third car [#00], to be backed by Domino’s and Burger King. Mayfield had no comment on the reports. Sadler denied he had had any negotiations with Evernham, and he has a year left on his contract with Yates. He admitted he had had a long talk with Yates this week at the Indianapolis tests.(Speed Channel)(7-14-2006)
UPDATE 3:Sadler denied that he’s had discussions with Evernham or anybody from Evernham Motorsports about leaving Robert Yates Racing, but admitted there have been discussions with other teams.(NASCAR.com)
AND Sadler insists his overriding commitment is winning for his team and sponsors. The latest speculation has Sadler taking the #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 dont know about any deadline or date or anything like that, Sadler said after qualifying 18th for Sunday afternoons Lenox Industrial Tools 300. Robert and I talked at Indy [during a recent test]. Our conversation was that were not running as well as wed like; hes frustrated and Im 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 didnt seem to be the answer. That was pretty much our 45-minute conversation. So far as a deadline for deciding about next year: I dont have one; I dont think Robert has one; M&Ms doesnt have one. I havent made up my mind what Im going to do. This is the only uniform Ive had on in four years, so I can see myself driving this 38 Ford again next year.”(Ford Racing)(7-15-2006)
