[Robert] Yates said there’s a “realistic” chance that RYR could go to three Cup teams next season if 44-year-old Ward Burton, who has been out of Cup the past two seasons, comes up with a sponsor. Citifinancial and M&M’s, according to team officials, are looking for younger drivers such as Leicht, 19, and Gilliland, 30. “If Ward walked in with a sponsor today we’d say, ‘Ward, you’ve got the ride,'” Yates said.(NASCAR.com)
AND: The Yates crew is interested in Gilliland, sources tell Team Ford Racing, with veterans Ricky Rudd and Ward Burton as the teams fallback position if they are unable to sign a young up-and-comer, Gilliland or someone else.(Speed Channel)(7-24-2006)
