Robert Yates Racing co-owner Doug Yates told reporters in Richmond, Va., his team could shrink from two cars to one if sponsorship isn’t found for its #88 [currently driven by Dale Jarrett with UPS as the sponsor](USA Today sidebar)(9-15-2006)
UPDATE: Despite recent dire predictions that he may have to shutter his #88 Ford team next year for lack of a sponsor, car owner Robert Yates told SPEEDTV.com on Saturday that hes close to inking a deal for next season and he hopes the driver of the #88 in 2007 will be Mark Martin. From my side, were getting pretty optimistic, Yates said following Happy Hour practice for the Sylvania 300 NASCAR Nextel Cup race at New Hampshire International Speedway. Were given and getting some good (sponsor) opportunities I think its going to happen, and Im anxious and Im happy that were getting the cars better. I think its all going to end up on the positive. I think I may have a job for a while longer. Last week at Richmond, Yates said he might have to close the #88 team down next year, because he didnt have a sponsor, but events of the last few days have changed his mind about 2007. Asked if things had changed in the last week, Yates said, Big time, adding, I turned upbeat this week. Asked how close he was to a sponsor deal, Yates said, It could happen this week. The sooner, the better, but I want to make sure we get our cars right. Were gaining on that quite a bit. It needs to happen. Right now, Im very optimistic that well be in good shape and good to go for another season. The team owner said he wanted a veteran driver and that could mean Mark Martin, who Yatess son, Doug, has talked to about moving over from Roush Racing. I know Doug has talked to him hes interested, said Yates. Thats the feedback I get. I havent talked one on one with him. Martin said Friday he hadnt talked to Yates but left the door open for options outside of Roush next year.(Speedtv.com)(9-16-2006)
UPDATE 2 – can’t do Cup full-time? Roush Racing president Geoff Smith said Mark Martin’s Truck Series contract that is in the final stages of preparation will not allow him to run a full Nextel Cup schedule in 2007. “You can’t do both,” Smith said emphatically before Sunday’s Cup race at New Hampshire International Speedway. Smith said Martin’s best option for a partial Cup schedule if that’s what he desires will be in the #60 team that Roush Racing manages with Boris Said. He smiled when told that Robert Yates continues to put Martin on his wish list to drive the #88 next season.(NASCAR.com)(9-18-2006)
