With an ongoing sponsorship search that’s been “tougher than expected,” Robert Yates Racing co-owner Doug Yates said it’s “time to go” where RYR’s #88 team is concerned. Yates hopes to have something locked down within several weeks, but can’t begin serious talks with a driver to replace Dale Jarrett until securing a sponsor to replace outgoing UPS. “We all know it’s tough; $15 million sponsors aren’t just laying around every corner,” Yates said Friday at Kansas Speedway. “We see how some teams have to piece things together to get to a full season. That’s not our first wish, of course, but we’ll see how it goes.” While a sponsor will look to the team for input, Yates said the sponsor will have the greatest role in choosing the team’s next driver. A veteran would be preferable to pair with David Gilliland but Yates said a younger driver could also work if it goes that way. “We would prefer a veteran because we need that balance,” Yates said. ” But on the other hand, you look at it and say you need to build on something, too. It’s really a tough call. You want to build for your future, but you also want to get your program back to where it needs to be. There’s a lot of things up in the air and it’s been tough.” Gilliland has struggled since replacing Elliott Sadler in the #38 car last month at Michigan. Yates, though, knew patience would be required for a driver with only limited Busch Series experience. “The bright part is he is very fast and qualifies well and you can see the speed. The downside is we don’t need to tear up equipment,” Yates said. “That’s tough. When you wreck cars it’s hard to build on it. You kind of know that going in with somebody and we’ve got a steep learning curve. We knew when we got together and made this that we’re going to have our challenges. But the part that keeps me very excited is you see the speed in him and you see the potential there and you look at the other guys that have come before him and where they’re at today.”(SceneDaily.com)(10-1-2006)
