The stars appear to have lined up perfectly for Johnny Sauter to drive Robert Yates Racing’s #88 Ford Fusion in the Nextel Cup Series next season. Sauter has the inside track to the only car without a driver in the top 35 in the Nextel Cup owner points, guaranteeing a position in the Daytona 500 and the next four races in 2007. Yates is also talking to Ricky Rudd, who doesn’t want to compete full time. Unless Yates can induce the 50-year-old Rudd into changing his mind — and it seems unlikely — the #88 belongs to Sauter. They’re the only two drivers under consideration.(CNNSI)(11-25-2006)
UPDATE: Ricky Rudd will join Robert Yates Racing, driving the #28 Mars Company [was #88] sponsored Ford, replacing Dale Jarrett [who drove the #88 UPS Ford, now going to MWR in the #44 UPS Toyota]. Butch Hylton will continue in his role as the Yates #28/88 team’s crew chief.(Sporting News)(12-10-2006)
