Sadler signs contract extension with Gillett Evernham
By Jeff Gluck - Associate Editor
Thursday, June 05, 2008
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SCENE ON THE CIRCUIT
Elliott Sadler and Gillett Evernham Motorsports will continue their relationship through at least 2010. GEM announced May 29 it had re-signed Sadler for two more years, extending a tenure that began in 2006.
Sadler said May 30 that he agreed to the extension at the beginning of the season and signed it “a couple” months ago, but the team waited to announce it. It made the announcement now, he said, to help lure sponsorship by showing prospective companies that GEM will have stability behind the wheel.
“This is a tough sport right now and the economy is tough, so you want to use every kind of tool you’ve got to make sure you get the right partner and keep them all for a long time,” Sadler said. “I want to help in doing that, so we thought it was the right time to come out now and say that I’ve re-upped for a couple years.”
Sadler has won three career Cup races, including two in 2004 when he made the Chase for Robert Yates Racing. He hasn’t reached that level, however, since moving to Gillett Evernham, finishing 22nd in points in 2006 and 25th last year. He was 28th following the June 1 race at Dover.
One of Sadler’s best attributes is a likable personality, which helps attract sponsors.
“I try to offer them more than just what’s on the race track,” he said. “I try to offer them Elliott Sadler the personality off the race track and we try to do a lot of extra things for our sponsors. ... We treat them right.”
In the offseason, Sadler said he entertained the idea of looking at other teams, but dismissed the idea.
“The grass always looks greener on the other side of the street, and sometimes it’s just a bit harder to chew,” he said. “... I thought, ‘I’ve got great teammates, I’ve got a good group of guys around me. We feel like we’re making some progress here. So let’s stay here. Let’s do the right thing. Let’s keep working on this to make it better and better.’”
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