Elliott Sadler glad to be a part of Richard Petty Motorsports
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Richard Petty Motorsports driver Elliott Sadler describes his marriage as “the happiest thing” in his life but says it wasn’t necessarily the “coolest” thing that happened to him in the offseason.
Sadler and the former Amanda Price were married in January in the middle of what turned out to be a tumultuous offseason.
Before Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Petty Holdings announced their merger, Sadler found himself embroiled in controversy over his No. 19 Dodge ride. Gillett Evernham had discussed putting AJ Allmendinger in the car, but Sadler had a contract for that job.
Eventually, the team decided to keep Sadler in the car, but it wasn’t an easy time for him. He says that he was fortunate that many of his driver colleagues expressed their confidence in him, something that helped him get through winter months.
“I tell you what the coolest thing that’s happened to me this offseason, the best thing, is when all this stuff that was going on was the drivers who called me with their support,” Sadler said. “Dale Earnhardt Jr., an icon in this sport, was the first guy to call me: ‘Been friends with you a long time. What can I do to help? I believe in you, you deserve to be a part of this sport.’
“Dale Jarrett was the same way, Kurt Busch, Jamie McMurray, Martin Truex Jr. All these guys were calling and saying, ‘Hey, we’re friends of yours. If you need us for anything, let us know.’ That was awesome.”
Better than getting married? You decide.
“Getting married is the happiest thing that’s ever happened in my life,” Sadler said. “With all the stuff that went on this offseason, getting ready for a wedding and starting a life of marriage really helped me a lot. It helped me sleep a lot at night and kind of kept me going in the right direction.
“I can’t wait to start that chapter of my life with kids and family stuff like that.”
