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Jarrett appears headed to Waltrip's Toyota team
By Kenny Bruce
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
BAMBI MATTILA / NASCAR SCENE
Toyota has yet to put a car on the track in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, but the automotive giant appears to have already landed its first NASCAR champion. Dale Jarrett, the 1999 NASCAR Cup champion, is expected to help head the company's 2007 entry into the series, agreeing to join Michael Waltrip Racing next season.
Several sources have confirmed that Jarrett, 49, informed Robert Yates Racing officials of his decision April 26.
Jarrett, in the final year of his contract at RYR, had said earlier this year that he hoped to continue competing in Cup through the 2008 season. But when asked April 29 about a possible move to Toyota next season, Jarrett deflected the question, saying he would talk only about Talladega.
However, while he has often noted a certain allegiance to car owner Robert Yates and to Ford, he did address rumors of his departure that have circulated through the garage.
"Rumors don't concern me," he said. "What people have to say and speculate on doesn't bother me at all. My job is to drive this race car and try to make us better. We sit just outside the top 10 [in points] and we haven't performed yet like we're capable of, so we know that we've got an opportunity to get ourselves in the Chase this year and we're gonna try to take advantage of that."
UPS, the primary sponsor of the No. 88 Ford, is also in the final year of its contract with the team. And sources have indicated that the overnight delivery service provider would like to remain with RYR, provided the team can sign a competitive driver rather than someone just embarking on a Cup career. If the latter is the case, it's likely that UPS will make the move with Jarrett to Waltrip's organization.
RYR typically attempts to sign sponsors for the length of its drivers' contracts. Because of that, those sponsors have some leverage in driver selection.
Waltrip said April 28 that he had spoken with Jarrett about 2007 and beyond, but said nothing had been resolved. Waltrip, who started his own Busch Series team nearly a decade ago, and has fielded Cup cars on occasion, will begin fielding two Toyota Nextel Cup cars full time next season. As part of the program's growth, he announced earlier this year that he will put Bill Elliott in a Chevrolet out of his own shop in five Cup races later this year.
"Obviously it's been in the media that [Jarrett's] deal is up this year," Waltrip said. "You ought to be able to figure out that I have [spoken with him], because how could you not? He's a champion, he's a friend and I did ask him, but I don't have anything to report on the answer."
In addition to his 1999 championship, Jarrett has 32 wins in 612 career starts. He has been with RYR since 1995. His first win came while driving for Wood Brothers Racing at Michigan in 1991. He finished outside the top 10 (15th) in 2005 and '04, failing to qualify for the Chase For The Nextel Cup. He finished 26th in 2003, ending a run of seven straight top-10 points finishes.
Toyota will enter Cup competition - putting its popular Camry model on the track - with three organizations fielding a total of six teams: Michael Waltrip Racing, Bill Davis Racing and Red Bull Racing with two teams apiece. Waltrip and Jarrett would handle the driving duties at MWR, while current
BDR driver Dave Blaney will drive one car for Davis. Red Bull, a start-up team, has yet to name drivers for either of its cars.
Possible driver candidates that have been mentioned in the Toyota mix have included Richard Childress Racing's Kevin Harvick and owner/driver Robby Gordon. However, car owner Richard Childress said April 29 that he is close to signing Harvick to an extension.
Gordon, who has fielded his own team since 2005, has an existing relationship with Red Bull through his off-road racing efforts.
Mentioned Drivers: Bill Elliott
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