Sadler granted release from RYR at season's end

By Mark Ashenfelter
Thursday, July 20, 2006
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BAMBI MATTILA / NASCAR SCENE

Elliott Sadler has been granted a release from his contract with Robert Yates Racing effective at the end of this season, the team said Thursday morning.

With Sadler widely expected to move to Evernham Motorsports for 2007, the announcement caps speculation that began back in May.

No matter where Sadler ends up, the move means RYR is now seeking two drivers - as Dale Jarrett will be joining Michael Waltrip Racing next year - and a sponsor to replace UPS on the team's No. 88 car. M&M's will remain with RYR as the sponsor of the No. 38 Ford that has been driven by Sadler as its contract with the team runs through 2008.

Steven Leicht, who drives for RYR in the Busch Series and will attempt to qualify for his first Nextel Cup race this weekend at Pocono, is a candidate for one of the two vacancies. Ward Burton, who has been trying to secure a sponsor to facilitate his return to Cup, is a possibility as well.

"We would like to thank Elliott for his commitment to our organization over the past four seasons and for all the success we've enjoyed together," team owner Robert Yates said in a statement. "We are excited about the opportunity to find a new driver who will continue the successful run of the [No.] 38 Ford as we maintain our focus on the future of our organization."

A team spokesperson said Sadler would address his situation on Friday at Pocono Raceway.

Unhappy with the team's performance, Sadler said in May that he had an "out" in his contract if he wanted it. Yates has long said that contracts don't matter and that he wouldn't want to keep a driver under contract if he wasn't attracted by the idea of driving for the team.

"Robert and I talked a bunch at Indianapolis [during testing on July 12], and our conversation was that we weren't running as good as we would like, and we're both frustrated," Sadler said July 14. "He's frustrated and I'm frustrated."

Sadler said then that the goal was still to try to turn things around with RYR, but now the team is looking toward a future without him.

"Our objective this year is to finish the season on a strong note," said co-owner Doug Yates. "It is our goal to continue to build this team so we will be better positioned next season to contend for the championship."

William Clements, director of sponsorship and sports marketing for Masterfoods USA, M&M's parent company, said the team is already building toward the future.

"M&M'S has enjoyed an outstanding relationship with Elliott Sadler over the past four seasons, including four wins [including two non-points Gatorade Dual victories at Daytona] and our first pole position. We wish him continued success," Clements said. "Since joining forces at Robert Yates Racing we have enjoyed a great partnership, including our first win as a primary sponsor in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. We are counting on continued success with this organization as Robert and Doug actively search for the new driver of the M&M'S Ford Fusion."

Mentioned Drivers: Elliott Sadler

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