[LSC9901]

Ricky Rudd returning to Yates


Posted: December 9, 2006

By Lee Spencer
Sporting News



DAVIDSON, N.C. -- Ricky Rudd's self-imposed vacation from racing is over.

var blogId After nearly a year off from NASCAR Nextel Cup racing, Rudd and Robert Yates have agreed to join forces once again in what will prove to be more than just a nostalgic joyride down memory lane. Rudd, 50, replaces Dale Jarrett, his former teammate at Robert Yates Racing for three seasons starting in 2000. Jarrett has since joined Michael Waltrip Racing. Butch Hylton will continue in his role as the Yates team's crew chief. Yates introduced the No. 88 in 1995, but in what could be a strange, yet positive, turn of events, it's likely Rudd will be reviving his former car number -- the 28 -- one of the most popular numbers in NASCAR. RYR first carried the No. 28 when the team was purchased from Ranier Racing in 1988. Davey Allison, Ernie Irvan and Kenny Irwin drove the No. 28 Texaco Havoline Ford, but after the sponsor moved to Ganassi Racing and Rudd left Yates at the end of 2002, the number hasn't been used.
The candy giant Mars, which already sponsors Yates' No. 38 M&M's Ford, also will back Rudd's effort.
During Rudd's earlier tenure at RYR, he scored three wins, 34 top fives, 53 top 10s and four poles. Rudd finished in the top five in the point standings the first two years and wound up in 10th place after a tumultuous 2002 season.
Although Rudd and Yates did not part on the best of terms, much has changed in the last four years. While Yates still has some of the best engines in NASCAR, his race program has suffered over the past season with the loss of general manager Eddie D'Hondt last spring, the resignations of drivers Jarrett and Elliott Sadler and the defection of sponsor UPS. It has been a humbling experience for Yates, but with the return of right-hand man Todd Parrott and the addition of rising star David Gilliland, the potential is there to turn the organization around.
Rudd certainly will be key in the rebuilding process. In 31 seasons at the Cup level, Rudd has won 23 races, and hen has posted 194 top-fives and 373 top 10s. His experience will be invaluable to both Gilliland and Yates' Busch driver Stephen Leicht, who both have limited seat time at NASCAR's top levels. Despite a year off from the Nextel Cup Series, Rudd proved his ability when he relieved the ailing Tony Stewart in the No. 20 Chevrolet at Dover in June. Rudd ran in the top 10 before a speeding penalty relegated him to 25th. Rudd has kept his skills sharp by running motocross and go-karts. After more than 30 years away from competing in go-karts, Rudd and partner Paulie Harraka won the RoboPong.com 200 at New Castle Motorsports Park in October against an 86-kart field. Testing in the offseason will expedite Rudd's acclimation process to both the old cars and the new. Rudd tested the Car of Tomorrow for Wyler Racing at Talladega in October and will be invaluable in Yates' development of the COTs. Given the dedication of both racers to turn the program around and the commitment from the Mars family, expect to see a new and improved Yates Racing in 2007.

[Wampinrock]

I am pleased to see that Rudd will return to one of the premier racing garages...Yates is a good, fair and worthy member of the NASCAR circuit, and Rudd is one of the standard-bearers of the sport. I recall Rudd in the Tide car several years ago and I feel confident that Allison would not mind the recurrance of this driver. Being a traditionalist, I was not happy with Swervin' Irvin in the 28 car...always felt is was a sacrilage to Allison, who, was one of the strongest up-and-comers of the time. His death still lingers heavy in my race-room environment. While a died-in-the-wood GM fan, Allison caught my eye (even in a Ford!) as one of the finest drivers, best personality and teriffic family tradition entries on the circuit. Always wondered if Davey would have fought hend-to-hand between the 3rd and 4th turns after crashing into the 'other guy' after the race? Great family.

I digress...Rudd will have this opportunity to return to one of the finest pits, have a grand steed under him and be able to put yet another notch in his steering wheel...good going, yates...hope it works this time around.

[wingkey1]

Going to be interesting to see if Ricky still has it. As is true for a number of others the owner/driver thing he did for a number of years did not increase his market value.

RYR and NASCAR are synonomous to me. It'd be real good to see them return to "every week" contender status. Parrots return could both inspire and assist the overall effort.

Gotta admit, upon seeing the Rudd & Yates 2007 announcement, first thoughts were not "positive" in the sense that I do not expect there was a bidding war with other teams involved. Kind of a "whoa, betcha it was really tough to land that one".

Leaves one to wonder whether the hot shoes could not be lured to the RYR camp because of the present condition of the programs.

The 28 back on the track will certainly revive a lot of memories. Be really cool were it to carry Havoline colors once again.

Hope the best for RYR. Rudd too. We'll all have to wait and see how this plays out.

[LSC9901]

While I am in fact excited about the prospect of RYR having a veteran driver I am also going to be realistic with the fact that Ricky isn't as young as the young guns and like many of the over 40 years old (plus) drivers ... they just don't have it anymore. I am more than willing to be way wrong with this vision. Is he going to be driving the 28 Havoline car ??? I know that Dale Sr.'s number and colors are pretty much reserved to just him but when I see 28 and Havoline I see Davey, but I really am OK with its return to the track with a different driver. Much like I would be with the black #3.

[Quality88]

Well it will be Good to see Ricky again as well as the 28. I wish they had got Ward in there though. I think this move would be more of get a veteran in there to help with the groomin of Gilliland and the buildin of a team for a future young gun(Leicht perhaps). This hopefully will be what RYR has been needin for a step towards rebuildin.

Thanks LSC for keepin tabs... I knew they were goin to announce soon.

[Souporscotty]

I realize it's the off-season, but we're getting WAY too many ads on these boards. I'm outa here 'til Feb. Have a good Xmas and a Happy New Year everybody.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Souporscotty

I realize it's the off-season, but we're getting WAY too many ads on these boards. I'm outa here 'til Feb. Have a good Xmas and a Happy New Year everybody.

What the hell happened to the report bad post button?

[LSC9901]

Sorry guys about the ads/spam. I wasn't around much yesterday so I didn't catch them. The NASCAR boards have been relatively free of them so far. With a couple of software updates the "report post" has disappeared but I will contact Ross about it and go from there. Anytime you see something you feel is spam or a blatant ad just PM myself or Ross (RMJVOL) and we'll go from there. Thanks.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Well it will be Good to see Ricky again as well as the 28. I wish they had got Ward in there though. I think this move would be more of get a veteran in there to help with the groomin of Gilliland and the buildin of a team for a future young gun(Leicht perhaps). This hopefully will be what RYR has been needin for a step towards rebuildin.

Thanks LSC for keepin tabs... I knew they were goin to announce soon.

Q88...Have you heard anything about Ricky's crew chief? I have heard that Fatback isn't going to return to the Wood Brothers and he's now a free agent? That would be a good combination.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Q88...Have you heard anything about Ricky's crew chief? I have heard that Fatback isn't going to return to the Wood Brothers and he's now a free agent? That would be a good combination.

Scuttlebutt says Fatback is goin to return back to RYR. I think I saw something on espn.com as well as Nascar.com. I haven't heard anything of truth about a crew chief. It was said they would announce that at the time they announced the driver and sponsor. It would be a hell of a combination. It would be a hell of a combination between crew chiefs with Parrott and Fatback back together. I'm keeping my eyes and ears open.

Once again I want to thank LSC for keepin an eye out for the announcement while I was with my family.

[oncea3fan]

I sure would have liked to see kenny shrader in that car, once fatbach came on board at the wood bros. they were making leaps and bounds.
I think another years in #21 with fatback, you'd have seen them contenting.

either way rudd/fatback/yates is a great combo. and Iam glad to here the 28 will be on track again.

[lilsexy08]

I'm glad he is coming back. But the racers retire and then come back, what's up with that? I guess they have need for speed! LOL!

[750-roosterpower]

I am Glad to see Ricky Rudd back behind the wheel. Never did he say he was retired, he said he was going to take off a year and see what happens(maybe that is why he didnt have a 2 year farewell tour so he can run part time). As for wishing Ward Burton would have got the ride, I was hoping that Ward would, But now i am glad that Rudd got it. Ward is a good driver but his statistics just dont match up to Rudd (788 consecative starts "ironman", 23 wins, 16 consecative years with at least 1 win, on the nascar top 50 drivers list). Maybe if Rudd didnt do the Owner/driver thing for so many years he could have had several championships, but hey, he still won more races than any other owner/driver. Isnt that the american dream, to work for yourself and be good at it? Rudd-Yates-Fatback combo was good a few years ago. But the politics and ego's then made it to where they all parted ways. If the threesome can get back together, look for some great things to come. Rudd and Fatback worked together at the woods bros. and the results were eveident. If they all can "bury the hatchet" and go racin' well...Nascar will be fun to watch again, at least for me. I am an old school racer at heart, even though many of the "young guns" are older than me. GOOOOOOOOO ROOSTERRRRRRR!!

[Bob Tanner]

Folks, there is nothing I'd like to see more than RYR make a comeback but after giving it a lot of thought I don't see it happening.

As popular as it was to see Robert get Ricky I don't see it as a solution. First of all Rudd will be 51 next year and he doesn't have a lot of time left in his career. Yates will supply the power and Ricky will run well on the cookie-cutter 1 and 1½-mile tracks, but I think that will most likely be the high point. I think Ricky will run fast and be safely in the "Chosen 35," but in today's NA$CAR that doesn't spell success, just survival.

With all the turmoil RYR has gone through this past season they just have to be way behind the power curve on the NA$CARmobile tracks and the entire NA$CARmobile program.

From where I set, Robert brings to the table next season:
1. A proven and successful engine program
2. Argueably the best crew chief in the NASCAR garages today, Todd Parrott
3. A veteran driver with a wealth of knowledge
4. A new driver with improving ability

Some of the things I wish weren't there:
1. No proven depth in the garage personnel
2. Coming off a year where discention, confusion and even desparation reigned supreme
3. A driver who will be 51 years old and is coming off a year of inactivity
4. A new driver who, though talented, is relatively unproven
5. Questionable ability to attract sponsorship. The sponsor he has is sponsoring two teams (conservatively a $28 million investment; how long can they keep that up?)
6. A less than stellar BGN program. Over the past several year it shows that the successful Cup teams are heavily vested in the BGN Series.
7. A dependence on another owner (Roush) for chassis technology. Partnerships with Jack Roush are not necessarily a ticket to success.

I'd love to think that Rudd will end up in the playoffs and manage 3-4 wins this coming season. I'd also love to see Gilliland finish in the top 15 and be consistantly competitive. But realistically I think it'll be another tough year for RYR and if both teams finish above 25th, Robert should call it a roaring success.

I'm very afraid that getting Mars to sponsor his second team and getting Rudd as a driver was akin to a cardiac arrested patient having an EMT him him with the defibulator paddles on the way to the hospital. You go from a flat line or an irregular beat to a regular heartbeat, but the patient is still in BIG trouble and needs lots of help.

Gosh, I hope I'm waaaaay off base on this one.

[LSC9901]

As in the past Bob, I believe we think with one brain. That was meant to be a good statement, although others may feel totally different.

My general feeling about drivers who are in their late 40's plus, is that their peak has passed. Now keep in mind that "I" feel that is the way it is, as a general rule. I'm sure there are cases that can be cited that would prove me completely wrong. My examples would be Bill Elliott. The guy is a very popular driver with all the right stuff, but the reactions are gone. Years ago he broke his wrist in a race and from that point on he was never really competetive. Rusty left at least a year to late. Richard Petty who is the modern eras most winning driver, stayed waaaaay to long. I think we are now on an upswing of younger drivers who are well conditioned and have a desire that far out weighs that of the likes of Ricky Rudd. None of that makes Ricky a bad person or even a disliked driver but if you wee going to run a 26.2 mile marathon would you rather be 50, inactive at your game for a year or would you rather be 31, in great shape and coming off a year of activity in your chosen sport ???

I'm sure everyone will agree that '07 will be a rebuilding year for RYR. They may have a longer vision of what will be taking place in the future and Ricky is just filling a void at this time. Like many others I'd love to be wrong but I agree with Bob that being in the top 35 will be a success for Ricky and a top 15 finish for the year would be tremendous for RYR.

Ricky ... please prove me wrong.