[Bob Tanner]

I almost lost my lunch this afternoon when I read the following on Jayski:

Kenny Wallace to the #88? Kenny Wallace may return to the NASCAR Cup series next year if a meeting with Robert Yates goes well Sunday in California. "He called me up and said that his brother-in-law told him that the driver he needed to hire was right under his nose - me," Wallace said with his signature laugh. "I told him that the manufacturer wanted me to drive his car last but M&Ms wanted" Ricky Rudd. Wallace said Yates asked him to test the # 88 Ford at Talladega in the near future. "I keep reading that they are considering J.J. Yeley, so we will see what happens," Wallace said. "At least he called me, I didn't call him."(St. Louis Post Dispatch)(9-1-2007)

I was going to make one of my usual curmudgeonly comments but the esteemed owner of the diecast dude blog said it much more eloquently than I.

• Kenny Wallace stating Robert Yates is interested in having him drive the #88 next year. With J.J. Yeley and Jeremy Mayfield both available? C'mon. Yeley has yet to match his dirt track accomplishments in a stock car, but there's at least a possibility of climbing the ladder. And Mayfield can be a pain, but at least he can still drive. In Wallace you're talking about someone given the boot by the Furniture Row team. Now that'll bring potential sponsors flocking to your door if M&M/Mars decides to take their candy elsewhere.

Herman's been down this road before, having subbed with Yates for an injured Ernie Irvin. He didn't do bad, as I recall, but he was ten years younger and a lot more devoted to racing and less devoted to a microphone and his media image. If I were M&M/Mars and had a choice between Elliott Sadler and Kenny, based on performance, I'd say it was no contest.

Pass on this one, Robert. You deserve better.

[Team Yates]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

I almost lost my lunch this afternoon when I read the following on Jayski:

Kenny Wallace to the #88? Kenny Wallace may return to the NASCAR Cup series next year if a meeting with Robert Yates goes well Sunday in California. "He called me up and said that his brother-in-law told him that the driver he needed to hire was right under his nose - me," Wallace said with his signature laugh. "I told him that the manufacturer wanted me to drive his car last but M&Ms wanted" Ricky Rudd. Wallace said Yates asked him to test the # 88 Ford at Talladega in the near future. "I keep reading that they are considering J.J. Yeley, so we will see what happens," Wallace said. "At least he called me, I didn't call him."(St. Louis Post Dispatch)(9-1-2007)

I was going to make one of my usual curmudgeonly comments but the esteemed owner of the diecast dude blog said it much more eloquently than I.

• Kenny Wallace stating Robert Yates is interested in having him drive the #88 next year. With J.J. Yeley and Jeremy Mayfield both available? C'mon. Yeley has yet to match his dirt track accomplishments in a stock car, but there's at least a possibility of climbing the ladder. And Mayfield can be a pain, but at least he can still drive. In Wallace you're talking about someone given the boot by the Furniture Row team. Now that'll bring potential sponsors flocking to your door if M&M/Mars decides to take their candy elsewhere.

Herman's been down this road before, having subbed with Yates for an injured Ernie Irvin. He didn't do bad, as I recall, but he was ten years younger and a lot more devoted to racing and less devoted to a microphone and his media image. If I were M&M/Mars and had a choice between Elliott Sadler and Kenny, based on performance, I'd say it was no contest.

Pass on this one, Robert. You deserve better.

Well Bob, to start with Kenny Wallace - as you said he didn't do to bad when he subbed for Irvan. How would he do if he was "the driver", where the car, etc., is set up for him? I think that he could pull it off. Maybe he's a bit "noisey" for you, but he's very personable, and he isn't a "wreck ya" to take the win. I sure would rather see him get it over Mayfield!!

On to Mayfield - he has worked for "top" teams, didn't go anywhere and complained that he was "mistreated"!! I do NOT see him as a better driver than Kenny Wallace. Along time ago, Mayfield was a "stand up" guy, but somewhere along the line, he became a self centered, pompous ass who wanted to blame all the problems on anybody but himself!!

On to Yeley - I'm still really not sure what I think about him. I'm still thinking about it!!

On to Sadler - Why, why, why, would Robert even consider the thought of a Sadler return?!?!? I really don't see that happening, if it would happen, I would be totally shocked!! I personally lost what respect I had for Sadler when he lied through his teeth to Robert, the team and to us, the fans!!!! He swore up one side and down the other, for months, that he was staying with RYR through the run of his contract. He denounced all the rumours of his leaving and going to Evernham, saying that they never even spoke!! Then he finally grew a set and told Robert, the team and us, he was leaving and SURPRISE!!!! going to Evernham!!!! Robert gave him the recognition, the "fame" that he now receives. Before he went to Yates, he was a "also ran". He wasn't setting any records, he was consistently in the lower end of points (20 something). Robert, and team helped him to top ten standings points!! When the going got a little rough, he just jumped ship and ran away with his tail between his legs. Let's see, where is he with the "great" Evernham in the standings? Oh, I see, he is much better there, he is 25th in points!! He's been in this sport since 1998, and that's all the better he can do, after all these years and experience?? Granted, Gilliland is 28th in points, but it is his first full year, going to almost all of these tracks for the first time. I think throughoput the long run, he will prove to be a much better driver than Sadler!!

I don't know who I want to take over the 88, but I sure know who I don't want to see be there, and my top two NO's are NO Mayfield, and NO WAY in hell Sadler!!!!

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Team Yates

Well Bob, to start with Kenny Wallace - as you said he didn't do to bad when he subbed for Irvan. How would he do if he was "the driver", where the car, etc., is set up for him? I think that he could pull it off. Maybe he's a bit "noisey" for you, but he's very personable, and he isn't a "wreck ya" to take the win. I sure would rather see him get it over Mayfield!!

On to Mayfield - he has worked for "top" teams, didn't go anywhere and complained that he was "mistreated"!! I do NOT see him as a better driver than Kenny Wallace. Along time ago, Mayfield was a "stand up" guy, but somewhere along the line, he became a self centered, pompous ass who wanted to blame all the problems on anybody but himself!!

On to Yeley - I'm still really not sure what I think about him. I'm still thinking about it!!

On to Sadler - Why, why, why, would Robert even consider the thought of a Sadler return?!?!? I really don't see that happening, if it would happen, I would be totally shocked!! I personally lost what respect I had for Sadler when he lied through his teeth to Robert, the team and to us, the fans!!!! He swore up one side and down the other, for months, that he was staying with RYR through the run of his contract. He denounced all the rumours of his leaving and going to Evernham, saying that they never even spoke!! Then he finally grew a set and told Robert, the team and us, he was leaving and SURPRISE!!!! going to Evernham!!!! Robert gave him the recognition, the "fame" that he now receives. Before he went to Yates, he was a "also ran". He wasn't setting any records, he was consistently in the lower end of points (20 something). Robert, and team helped him to top ten standings points!! When the going got a little rough, he just jumped ship and ran away with his tail between his legs. Let's see, where is he with the "great" Evernham in the standings? Oh, I see, he is much better there, he is 25th in points!! He's been in this sport since 1998, and that's all the better he can do, after all these years and experience?? Granted, Gilliland is 28th in points, but it is his first full year, going to almost all of these tracks for the first time. I think throughoput the long run, he will prove to be a much better driver than Sadler!!

I don't know who I want to take over the 88, but I sure know who I don't want to see be there, and my top two NO's are NO Mayfield, and NO WAY in hell Sadler!!!!

I just don't like the image Kenny portrays. I don't hold him in near the same contempt I hold Rick "The Felon" Hendrick, he just kind of the loud mouth little cousin who used to visit you and your parents always threatened bodily harm if you "Didn't play nice with him."

The statement about "Mayfield may be a pain but he can drive," DID NOT come from the tips of these typing fingers. They came from the diecastdude's. I have always thought Mayfield was a schmuck and probably always will. 'Nuff said on that.

From what I read this morning it looks like J.J. is going to RYR. Gilliland seems to be very slowly coming into his own and a credible driver, maybe the same will befall Yeley.

On the Sadler statement, I was referring to Mars/Snickers leaving RYR and going to Everham and Sadler, not the other way around. Only a thought, not a prophecy.

Basically you and I are on the same page except in our assessed value of Kenny Wallace. The only good thing I can see happening if Wallace were to go to RYR (which I very seriously doubt is in the cards) would be that it "might" keep him in a car and away from the TV cameras.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

The only good thing I can see happening if Wallace were to go to RYR (which I very seriously doubt is in the cards) would be that it "might" keep him in a car and away from the TV cameras.

Good for us but maybe not so good for RYR.

[Team Yates]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

I just don't like the image Kenny portrays. I don't hold him in near the same contempt I hold Rick "The Felon" Hendrick, he just kind of the loud mouth little cousin who used to visit you and your parents always threatened bodily harm if you "Didn't play nice with him."

The statement about "Mayfield may be a pain but he can drive," DID NOT come from the tips of these typing fingers. They came from the diecastdude's. I have always thought Mayfield was a schmuck and probably always will. 'Nuff said on that.

From what I read this morning it looks like J.J. is going to RYR. Gilliland seems to be very slowly coming into his own and a credible driver, maybe the same will befall Yeley.

On the Sadler statement, I was referring to Mars/Snickers leaving RYR and going to Everham and Sadler, not the other way around. Only a thought, not a prophecy.

Basically you and I are on the same page except in our assessed value of Kenny Wallace. The only good thing I can see happening if Wallace were to go to RYR (which I very seriously doubt is in the cards) would be that it "might" keep him in a car and away from the TV cameras.

No problem Bob, I was just stating my feelings on the list of drivers listed. As far as M&M's and Sadler - they seemed to have done alot more marketing with Sadler than they are doing with Gilliland?!? I say, I don't care, if M&M's wants to go be Sadler, let them!! Let somebody that really wants to be there with Yates and Gilliland, be there!! I know that it is only a thought, not a prophecy - if I thought you were a prophet, you would have given me the winning powerball numbers!!

[oncea3fan]

well, I see kenny has an ok driver that has never gotten thev full term high end equimpment. also the sponsor might see the same thing NAPA see's in mikey. TV time, inside nascar.

kenny has race day, which is before and after the race plus replayed through out the week.

also seems most people know kenny even if he is an also ran.

on to sadler, sadler had the chance to go to a team that was winning more races than anyone. not hard to want to be on a winning team.
is M&M's going to EMS ???

yalely ??? he doesn't impress me at all, although he does get camara time every week, but it does come at the cost of a wrecked racecar.

mayfield, has simply burned too many high profile bridges. I never saw him has top ranked driver to substanchiant that jumping of rides. I believe he will fade away, or maybe in the 78 car.

[MIKE28]

Originally Posted by Team Yates

No problem Bob, I was just stating my feelings on the list of drivers listed. As far as M&M's and Sadler - they seemed to have done alot more marketing with Sadler than they are doing with Gilliland?!? I say, I don't care, if M&M's wants to go be Sadler, let them!! Let somebody that really wants to be there with Yates and Gilliland, be there!! I know that it is only a thought, not a prophecy - if I thought you were a prophet, you would have given me the winning powerball numbers!!

I agree. The only thing that scares me is that RYR lost out on JR., Busch and now Yeley, so they might be forced to take the best of the leftovers. The question now is who is the best of the leftovers? Dont forget that Ford wants to bring in Ambrose and might ask RYR to bring him in with there help. Just heard that Kenny Wallace will be driving for Rudd this weekend. Possibly an audition for the 88.

[oncea3fan]

what about skinner, he wasn't one to tear up alot of equipment, but only had the one quality ride with RCR, although he may be locked to toyota

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by oncea3fan

what about skinner, he wasn't one to tear up alot of equipment, but only had the one quality ride with RCR, although he may be locked to toyota

I believe Mike has a ways to go on the contract with BDR.

Another angle on this (and this is a concept which might be tough for some people to swallow) is that Mike just may be happy where he's at, in CTS.

There have been a number of drivers who have the talent for Cup but tried it and decided that being a big fish in a small pond was preferable to being a small fish in Lake Superior. Drivers who immediately jump to mind here are Tommy Houston, Tommy Ellis, Sam Ard, Ron Hornaday Jr, Jack Sprague, and Mike McLaughlin.

Then I know there are drivers who, for one reason or another, just plain didn't want to move from lesser series. Two people I know of who had multiple offers to transition from ASA to NASCAR but declined every offer were Mike Eddy and Bob Senneker. I'm not sure Senneker could have made the transition but there is no doubt in my military mind that Mike could have been a bonafide star in NASCAR but he put his family life and his roots in Michigan over the potential of stardom.

Bottom line. Maybe Mike Skinner is happier with the slower pace of CTS and won't jump back into the Cup pot unless the opportunity is EXACTLY perfect?

[jks812]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

I believe Mike has a ways to go on the contract with BDR.

Another angle on this (and this is a concept which might be tough for some people to swallow) is that Mike just may be happy where he's at, in CTS.

There have been a number of drivers who have the talent for Cup but tried it and decided that being a big fish in a small pond was preferable to being a small fish in Lake Superior. Drivers who immediately jump to mind here are Tommy Houston, Tommy Ellis, Sam Ard, Ron Hornaday Jr, Jack Sprague, and Mike McLaughlin.

Then I know there are drivers who, for one reason or another, just plain didn't want to move from lesser series. Two people I know of who had multiple offers to transition from ASA to NASCAR but declined every offer were Mike Eddy and Bob Senneker. I'm not sure Senneker could have made the transition but there is no doubt in my military mind that Mike could have been a bonafide star in NASCAR but he put his family life and his roots in Michigan over the potential of stardom.

Bottom line. Maybe Mike Skinner is happier with the slower pace of CTS and won't jump back into the Cup pot unless the opportunity is EXACTLY perfect?

Wasn't Skinner the one that was on Trackside a few months back and said he liked the trucks cause the schedule wasn't as long? Might have been Sprague. One of the announcers made the comment about CTS not paying as much and he said but at least he had a life and that the cup schedule was to long.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by jks812

Wasn't Skinner the one that was on Trackside a few months back and said he liked the trucks cause the schedule wasn't as long? Might have been Sprague. One of the announcers made the comment about CTS not paying as much and he said but at least he had a life and that the cup schedule was to long.

It could have been either one. I've heard more than these two CTS drivers make similar statements.

It's not only the drivers. There are crew chiefs and crew members who like the slower, less publicized pace of the lower series.

Actually, in some ways CTS is kind of where Winston Cup was in the late 80's. It can still be fun and profitable, to a point. Plus a driver can go out in public without an entourage, without being besieged by pains-in-the-ass demanding that he autograph miscellaneous articles, or not having some slime ball paparazzi trying to snap your picture as you exit a stall in the men's room.