[Team Yates]

SONOMA, Calif. -- For David Gilliland, it always has seemed simple at Infineon Raceway, a tricky 1.99-mile road-course that gives other Sprint Cup series drivers serious fits.
Gilliland made his first Sprint Cup start at the track in June of 2006, but it wasn't the first time he had raced at the venue. He had raced there while on the NASCAR Camping World West circuit and also in the NASCAR Southwest series, winning two events.
So it came as no surprise -- at least to Gilliland -- that he registered a Cup career-best second-place finish in Sunday's Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon. He said he owes much of his Infineon success to his father, Butch, formerly a formidable driver in his own right in what is now known as the Camping World West series.
"My dad has won here four times, and the first time I ever road raced I came here," said Gilliland, who served as his father's crew chief when Butch won the Camping World West series championship in 1997. "I had never road raced or nothing, and I qualified fourth. We broke a transmission then, but I just always came here with the attitude that if my dad could do it, I guess I can do it.
"I've never really taken any lessons on road racing. I'm just kind of at home here. It's been good. It's been a great racetrack for us."
The only one better Sunday was race winner Kyle Busch, who said he once drove for the Gilliland family in a lower series when he was starting out as a driver.
"We've been friends kind of through the years," said Busch, who recalled getting moved out of the way for a spot by Gilliland on the last lap of one of those early races.
It was ironic, then, that Busch felt all along that Gilliland wouldn't attempt to do the same in the final laps Sunday -- even though he said he knew how badly Gilliland hungers for his first Sprint Cup victory.
"To be racing with him at the end of the race was neat. I knew he would race me clean," said Busch, who won his series-high fifth Cup race of the season. "I've got to thank him for doing that and also congratulate him on a great finish of his own."
Jeff Gordon, who finished third right behind Gilliland, also said he was impressed with the way Gilliland smoothly negotiated his No. 38 Ford around the 12-turn Infineon beast.
"I wasn't around him enough to know what he did most of the race, but there at the end he was definitely impressive," Gordon said. "He was good on the restarts. He would get in there, and I thought he was going to have something for Kyle there at the end. I think actually if all the speedy-dry hadn't been on the racetrack, he might have.
"Kyle did a great job. It shows all the talent he's got and what a great team effort it was. But David really impressed me. I was happy for him; I like David a lot."
The speedy-dry was on the track after a 12-minute delay when the race was red-flagged, following a late-race accident that removed three key players from contention and benefited Gilliland perhaps most of all.
It occurred in Turn 4 when Kevin Harvick drove his No. 29 Chevrolet in too deep, locked up the brakes, and got into the back of the No. 26 Ford of Jamie McMurray, who then hit the No. 20 Toyota being driven by Tony Stewart. All three cars had been running in the top five when Harvick, running fifth, attempted to pass Gilliland, who was running fourth, and set off the melee (watch video).
Much to the pleasure of Busch as well as Gilliland, the No. 38 Ford drove right through it all and into second place, where Gilliland remained the rest of the race.
"Everybody makes mistakes sometimes, but when Harvick comes up to me and runs his mouth like he did at Michigan [after an incident in a Craftsman Series truck race last weekend] and says all the stuff he did, he kind of stuck it right back in his mouth here this weekend. That was good to see," Busch said.
Gilliland was just happy to survive the incident and come home with the best finish of his season and his Cup career.
"It looked like Harvick got in there and wheel-hopped a little bit. It was not on purpose. It was just one of those deals," Gilliland said. "Turns 7 and 11 are dangerous, just for that deal. You try to get in as hard as you can, and if you wheel-hop the back tires at all, it's trouble.
"It was close. It was right there in front of me, but we were able to get past it."
Avoiding that kind of trouble was key to Gilliland's strong day, as he ran in the top seven most of the sunny afternoon.
"We never got off the track, we never missed a beat, and our brakes were perfect," Gilliland said. "That's what it takes to do well on a road course: no mistakes."
Gilliland said he hopes to build on it and help his employer, Yates Racing, and a full-time sponsor. The organization has been in search of one all season long.
"To come here and have a good day, we're in a sponsor search right now for a full-time deal, so hopefully this will help. We're just excited about it," Gilliland said. "We had a terrible run last weekend [finishing 27th at Michigan]. This should help us build some momentum. We're going to use this; we're going to build this up.
"We ran strong all day long. We ran in the top six or seven 90 percent of the day, and I'm really proud of that. I'm just really proud, most of all, of Yates Racing and where we've come as a team -- [fellow Yates driver] Travis [Kvapil] and I both -- in the six months from where we ended the year last year. Yates Racing is definitely coming back, and I'm proud to be a part of it."

NASCAR.COM - Gilliland impresses peers with career-best Cup finish - Jun 22, 2008

[Lefty Noob]

He ran an outstanding race. It's only a matter of time till he gets his first win. I'd be surprised if it doesn't happen this year.

[oncea3fan]

I really can't understand why yates can't get full time sponsors, while all these other bottom tier teams get full time sponsors.

I like MWR but ups should have stayed with yates.

[Bob Tanner]

Hurrah for RYR (old habits are hard to break, especially if you don't have the desire to do so)!!!!!

I am happy to say that David and Travis are both making me look like a doofus in my prediction that the Yates' teams were about out the door. I am extremely happy top say I wuz wrong!!"

I( thought it ironic that the ESPN article was reprinted in the local fish wrapper this morning, running with it a picture of David in his M&M's drivers uniform from 2006.

[Quality88]

Good to see it..... Good for Yates.

[RUSTYFAN2]

Very impressive run! I`m glad to see it. They needed the press.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by RUSTYFAN2

Very impressive run! I`m glad to see it. They needed the press.

Hopefully they will get some real sponsors soon with this run.

[clutch]

Heck TY, he impressed me !

I'll bet that Thunderfoot his second biggest fan at out forum was impressed too......although I'm sure not surprised.

Where are you TF? .....laying low buddy..?

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by oncea3fan

I really can't understand why yates can't get full time sponsors, while all these other bottom tier teams get full time sponsors.

I like MWR but ups should have stayed with yates.

Yates doesn't want to be tied up with a second rate sponsor deal. It's halfway through the season and the major sponsors are looking for full year deals for next season.. I bet he has one, if not two, major sponsors signed before the season is over for next season.

UPS went with Jarrett. His UPS, Brown Truck commercials were some of the most successful driver-oriented commercials in TV history.

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by oncea3fan

I really can't understand why yates can't get full time sponsors, while all these other bottom tier teams get full time sponsors.

I like MWR but ups should have stayed with yates.

Good or bad (there will be strong sentiments on both sides), sponsors are going to go with that (people, things, etc.) which results in some form of recognitive response from the viewer. Love, hate, laughter, amazement, wonderment - as long as the response is notable/measureable. Mikey, when compared to Robert and/or Doug Yates is hands down winner(?). And in the "today fan" environment, it has less to do with on track/race day performance then many times in the past. Right, wrong ? -- no judgement/statement being made here. Real? -- bit hard to miss.

Need only look at history here. Folks who are RYR inclined here on GTG show posts and comments in somewhat focused strings. EVERYBODY knows and expresses themselves regarding Mikey, even the RYR inclined, in many/multiple strings. Think the sponsor marketeers miss us or know not of us (GTG)?

We've ("I" for those inclined to worry about the mouse) felt the weight of the/a corporate marketing position for one of the top 2 or 3 in the computer/data processing industry. All day was spent attempting to find the sources of measure for recognition, then leveraging/taking advantage of it.

Anyone feel absolutely sure one of these types (corporate marketeer) has not found GTG, and/or is not currently posting and injecting influence for the purpose of measure here? ---- As may be heard often in traditional NASCAR-land - y"'all go ahead and run with that thought young'un".

[Team Yates]

Originally Posted by oncea3fan

I really can't understand why yates can't get full time sponsors, while all these other bottom tier teams get full time sponsors.

I like MWR but ups should have stayed with yates.

Good things take time!!!

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Hurrah for RYR (old habits are hard to break, especially if you don't have the desire to do so)!!!!!

I am happy to say that David and Travis are both making me look like a doofus in my prediction that the Yates' teams were about out the door. I am extremely happy top say I wuz wrong!!"

I( thought it ironic that the ESPN article was reprinted in the local fish wrapper this morning, running with it a picture of David in his M&M's drivers uniform from 2006.

Bob, I felt in my heart that you really didn't want to give up on them. But then all of a sudden you just seemed to sort of give up hope, I'm by no means gloating, just glad to see that your eyes were "reawakened."

Originally Posted by clutch

Heck TY, he impressed me !



I'll bet that Thunderfoot his second biggest fan at out forum was impressed too......although I'm sure not surprised.

Where are you TF? .....laying low buddy..?

Where you at TF????

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Yates doesn't want to be tied up with a second rate sponsor deal. It's halfway through the season and the major sponsors are looking for full year deals for next season.. I bet he has one, if not two, major sponsors signed before the season is over for next season.

UPS went with Jarrett. His UPS, Brown Truck commercials were some of the most successful driver-oriented commercials in TV history.

I hope that you are right Bob, that he has more sponsors lined up!!!! But hey, "second rate" sponsors are much better than no sponsor!! I for 1 am very proud of Yates racing!! They are showing that they aren't dead!! Maybe not this year (even though I'd like to see it) they will be winning the championship!!!!!

Originally Posted by wingkey1

Good or bad (there will be strong sentiments on both sides), sponsors are going to go with that (people, things, etc.) which results in some form of recognitive response from the viewer. Love, hate, laughter, amazement, wonderment - as long as the response is notable/measureable. Mikey, when compared to Robert and/or Doug Yates is hands down winner(?). And in the "today fan" environment, it has less to do with on track/race day performance then many times in the past. Right, wrong ? -- no judgement/statement being made here. Real? -- bit hard to miss.

Need only look at history here. Folks who are RYR inclined here on GTG show posts and comments in somewhat focused strings. EVERYBODY knows and expresses themselves regarding Mikey, even the RYR inclined, in many/multiple strings. Think the sponsor marketeers miss us or know not of us (GTG)?

We've ("I" for those inclined to worry about the mouse) felt the weight of the/a corporate marketing position for one of the top 2 or 3 in the computer/data processing industry. All day was spent attempting to find the sources of measure for recognition, then leveraging/taking advantage of it.

Anyone feel absolutely sure one of these types (corporate marketeer) has not found GTG, and/or is not currently posting and injecting influence for the purpose of measure here? ---- As may be heard often in traditional NASCAR-land - y"'all go ahead and run with that thought young'un".

I hope that you are right Wing and I'm sure that you are right, all I have to do is go back to the Miles the Monster thread and see what took place. I was thrilled but shocked to see that Dover was viewing our thread. Top people at Dover found us, joined and posted. Always it still always is a: it takes capital to make capital world!! Good things take time. And is Anybody really listening? Maybe with the empty stands they will, but they will probably chalk it off to the drivers "biotching"!! Instead of the pi$$ poor shape of the economy and the fact that they changed it so completely from what it started out as that people don't want to anymore!!

HMS has a "full stable" of caliber drivers that only one has won once his year. The way I think, they have the "best" drivers and Yates has two "rookies" without fulltime sponsors and are producing "better finishes" weekly than the big money teams!!

GO YATES RACING GO!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Team Yates

I hope that you are right Bob, that he has more sponsors lined up!!!! But hey, "second rate" sponsors are much better than no sponsor!! I for 1 am very proud of Yates racing!! They are showing that they aren't dead!! Maybe not this year (even though I'd like to see it) they will be winning the championship!!!!!

Re: Your "second rate sponsor" statement. Not necessarily so. Here is what I am talking about:
Yates needs money, like yesterday! We all know that, right? Let's say someone like self-made millionaire Bubba Goldstein, who owns an auction house in Bucksnort, TN, (yes, there actually is a Bucksnort, TN!), offers Doug $10 million a year to advertise his auction house and his bait and tackle shop exclusively for the next two years. Yates Racing needs the cash and $10 mil looks awfully good.
But Kvapil and Gilliland start to really perform. Now, DHL (competitor of UPS and FedEX) is impressed and comes to Yates with an offer of $20 million plus per year. Yates is contractually unable to do so and tells DHL, "I'd love to but Bubba Goldstein's Auction Emporium and Bait and Tackle has to remain on my cars for a year.

I think Yates is very aware of scenario's such as this and is playing his hand accordingly.

But, that's just supposition on my part and I could be very, very wrong...

[BiscuitMan]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Re: Your "second rate sponsor" statement. Not necessarily so. Here is what I am talking about:
Yates needs money, like yesterday! We all know that, right? Let's say someone like self-made millionaire Bubba Goldstein, who owns an auction house in Bucksnort, TN, (yes, there actually is a Bucksnort, TN!), offers Doug $10 million a year to advertise his auction house and his bait and tackle shop exclusively for the next two years. Yates Racing needs the cash and $10 mil looks awfully good.
But Kvapil and Gilliland start to really perform. Now, DHL (competitor of UPS and FedEX) is impressed and comes to Yates with an offer of $20 million plus per year. Yates is contractually unable to do so and tells DHL, "I'd love to but Bubba Goldstein's Auction Emporium and Bait and Tackle has to remain on my cars for a year.

I think Yates is very aware of scenario's such as this and is playing his hand accordingly.

But, that's just supposition on my part and I could be very, very wrong...

This is a no brainer, Bob.

Yates should tell DHL, "We're planning a third team that will be the No. 58 car and we'll have one of these hot shot drivers like Ryan Newman, Casey Mears or Martin Truex Jr. in the car. Just put the check in the mail"

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by BiscuitMan

This is a no brainer, Bob.

Yates should tell DHL, "We're planning a third team that will be the No. 58 car and we'll have one of these hot shot drivers like Ryan Newman, Casey Mears or Martin Truex Jr. in the car. Just put the check in the mail"

...and if said drivers aren't available, have personal contract with a given car maker, just don't want to work for Yates, etc., etc.? What if DHL refuses to be associated with 'Ol Bubba and his Sale Barn/Fish Bairt Emporium?

I'd say his taking a "second rate" sponsor could throw a massive monkey wrench in his future. It's happened before.

IF my first scenario doesn't work for you, how about this one:

Same figures involved but instead of Bubba, let's say Morgan Shepherd mysteriously comes up with $10 mil for the remainder of this season and next. Then let's say... Chivis Regal comes up with the same deal I stated with DHL.

How would the Yates Racing for Jesus Ford feel about sharing garage space with the Chivis Regal Ford? See my point?

I still think Yates is wise by holding our for something good, IF that actuallt be the case.

[BiscuitMan]

Certainly there may be a conflict with Morgan Shepard's Racing for Jesus Ford and the Chivas Regal Ford in the same garage. In some situations you just have to "let a good deal pass".

I believe Yates Racing has its sponsorships for 2009. If no, they are very close. There's no reason to make the announcements now. When the time is right, I believe Yates and their sponsors will make a big splash announcement.

Ford has come along with sponsorships for their cars at some races to help them out this year. This probably help pay all the overhead.

Their FreeCreditReport.com sponsorship has to be a last chance for 2008. As most people know FreeCreditReport.com is a ripoff. The FTC requires credit companys to provide one free credit report annually. They charge $12.95 per month. Yates could get caught up in all the FreeCreditReport.com bad press. People consider who you associate with as a basis of assessing your character. I would advise Yates to steer clear of these guys.