Gillett Evernham putting Allmendinger in Sadler's No. 19 Dodge

kelloggs5TLfan

kelloggs5TLfan

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By Marty Smith
ESPN.com
http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/news/story?id=3795001

Allmendinger is set to replace Elliott Sadler in the No. 19 Dodge in 2009, multiple Gillett Evernham Motorsports team sources told ESPN.com on Saturday.

GEM CEO Tom Reddin told team employees and sponsors the news just before Christmas, causing some sponsors to consider leaving, according to team sources.

Reached for comment Saturday, GEM spokesman Drew Brown chose not to comment.

Sources also said Ray Evernham, who founded the team and sold majority ownership to George Gillett, cleared out all personal possessions from the team's shop, including the 2002 Brickyard 400 trophy he won as owner of Bill Elliott's No. 9 Dodge.

Calls placed to Evernham and Sadler's representation were not immediately returned.

GEM announced earlier this month that it would scale back its Nationwide Series program next season by laying off about 65 employees and having the No. 9 Dodge run a partial schedule in the second-tier NASCAR series.

The team continues to field three Sprint Cup Series teams for Kasey Kahne, Reed Sorenson and now Allmendinger.

GEM lost sponsor Unilever to JR Motorsports at the end of the season and doesn't have enough sponsorship in place to run the full Nationwide schedule.

Allmendinger was released by Red Bull Racing late in the 2008 season.

Marty Smith covers NASCAR for ESPN.com.
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I've always liked Elliott, but he has never been a consistant threat on the circuit. He has that personality trait that is similar to Mike Waltrip and Kenny Wallace and will no doubt find something in NASCAR.
 
I think some of you owe me an apology
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I hope he can find a decent ride. I agree, he has never been consistent.


One thing I would like to add is he sure was not loyal to Yates Racing. Maybe this is Karma.
 
Sorry for Elliott but hopefully he will find a ride somewhere. I like the GEM drivers, now to see if the cars and crew can be competitive and consistent.
 
I like both AJ and Elliot so im pretty torn, about this.

I think Elliot might be suited better in the Nationwide Series. He would have a much better chance of winning there.
 
AndyMarquisLIVE said:
Why isn't this a big shock? :eek:

Oh... because I told everyone about this more than a month ago. -_-

And I was told I was "blowing smoke".
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Remember folks...

I've got people.
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Anyone doubt the credibility of my people?
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Hmmm... could it be that most of us are adults and not so easily impressed? Maybe bragging to a teen audience might get you more kudos? ;)

And yes, A.J. did finish well for GEM so it's not a big surprise. Hopefully, Elliott will find something, but I agree, he's a nice guy, but not consistent nor a big contender. He might well do a lot better in Nationwide.
 
Personally I think the trucks would offer a lot more fun and satisfaction (achievement) for Elliott. Nationwide is dominated by cuppers and I don't see that changing. In the trucks at least he could actually compete on a more level playing field. A good ride in a fair series is better than a bad ride in a higher series IMO. Get his spirit re-charged, have some fun, win some races and just maybe come back to cup later as a better racer.
 
SlowNeasy said:
Personally I think the trucks would offer a lot more fun and satisfaction (achievement) for Elliott. Nationwide is dominated by cuppers and I don't see that changing. In the trucks at least he could actually compete on a more level playing field. A good ride in a fair series is better than a bad ride in a higher series IMO. Get his spirit re-charged, have some fun, win some races and just maybe come back to cup later as a better racer.
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I think if Elliot were to go to trucks and do well the chance of a Cup ride still would be slim. The potential was there, but never seemed to materialize, I equate Elliots' career along the lines of a Johnny Bensons'. Nice guy, decent racer, but never really broke through in Cup to become a star.
 
That 19 ride is starting to look like a curse. look at the last two guys that have been in there now. We will see if this one ends as messy as the last one.
 
I don't see what the big deal is about AJ. He seems like another driver that can drive the wheels off, but doesn't know how to race.
 
Allmendinger tabbed to drive No. 19 for GEM: AJ Allmendinger will continue his quest in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Allmendinger will take over for Elliott Sadler behind the wheel of the No. 19 Dodge at Gillett Evernham Motorsports next season. Despite GEM extending Elliott Sadler's contract earlier this year, Allmendinger proved over the last five races of the season that he was better suited for the ride. Allmendinger, 27, outran Sadler with an average finish of 16.4 behind the wheel of GEM equipment compared to the veteran's finish of 31.8. Sadler's possibilities are rumored to include the No. 41 Chevrolet at Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing or the No. 77 Dodge at Penske Racing should Sam Hornish Jr. replace Helio Castroneves in the IRL IndyCar Series. - FOXSports.com



Easy to see why Sadler was pulled.

Moving down to the trucks for a veteran cup driver is like putting Grandma in a nursing home. They're not coming back.
 
Elliott was surprised and thought his NASCAR career was over just before he was tabbed to drive the Wood Brother's #21. Elliott is a so-so driver at best, but his personality will allow him to stay in NASCAR for a long time, similar to Kenny Wallace. And yer right about going down to the trucks. The truck series is for those very new drivers and those who have been in Cup rides and let go.
 
Yea, last year I played in a fantasy league......just a pick'em deal really. I regretted every time I picked Sadler. He's got the great personality, and the accent that makes him hard to dis-like. But I think he's done just about all he's gonna do in this sport.
The money isn't too good in trucks either. I heard Johnny Benson Talking about it, and saying he could make more money part time in the Cup Series.
 
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