Yates to retire, hand team to son at end of season
Kvapil to take over No. 88 Ford for retiring Rudd in 2008
By Dave Rodman, NASCAR.COM
September 7, 2007
09:53 PM EDT
type size: + -RICHMOND, Va. -- Friday morning at Richmond International Raceway, NASCAR team co-owner Doug Yates said the Yates Newman Haas Lanigan Racing team had settled on its 2008 driver for the organization's No. 88 Ford.
By sunset Friday evening, team owner Yates had dropped the news that next season -- actually effective Dec. 1 of this year -- his solely-owned Yates Racing operation would field two Sprint Cup Series Ford teams, with drivers David Gilliland, who currently drives the team's No. 38 Fusion and Travis Kvapil in the second car.
"By the 2008 Daytona 500, Yates Racing wants to be in an elevated position where we are competing successfully against any race team in the sport."
Doug YatesNeither the cars' numbers nor sponsors were included in the announcement, which did indicate the owner points' positions the Nos. 38 and 88 earned this season would remain with the two Yates Racing cars.
And sponsorship remains the biggest issue for the team, as current backer Masterfoods, through its M&M's and Snickers brands, might not return in 2008.
"Once again, we're looking and we've got some things that we feel pretty good about, but sponsorship is probably highest on the list [of priorities] right now," Yates said. "[Masterfoods] is still in the mix. The Mars family has been incredibly gracious to Robert Yates Racing and we'd love to have them here longer, and we don't know if that's going to happen or not.
"But we'd like to and hopefully we can present something to them where they're interested in us."
In making the announcement, Yates also repudiated the mid-summer partnership by which he and his father, Robert Yates, had joined Robert Yates Racing with the Champ Car World Series' Newman Haas Lanigan Racing operation; in effect replacing it with a more comprehensive support deal with Roush Fenway Racing.
"With this announcement it's clear that the letter of intent with Newman Haas Lanigan Racing will not proceed," said Doug Yates, who's the designated CEO of the new team. "We're thankful for their support and would welcome the opportunity to work with them in the future."
Finally, the elder Yates, who launched RYR in 1989 with a two-victory season with driver Davey Allison, after purchasing the team from Harry Ranier, announced he would retire as president of the company at the end of this season; ending a career in which his team won 57 Cup races, 48 poles and the 1999 championship with driver Dale Jarrett.
In his announcement Robert Yates said "certain facets of Robert Yates Racing are being transferred to a new company presided over by Doug Yates. Robert Yates Racing will continue with its joint ownership of Roush Yates Racing Engines as well as other ventures."
Friday morning Doug Yates had said the engineering and sponsorship goals of the new partnership were a long-term proposition. Robert Yates was more definitive by the evening.
"As many of you know I announced at the Brickyard, earlier this year, my decision to enter into a partnership with Newman Haas Lanigan Racing," Robert Yates said. "The goal of this partnership was to build a team to contend for the championship. The more I thought about it the more I realized instead this was the perfect opportunity for me to pass the torch to the next generation.
"I don't know how to express my gratitude to the Newman Haas Lanigan group for their support and belief we could get to the top. I'm closing this chapter of my life, and I cannot wait to see what is in store for me next. Carolyn [Yates, his wife] and I look forward to watching Doug build Yates Racing into a championship caliber team."
Robert's son Doug is excited about the opportunity to carry on his father's team.
"I am very excited to carry the Yates Racing heritage into the future," he said. "I believe I have the experience and understanding of the competition and business requirements that are necessary to be an effective team owner.
"My first order of business is to revamp our infrastructure into one that can field race teams that can compete successfully with the pre-eminent teams in the sport. I personally think the best business and competitive model in the sport to emulate for long-term success is that of Jack Roush and Roush Fenway Racing.
"By the 2008 Daytona 500, Yates Racing wants to be in an elevated position where we are competing successfully against any race team in the sport. With David, Travis and Roush Fenway Racing, we will continue to work on finding the right sponsor partners to join our programs."
The announcement concluded by saying "neither Jack Roush, Roush Fenway Racing, John Henry or Fenway Sports Group will have any ownership interest in Yates Racing."
The announcement was issued by e-mail just before 7:30 p.m. ET, but driver Kenny Wallace, who was in the Yates No. 88 hauler at the time watching the end of Bud Pole Qualifying, apparently didn't know about it.
Wallace said he's scheduled to test the No. 88 Car of Tomorrow at Talladega Superspeedway on Monday and Tuesday of next week, but he didn't know about his status for next weekend at New Hampshire, if Rudd is unable to go.
Kvapil, who currently drives a Craftsman Truck Series entry for Roush Fenway Racing, would be available as the Truck Series also races at New Hampshire next weekend.
Robert Yates Racing also fields the No. 90 Ford Fusion driven by Stephen Leicht in the Busch Series, but that car's future was not addressed in Yates' release.
Dan Davis, director, Ford Racing Technology said he understood the Yates family's decision to go with a more familiar partner.
"Certainly, we're disappointed that the partnership with Newman Haas Lanigan did not proceed as was originally planned, but the door is still open for joint efforts in the future," Davis said. "Philosophically, the partnership with Newman Haas Lanigan had merit, however there's no question that partnering with Roush Fenway Racing will provide more immediate technical and operating support, leading to improved on-track performance.
"Bringing these programs together, much like the engine program will have near and long-term operational benefits, and we will realize further efficiencies in our overall Ford NASCAR program."
Kvapil to take over No. 88 Ford for retiring Rudd in 2008
By Dave Rodman, NASCAR.COM
September 7, 2007
09:53 PM EDT
type size: + -RICHMOND, Va. -- Friday morning at Richmond International Raceway, NASCAR team co-owner Doug Yates said the Yates Newman Haas Lanigan Racing team had settled on its 2008 driver for the organization's No. 88 Ford.
By sunset Friday evening, team owner Yates had dropped the news that next season -- actually effective Dec. 1 of this year -- his solely-owned Yates Racing operation would field two Sprint Cup Series Ford teams, with drivers David Gilliland, who currently drives the team's No. 38 Fusion and Travis Kvapil in the second car.
"By the 2008 Daytona 500, Yates Racing wants to be in an elevated position where we are competing successfully against any race team in the sport."
Doug YatesNeither the cars' numbers nor sponsors were included in the announcement, which did indicate the owner points' positions the Nos. 38 and 88 earned this season would remain with the two Yates Racing cars.
And sponsorship remains the biggest issue for the team, as current backer Masterfoods, through its M&M's and Snickers brands, might not return in 2008.
"Once again, we're looking and we've got some things that we feel pretty good about, but sponsorship is probably highest on the list [of priorities] right now," Yates said. "[Masterfoods] is still in the mix. The Mars family has been incredibly gracious to Robert Yates Racing and we'd love to have them here longer, and we don't know if that's going to happen or not.
"But we'd like to and hopefully we can present something to them where they're interested in us."
In making the announcement, Yates also repudiated the mid-summer partnership by which he and his father, Robert Yates, had joined Robert Yates Racing with the Champ Car World Series' Newman Haas Lanigan Racing operation; in effect replacing it with a more comprehensive support deal with Roush Fenway Racing.
"With this announcement it's clear that the letter of intent with Newman Haas Lanigan Racing will not proceed," said Doug Yates, who's the designated CEO of the new team. "We're thankful for their support and would welcome the opportunity to work with them in the future."
Finally, the elder Yates, who launched RYR in 1989 with a two-victory season with driver Davey Allison, after purchasing the team from Harry Ranier, announced he would retire as president of the company at the end of this season; ending a career in which his team won 57 Cup races, 48 poles and the 1999 championship with driver Dale Jarrett.
In his announcement Robert Yates said "certain facets of Robert Yates Racing are being transferred to a new company presided over by Doug Yates. Robert Yates Racing will continue with its joint ownership of Roush Yates Racing Engines as well as other ventures."
Friday morning Doug Yates had said the engineering and sponsorship goals of the new partnership were a long-term proposition. Robert Yates was more definitive by the evening.
"As many of you know I announced at the Brickyard, earlier this year, my decision to enter into a partnership with Newman Haas Lanigan Racing," Robert Yates said. "The goal of this partnership was to build a team to contend for the championship. The more I thought about it the more I realized instead this was the perfect opportunity for me to pass the torch to the next generation.
"I don't know how to express my gratitude to the Newman Haas Lanigan group for their support and belief we could get to the top. I'm closing this chapter of my life, and I cannot wait to see what is in store for me next. Carolyn [Yates, his wife] and I look forward to watching Doug build Yates Racing into a championship caliber team."
Robert's son Doug is excited about the opportunity to carry on his father's team.
"I am very excited to carry the Yates Racing heritage into the future," he said. "I believe I have the experience and understanding of the competition and business requirements that are necessary to be an effective team owner.
"My first order of business is to revamp our infrastructure into one that can field race teams that can compete successfully with the pre-eminent teams in the sport. I personally think the best business and competitive model in the sport to emulate for long-term success is that of Jack Roush and Roush Fenway Racing.
"By the 2008 Daytona 500, Yates Racing wants to be in an elevated position where we are competing successfully against any race team in the sport. With David, Travis and Roush Fenway Racing, we will continue to work on finding the right sponsor partners to join our programs."
The announcement concluded by saying "neither Jack Roush, Roush Fenway Racing, John Henry or Fenway Sports Group will have any ownership interest in Yates Racing."
The announcement was issued by e-mail just before 7:30 p.m. ET, but driver Kenny Wallace, who was in the Yates No. 88 hauler at the time watching the end of Bud Pole Qualifying, apparently didn't know about it.
Wallace said he's scheduled to test the No. 88 Car of Tomorrow at Talladega Superspeedway on Monday and Tuesday of next week, but he didn't know about his status for next weekend at New Hampshire, if Rudd is unable to go.
Kvapil, who currently drives a Craftsman Truck Series entry for Roush Fenway Racing, would be available as the Truck Series also races at New Hampshire next weekend.
Robert Yates Racing also fields the No. 90 Ford Fusion driven by Stephen Leicht in the Busch Series, but that car's future was not addressed in Yates' release.
Dan Davis, director, Ford Racing Technology said he understood the Yates family's decision to go with a more familiar partner.
"Certainly, we're disappointed that the partnership with Newman Haas Lanigan did not proceed as was originally planned, but the door is still open for joint efforts in the future," Davis said. "Philosophically, the partnership with Newman Haas Lanigan had merit, however there's no question that partnering with Roush Fenway Racing will provide more immediate technical and operating support, leading to improved on-track performance.
"Bringing these programs together, much like the engine program will have near and long-term operational benefits, and we will realize further efficiencies in our overall Ford NASCAR program."