Post by dalejrfan on Aug 1, 2006 15:11:35 GMT -5
The exodus from Robert Yates Racing continued Monday as the crew chiefs of its two Nextel Cup Series teams became the latest to leave the organization.
Richard "Slugger" Labbe, crew chief for driver Dale Jarrett and the No. 88 Ford, and Tommy Baldwin, crew chief for driver Elliott Sadler's No. 38 Ford, have both departed, getting a head-start on their respective drivers, who will also not return next season.
Yates appears to be on the verge of some good news, however.
The team is expected to announce the hiring of Busch Series rookie David Gilliland during a news conference in Indianapolis on Friday, sources confirmed. The Charlotte Observer reported July 22 that Gilliland had been extended an offer from Yates to drive the No. 38 Fords.
In an apparently related move, Gilliland's current part-time Busch team, Clay Andrews Racing, announced Monday it was closing its doors.
Without referring directly to Gilliland's anticipated departure, owner Clay Andrews said, "We put our heart, soul and resources into David Gilliland. Personally and financially, we do not feel it is best to move forward at this time."
Gilliland, 30, was a surprise winner in the Busch race at Kentucky on June 17, in just his seventh series start.
Sadler recently asked for and was granted a release from his contract and is expected to drive for another Cup team, possibly Evernham Motorsports, next season.
Jarrett announced earlier this summer he would not return in 2007 and is going to drive a Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing next season.
Butch Hylton will serve as interim crew chief of the No. 88, while Cully Barraclough will take the same position with the No. 38, both effective this weekend at Indianapolis.
Only hours after his announced departure from Yates, Baldwin was named competition director of the Cup teams of Bill Davis Racing, where Baldwin has worked before with driver Ward Burton. Baldwin is expected to oversee the organization's move to Toyota in 2007.
"Tommy is extremely qualified and driven to succeed, and we can't think of anyone who would do a better job working with the other Toyota team competition directors to make sure the program gets off on the right foot," owner Bill Davis said.
Labbe is likely to land back at Dale Earnhardt Inc. or with the new Team Red Bull, which debuts with two Toyota Cup teams next season, sources said.
Richard "Slugger" Labbe, crew chief for driver Dale Jarrett and the No. 88 Ford, and Tommy Baldwin, crew chief for driver Elliott Sadler's No. 38 Ford, have both departed, getting a head-start on their respective drivers, who will also not return next season.
Yates appears to be on the verge of some good news, however.
The team is expected to announce the hiring of Busch Series rookie David Gilliland during a news conference in Indianapolis on Friday, sources confirmed. The Charlotte Observer reported July 22 that Gilliland had been extended an offer from Yates to drive the No. 38 Fords.
In an apparently related move, Gilliland's current part-time Busch team, Clay Andrews Racing, announced Monday it was closing its doors.
Without referring directly to Gilliland's anticipated departure, owner Clay Andrews said, "We put our heart, soul and resources into David Gilliland. Personally and financially, we do not feel it is best to move forward at this time."
Gilliland, 30, was a surprise winner in the Busch race at Kentucky on June 17, in just his seventh series start.
Sadler recently asked for and was granted a release from his contract and is expected to drive for another Cup team, possibly Evernham Motorsports, next season.
Jarrett announced earlier this summer he would not return in 2007 and is going to drive a Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing next season.
Butch Hylton will serve as interim crew chief of the No. 88, while Cully Barraclough will take the same position with the No. 38, both effective this weekend at Indianapolis.
Only hours after his announced departure from Yates, Baldwin was named competition director of the Cup teams of Bill Davis Racing, where Baldwin has worked before with driver Ward Burton. Baldwin is expected to oversee the organization's move to Toyota in 2007.
"Tommy is extremely qualified and driven to succeed, and we can't think of anyone who would do a better job working with the other Toyota team competition directors to make sure the program gets off on the right foot," owner Bill Davis said.
Labbe is likely to land back at Dale Earnhardt Inc. or with the new Team Red Bull, which debuts with two Toyota Cup teams next season, sources said.