Sauter sees new duties as chance to learn

CONCORD, N.C. -- Back in January, when Johnny Sauter was introduced to the media during a barbecue and macaroni gathering at Richard Childress Racing, the young driver exuded confidence with every action and every word.

	Johnny Sauter will share the No. 21 Busch Series ride with Kevin Harvick next year. Credit: Autostock

Ten-win seasons have that effect on a guy.

Sauter was fresh off the most dominant campaign in American Speed Association history, winning the championship going away. He could seemingly do no wrong, and was stepping into the seat vacated by Busch Series champion Kevin Harvick.

He had every right to be confident.

But these days, the swagger isn't so pronounced. Despite a victory at Chicagoland Speedway and two top-five finishes, his rookie season in the ACDelco Chevrolet hasn't played out as he'd hoped.

Six DNF's -- including a wild, upside-down flight at Talladega - have eliminated him from top-10 points contention. At the beginning of the year, he expected no less than three to five wins, and had every intention of contending for the title.

So, in an attempt to regain past form and rebuild confidence, he'll hand the No. 2 Chevrolet over to Ron Hornaday in 2003 and share the No. 21 ride with Kevin Harvick.

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Sauter doesn't deem it a demotion, more a necessary step to furthering his promising career.

"I'm going to run the non-companion events, and obviously, this season I tried to run for Rookie of the Year and felt like maybe I made the step a little too soon," Sauter said.

"But I'm really excited to be involved with Richard Childress next year and obviously to get to work with Kevin and Ron Hornaday. I want take a step back and try to get an education and try to make myself a lot better race car driver. I feel like this is the opportunity I need."

Sauter will drive the No. 21 Chevy in 19 events while Harvick will drive for 15.

"Obviously the season didn't go the way we anticipated it would. I had a lot higher expectations and so did everybody at Richard Childress and ACDelco," said Sauter, 24.

	Johnny Sauter (left) and Kevin Harvick show off the No. 21 PayDay Chevrolet that they will share next season in the Busch Series. Credit: Autostock

"For me to be able to, not take a step back, but just kind of get back (behind) the scenes a little bit and be able to test a lot more and test with Kevin and sit on the pit box and kind of follow his lead and his instruction will be a lot better for me in the long run. I'm looking forward to it."

Sauter plans to race in other series to supplement his time in the No. 21, namely ASA and the REMAX Challenge Series.

"I went home and raced this last weekend and realized how fun short track racing is, and I really believe it can help me," Sauter said. "I don't plan on staying idle for very long.

"Pretty much, I just want to go and race my ass off -- whatever I can get in and race that's going to be decent equipment is what I'm going to do. At least that's what I set out to do."