|
Jarrett's struggles in 2003 have fueled speculation about his future with the team, but the former Winston Cup champion said he intends to ride out the storm with Yates.
"I'm not going anywhere, haven't even discussed going anywhere with anybody, and I don't really know how these things get started," Jarrett said Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"I look at it as being unfortunate that maybe it's human nature that as people struggle they get kicked while they're down and others try to help that scenario, if you will, by starting things that they don't know anything about.
 |
|
 |
|
| Jarrett has driven full-time for RYR since 1995. Credit: Autostock |
|
"Robert has no intentions of selling the race team. We have a deal with UPS that we fully intend on living up to and honoring. ... We're not happy with our performance. We expect to get that back to a level that everyone is happy with.
"I have no intention of leaving, I'm not a quitter, never have been, and I fully intend on being there as this team works its way back to the front and to the top of this sport."
Jarrett's contract with Yates lasts through the end of 2004, and he and the car owner have agreed to an extension, but it hasn't been signed. Jarrett said that's not a priority yet, however. The main concern is getting the team more competitive.
"I have a contract through next year," Jarrett said. "We've agreed on 2005 and '06 in principle. It's just something that hasn't ever been a priority with Robert Yates and myself, that we have to have a piece of paper to say what we're going to do.
"Because, we've seen all over the country that a piece of paper doesn't really mean a lot, it's what's in your heart. And Robert Yates and Doug Yates and myself have sat down and said, 'We're going to do this together. We're in this together.'
"We were there together when we got ourselves in this hole, and we're going to continue to be together as we fight our way out of it."
Jarrett, who won earlier this season, is 27th in the Winston Cup points standings. He's on his third crew chief of the season and has only five top-10 finishes in 2003.
|
