David Gilliland has seven starts this season in the Busch Series. Credit: Autostock

Gilliland signs with Yates for one-race Busch deal

Part-timer to drive RYR's No. 90 Ford at O'Reilly Raceway Park

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Robert Yates Racing has announced that David Gilliland has been signed to a one-race deal to pilot the No. 90 Ford in the Busch Series race on Aug. 5 at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis.

Elliott Sadler, Stephen Leicht and Matt McCall have driven the No. 90 Busch car this year. Credit: Autostock

Inside the Numbers Gilliland's 2007 results in his seven Busch races Race Start Finish Status Las Vegas 43 39 engine Texas 11 29 running Phoenix 31 33 crash Richmond 35 30 running Kentucky 4 1 running Chicago 8 26 running Martinsville 27 36 crash YATES RACING HEADLINES •   Gilliland closer to 2007 Nextel Cup ride, possibly with Yates •   Yates not giving up faith after team's departures •   Sadler leaving Robert Yates Racing at end of year •   Smithson: Sadler made right call by leaving Robert Yates Meijer 300Watch David Gilliland earn his first victory at Kentucky Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

Robert Yates Racing selected Gilliland to substitute for driver Stephen Leicht, who will attempt to become the youngest driver to qualify for the Allstate 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Aug. 6.

The move fuels speculation that Gilliland could be in line for one of Yates' two Cup Series rides next season.

Yates' current drivers, Dale Jarrett and Elliott Sadler, have both announced they will leave the team at the end of 2006.

Yates confirmed last week with NASCAR.COM that Stephen Leicht, who ran his first Cup race at Pocono, is in line for one of his rides. He said Ward Burton, who has been away from the sport for almost two years, is a candidate for the other.

RYR co-owner Doug Yates acknowledged discussions with Gilliland, who was at Pocono Raceway for Sunday's Cup race. He said Gilliland likely would be a candidate for Sadler's M&M's-sponsored ride.

"He's a hot item," Doug Yates said of Gilliland, whose stock jumped last month at Kentucky when he became the first non-Cup driver to win a Busch race this season. "How can you not look at him? Whoever gets him will be a lucky organization."

Gilliland, 30, has nine Busch Series starts and qualified for the Nextel Cup race at Infineon June 25, where he finished 32nd.

Gilliland confirmed last week he has spoken with multiple team owners about his future, including Jack Roush and Richard Childress, both of which would like to put him in a Busch car in 2007. Gilliland said being one of the top drivers for a Cup team at Yates is more attractive at his age.

Gilliland said he would like to drive full time in the Busch and Cup Series in '07.

"It's an exciting time," Gilliland said last weekend at Pocono while standing in front of the No. 38 hauler. "Lots of opportunities. I'm weighing what's out there and we'll see what works out best."