Elliott Sadler and new crew chief Tommy Baldwin talk some things over at Daytona. Credit: Don Bok/Motorsports Images and Archive

Sadler: New crew chief is breath of fresh air

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- There's a new face atop the No. 38 team's pit box these days and so far, Elliott Sadler couldn't be happier.

Since Tommy Baldwin made the switch from Kasey Kahne's No. 9 team to Sadler's bunch, Sadler says he feels like everything -- not just his crew chief -- is new for 2006.

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"I don't feel like we've got the same mentality, the same chemistry, the same team -- anything," Sadler said Monday at Preseason Thunder. "It's just a whole new outlook on racing."

That's refreshing territory for Sadler, who had an underachieving year in 2005. After making the inaugural Chase for the Nextel Cup in 2004, Sadler fell off the edge of the earth from midsummer on before ending up 13th.

Baldwin had a similar experience with Kahne in 2005. Even though Kahne got his first career win at Richmond in May, the No. 9 team endured a 23rd-place finish in the series points with an average finish of 21.8.

For Sadler, '05 is a distant memory.

"Last year, to me, seems like 10 years ago," Sadler said. "I'm not really thinking about it because so many things have changed this winter at Robert Yates Racing.

"So, we're excited, just like every other team because we're all tight at the moment, to come into Daytona and really get off to a good start and put our best foot forward. I've been very impressed with my team, how hard they've worked this winter, and going to the shop and seeing all the cars we have lined up, and the organization.

"Our team is so organized right now, it's unbelievable, and I can't wait to feel the effects of that, and I think that'll help us in the long run more this year."

Sadler, who spent the offseason hunting and hanging out with his buddies, looked decidedly scruffy at Daytona but trim and fit due to a dictate from Baldwin.

"My new crew chief made a deal with me that he wanted me at 200 pounds when I came here for the Daytona 500," he said, "and I was 212 pounds when I left Homestead -- and I've already lost 11 pounds."

Sadler said his start with Baldwin was akin to Kahne's rookie season of 2004, when he had a commendable first year with five second places and four Bud Poles.

"As far as Tommy and I, we've had a great relationship so far," Sadler said. "He's a very determined, very focused person -- and very open.

"He's just like me, I think. I feel like I'm looking at myself in the mirror when talking to him, because he doesn't mind telling you what's on his mind and kind of the plan that he wants to do, and I'm the same way -- so, we've kind of hit it off pretty good.

"I love his ideas and I love his enthusiasm. He feels like he has a lot to prove, and I feel like I've got a lot to prove, and we're very determined to make the Chase this year, and whatever it takes.

"He's very organized. The guys have fallen in love with him, and that means a lot to me."