UPS will sponsor Dale Jarrett's Toyota in 2007. Credit: Autostock

UPS to follow Jarrett to Toyota team in 2007

JOLIET, Ill. -- UPS will leave Robert Yates Racing and move its sponsorship to Michael Waltrip Racing, company officials said Friday at Chicagoland Speedway.

UPS has been in the sport since 2001 with Robert Yates Racing with driver Dale Jarrett. Jarrett announced at Darlington in May that he was leaving RYR for Michael Waltrip Racing.

	JARRETT TO TOYOTA When Michael Waltrip went shopping for a driver for his Toyota-backed program in 2007, he looked at the list of those who would be contractually available.  His search stopped when he found that Dale Jarrett was willing to talk.  •   Complete story,  click here

The company said that it considered re-signing with Robert Yates Racing. UPS's defection leaves RYR scrambling to find a sponsor for its No. 88 Ford for 2007.

In less than a year, team owner Michael Waltrip has transformed his facility into a fully-sponsored, Toyota-backed operation with three Nextel Cup teams. Waltrip's outfit is also working closely with another Toyota team, Red Bull Racing, in developing the 2007 Camry.

"We will work together and test together and have a test team that is shared between the two of us," Waltrip said. "In our shop, we are doing the work and getting ready to go. Having the resources to buy everything we need is huge. It takes a lot of money.

"We went to Toyota and said, 'We want three teams if we can pull it off.' We expect to be able to perform at the top. That is just our expectation."

Jarrett says Friday's announcement lightens his load considerably.

"I have become synonymous with UPS and that is a good thing," said Jarrett. "This is the way I would want to end my career. This does make the transition easier."

The team did not announce a number for Jarrett. Waltrip said he would announce a driver for his third team within a month.

"I am a competitor," Jarrett said. "I know no other way than to drive 100 percent. That 88 car right now is my focus at the racetrack.

"We made a commitment to do well and that is what I want to do. We can look ahead and do the job we have to do right now and that is what we are doing."

Not surprisingly, Jarrett's current team owner Robert Yates said Friday's announcement is a blow to his organization.

"You could sit in the grandstands and make that observation," Yates said. "Did we want that? No. That's what we have and that's what we have to deal with."

Still, he understands UPS' position.

"Absolutely, no hard feelings with UPS," Yates said. "They're a great company. I don't have any ill feelings at all. It's like when I was selling Havoline oil, I sort of felt like I was part of the deal. What there deal is about is Dale Jarrett. That happens. I'm not bitter about UPS's company at all.

"They knew what they needed to do, and they had every right to. That's all I really want to comment today about. I need time to think about this thing."

David Newton contributed to this report.