Elliott Sadler earned two of his three victories while driving at Robert Yates Racing. Credit: Autostock

Sadler to part ways with Robert Yates Racing

Driver granted release but will finish 2006 season with team

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Robert Yates Racing announced Thursday that driver Elliott Sadler has requested and been granted a release from his contract to take effect at the conclusion of the 2006 season.

NASCAR.COM's Marty Smith said Tuesday that Sadler was mum on his future, but multiple sources confirmed that Sadler is moving to Ray Evernham Motorsports to drive the No. 19 Dodge.

Inside the Numbers Elliott Sadler's stats since joining Robert Yates Racing in 2003 Starts 127 Wins 2 Top-5s 12 Top-10s 39 Poles 7 Avg. Start 14.6 Avg. Finish 19.3 • For complete statistics, click here NASCAR TodaySadler is out at Robert Yates Racing at season's end Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

"We would like to thank Elliott for his commitment to our organization over the past four seasons and for all the success we've enjoyed together," Robert Yates said.

"We are excited about the opportunity to find a new driver who will continue the successful run of the No. 38 Ford as we maintain our focus on the future of our organization."

RYR has already started searching for a driver to take over the No. 38 Ford Fusion for 2007. The team also is looking for another driver because Dale Jarrett is leaving the No. 88 car to join Michael Waltrip Racing.

Ward Burton and Stephen Leicht have been mentioned as potential replacements at RYR.

"Our objective this year is to finish the season on a strong note," Doug Yates said. "It is our goal to continue to build this team so we will be better positioned next season to contend for the championship."

Sadler is in his fourth season with RYR. He joined the team in 2003 and has two wins with Yates -- April 4, 2004, at Texas and Sept. 5, 2004, at California. His first victory came March 25, 2001, at Bristol while driving for the Wood Brothers.

He has three wins in 268 Cup starts with 16 top-five finishes and 50 top-10s.

This season Sadler is 20th in points. He has one top-five finish and four top-10s through 19 races.

With Sadler moving to the No. 19, the question now is: Where will Jeremy Mayfield land, since he's still the pilot of that car.

Mayfield recently aired his displeasure of the way things have developed at Evernham, which prompted Evernham and Mayfield to play meet-the-press at Chicago to clear up any misconceptions about the race team.

Last week at New Hampshire, Bob Dillner of SPEED reported that Mayfield has been offered the opportunity to drive for Michael Waltrip Racing's new Toyota team next season.

"It's more the ball's in [Mayfield's] court," Waltrip said. "We've got a lot going on next week. We're going to Atlanta to do some stuff with UPS and Aaron's.

"Hopefully, it will come together and as soon as it does we'll let the world know. We've got a lot of things we need to accomplish between getting him signed and the 2007 season."