David Gilliland made a Cup start at Infineon Raceway earlier this year. Credit: Autostock

Gilliland closer to Cup ride, possibly with Yates

Busch Series driver has had discussions with several other teams

LONG POND, Pa. -- Robert Yates Racing is among several Nextel Cup teams courting Busch Series driver David Gilliland for a ride next season.

RYR co-owner Doug Yates acknowledged discussions with Gilliland, who was at Pocono Raceway for Sunday's Cup race. Yates has two openings with Dale Jarrett leaving the No. 88 team and Elliott Sadler leaving the No. 38 team.

David Gilliland became the first non-Cup driver to win a Busch race this year. Credit: AP

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 •   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 •   D'Hondt fired as RYR restructuring takes form •   Jarrett joining Waltrip Racing to drive Toyotas in 2007 •   UPS sponsorship to follow Jarrett to Waltrip Racing Meijer 300Watch David Gilliland earn his first victory at Kentucky Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

Yates is considering Stephen Leicht for one of those rides, likely the No. 88 with Citifinancial as the new sponsor. Gilliland likely would be a candidate for Sadler's M&M's-sponsored ride.

"He's a hot item," 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."

Yates said there's a "realistic" chance that RYR could go to three Cup teams next season if 44-year-old Ward Burton, who has been out of Cup the past two seasons, comes up with a sponsor.

Citifinancial and M&M's, according to team officials, are looking for younger drivers such as Leicht, 19, and Gilliland, 30.

"If Ward walked in with a sponsor today we'd say, 'Ward, you've got the ride,'" Yates said.

Gilliland said he's also had discussions with Roush Racing, BAM Racing, Richard Childress Racing and his current Busch team, Clay Andrews Racing, although not all for Cup rides.

Roush and RCR likely would want Gilliland for Busch rides. Gilliland said being one of the top drivers for a Cup team at Yates is more attractive at his age, although he admitted he may not be ready for Cup.

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

"It's an exciting time," said Gilliland, 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."

Childress said he's not interested in adding a fourth Cup team until 2008, and that his interest for Gilliland next season is for the Busch Series.

Roush, who was waiting at Gilliland's hauler after Saturday's Busch Series race at Martinsville, said Gilliland is on his "radar." Roush, without mentioning RYR, said it was his understanding that Gilliland had an offer from another Ford team.

"He did not tell me who he was talking to, which was OK," Roush said. "He just said after he won [at Kentucky] the phone started ringing and they were very impressive phone calls."

Gilliland hopes to make a decision on his future in the next month. His goal is to be in an ARCA car at Talladega in October so he can be certified by NASCAR for restrictor-plate tracks next season.

"I'm approved everywhere else," Gilliland said.