Although the press conference was cancelled Friday, the signing of David Gilliland to RYR is expected soon. Credit: NASCAR

Paperwork only thing delaying Gilliland to RYR

Team says Busch driver could run up to six Cup races this year

SPEEDWAY, Ind. -- Robert Yates Racing cancelled Friday's press conference to announce the signing of driver David Gilliland, but it's only a temporary setback.

	David Gilliland is set to take over RYR's No. 38 Ford. Credit: Autostock
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Co-owner Doug Yates said it was a simple matter of paperwork and that Gilliland should be signed to replace Elliott Sadler in the No. 38 for the 2007 Nextel Cup season within a couple of weeks.

"He's a hot commodity," Yates said before practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "But we're locked in. It's good that there are three or four or five teams that sent him contracts. That is reinforcement that we got the right guy."

Yates has been busy the past month trying to find replacements for Sadler and Dale Jarrett, who announced earlier in the year he would move to Michael Waltrip Racing in 2007.

Last week, Yates announced that crew chiefs Tommy Baldwin (No. 38) and Slugger Labbe (No. 88) had been released.

"We're trying to put so many things together so fast," said Yates, who still plans to put rookie Stephen Leicht in Jarrett's No. 88 car. "It takes time to put things together. We can't make more hours in a day right now."

Yates wants to make sure the team makes no mistakes with the contract. His father, co-owner Robert Yates, recently criticized former general manger Eddie D'Hondt for the structure of Sadler's contract that left him an easy out based on performance.

"We're just going through the proper channels, making sure everything is right," Doug Yates said.

Sadler was released last month to reportedly move to Evernham Motorsports and replace Jeremy Mayfield, who is being sought by Michael Waltrip Racing.

Yates said he would like to get the 30-year-old Gilliland, who ran the Cup race at Sonoma earlier this year, in at least six races before the end of the season. He said a third RYR car is his first choice, but didn't rule out him replacing Sadler, who is out of championship contention.

"Obviously, that would be more efficient for us and get our team where it needs to be [for next year]," Yates said. "We really haven't gone there. That's something us and Elliott have to sit down together and discuss first.

"Elliott Sadler has been good for us, and I think we've been good for him, and we need to respect that. I'd hate for anybody to say we want him out of the car, because that's just not right."

Menard staying with DEI

Richie Gilmore, the director of motorsports at Dale Earnhardt Inc., dispelled rumors that Busch Series regular Paul Menard may bolt to Toyota's Team Red Bull in 2007.

Gilmore said Menard has two years left on his contract and is committed to running the No. 15 car at DEI next season. Gilmore said the plan is to add a fourth team in 2008.

Menard, who is ranked sixth in the Busch standings, will attempt to qualify the No. 15 this weekend at Indianapolis.

Test, test, test

Bill Elliott, who is driving the No. 00 for Michael Waltrip Racing this weekend, will test the Car of Tomorrow for Toyota's Team Red Bull in two weeks at Michigan.

Elliott recently admitted he is considering a return to a full time Cup schedule in 2007, and is a candidate for the second car at Red Bull.