2007 Nascar Nextel, Busch, Craftsman Truck Thread

**fast98dodge** · 12.19.06, 11:04 PM

Okay, since our Aussie fans are a wee bit anxious, I took the liberty of starting the '07 Nascar Thread...

Hopefully we have an exciting and safe year for all drivers and crews....

It should be very interesting with new rules, COT, Toyota in it's debut year in Cup, driver and crewchief swaps, ex F1 pilot Juan Pablo Montoya's adjustment to this type of racing, etc...

Also, BREW CREW hosts a Fantasy League that I'm sure he'll have more details later regarding signup, etc... It's interesting, fun, and most of all...It's Free!!!

As in past years...

GO DODGE!!!

**BREW CREW** · 12.20.06, 01:49 PM

Yes!!! The Daytona 500 is 59 days, 21 hours and 39 minutes away.

The racing league will be up and running in early January, so buckle up and get prepared to rub paint with everyone!

Also, a site that I was told about from one of the biggest NASCAR racing fans I know is jayski's. http://www.jayski.com/

I know that OLO likes this site as well....if you are a NASCAR fan, then you must check this site out!

**OLO** · 12.20.06, 09:20 PM

Yep, Jayski is the best site for Nascar news.

OLO's Crushing machine race team has been offered a shit load of money by Citrone to drive them in the 2007 Nextel Cup season.

**fast98dodge** · 12.21.06, 01:38 PM

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Robert Yates is bringing Ricky Rudd out of retirement to keep his sinking race team afloat, signing him Thursday to drive the full Nextel Cup schedule in 2007.
Masterfoods USA will sponsor the car, with its Snickers brand as the primary paint scheme. The car number was not immediately disclosed, but Yates needed a sponsor for his flagship No. 88 Ford.

Rudd spent three successful years with Yates driving the No. 28 Ford - a car not currently in use. The team combined for three victories and a fourth-place finish in the 2001 standings.

"We are excited to welcome Ricky back to the team," team owner Yates said. "We all realize Ricky's talent, and to have him return to the organization is a huge plus for us."

The team has been in a free fall almost all season. Former series champion Dale Jarrett left the No. 88 to drive a new Toyota, and sponsor UPS followed him. Elliott Sadler, the driver who replaced Rudd at Yates in 2003, used a clause in his contract to leave the team for Evernham Motorsports.

David Gilliland, who parlayed a fluke Busch Series victory in June into a Cup ride, replaced Sadler in the No. 38 Ford. That car is sponsored by Masterfoods' M&M's brand.

But until Masterfoods agreed to sponsor a second car, Yates was in danger of having to fold that team. Landing the sponsor was still only half the battle - Yates also needed a driver, preferably a veteran who could mentor Gilliland.

He found it in Rudd, a 31-year veteran of the Cup series.

Rudd left Yates on somewhat acrimonious terms after the 2002 season to drive for the Wood Brothers, and left racing altogether following the 2005 season. It ended his NASCAR record of 789 consecutive Cup starts.

Other than a one-race substitution for the injured Tony Stewart in July, Rudd largely was absent from the NASCAR scene and spent most of his time tending to his North Carolina farm. He jumped at that opportunity to drive when Stewart had a broken shoulder blade.

"It was a real, real tough call," Rudd said back in June. "Do I cut grass for six hours a day this weekend or do I go out to Dover and drive a race car? It wasn't a real hard decision about what I wanted to do."

**ddzavis** · 12.21.06, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by fast98dodge

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Robert Yates is bringing Ricky Rudd out of retirement to keep his sinking race team afloat, signing him Thursday to drive the full Nextel Cup schedule in 2007.
Masterfoods USA will sponsor the car, with its Snickers brand as the primary paint scheme. The car number was not immediately disclosed, but Yates needed a sponsor for his flagship No. 88 Ford.

Rudd spent three successful years with Yates driving the No. 28 Ford - a car not currently in use. The team combined for three victories and a fourth-place finish in the 2001 standings.

"We are excited to welcome Ricky back to the team," team owner Yates said. "We all realize Ricky's talent, and to have him return to the organization is a huge plus for us."

The team has been in a free fall almost all season. Former series champion Dale Jarrett left the No. 88 to drive a new Toyota, and sponsor UPS followed him. Elliott Sadler, the driver who replaced Rudd at Yates in 2003, used a clause in his contract to leave the team for Evernham Motorsports.

David Gilliland, who parlayed a fluke Busch Series victory in June into a Cup ride, replaced Sadler in the No. 38 Ford. That car is sponsored by Masterfoods' M&M's brand.

But until Masterfoods agreed to sponsor a second car, Yates was in danger of having to fold that team. Landing the sponsor was still only half the battle - Yates also needed a driver, preferably a veteran who could mentor Gilliland.

He found it in Rudd, a 31-year veteran of the Cup series.

Rudd left Yates on somewhat acrimonious terms after the 2002 season to drive for the Wood Brothers, and left racing altogether following the 2005 season. It ended his NASCAR record of 789 consecutive Cup starts.

Other than a one-race substitution for the injured Tony Stewart in July, Rudd largely was absent from the NASCAR scene and spent most of his time tending to his North Carolina farm. He jumped at that opportunity to drive when Stewart had a broken shoulder blade.

"It was a real, real tough call," Rudd said back in June. "Do I cut grass for six hours a day this weekend or do I go out to Dover and drive a race car? It wasn't a real hard decision about what I wanted to do."

Good for Yates. Rudd is a class act. Hopefully they will run better this year.

**chefcraig** · 12.22.06, 06:56 AM

Originally Posted by ddzavis

Good for Yates. Rudd is a class act. Hopefully they will run better this year.

I wonder if the engine builder (who worked for Yates) back when Rudd was driving for the outfit is still there. You know, the guy that attacked Rudd and wound up getting clobbered with a soda bottle on national tv?

**racefan8** · 12.22.06, 07:25 AM

I I I nnneed my fffffffffix. Pleeeeeeeeze!!! Gentlemen, start your engines already!

All I want for Christmas is the sweet smell of racing fuel and the music of those engines roaring into turn 1. Oh, and maybe a chance to drive one for more than 4 laps. Oh yeah baby. Lemme shift those gears. Who needs men when ya have stock cars? Muahahahaha.

I don't think I'll have time to pay attn to the fantasy league this year since I'm working towards my master's. Freakin' homework is a bitch. But I'll come back with a vengence. When I do, y'all better watch out and be scairt. Uh huh.

Go Junior baby!!!

Who wants to get rid of their season tix to Bristol or somethin'? Just so ya know - I'll take 'em!!

Anyone want to predict who will win the Daytona 500? I'm gonna pick Smoke. He's been on the verge for the last few and was kicking ass and taking names at damn near every race last year. Unless he has the Earnhardt curse, he's due.

**Brian Gibson** · 12.23.06, 12:09 AM

Originally Posted by fast98dodge

Okay, since our Aussie fans are a wee bit anxious, I took the liberty of starting the '07 Nascar Thread...

Just a wee bit toey

**chefcraig** · 12.29.06, 06:27 AM

For the true die-hard, the Craftsman Truck banquet is tonight, on the "Speed" channel at 9PM(EST).

I might tune in to check out the wives and girlfriends.