EVERNHAM MOTORSPORTS ANNOUNCES ELLIOTT SADLER AS
THE DRIVER OF THE NO. 19 DODGE DEALERS/UAW DODGE CHARGER BEGINNING IN MICHIGAN
Team Sets Stage for Success in 2007 Season
STATESVILLE, NC (August 16, 2006) – Evernham Motorsports announced today that it has named Elliott Sadler to drive the No. 19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger beginning this weekend at Michigan International Speedway.
Sadler, who had his first win at Bristol in 2001, has three career wins, seven poles and 16 top fives in 271 starts, brings his hard-charging driving style, fun-loving personality and broad fan appeal to Evernham’s three-car NASCAR Nextel Cup program. He joins Kasey Kahne, driver of the No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger and Scott Riggs, driver of the No. 10 Valvoline/Stanley Tools Dodge Charger.
The 31-year-old native of Emporia, VA, will start his career at Evernham Motorsports this weekend in the backyard of his new primary sponsors – Dodge and the Dodge Dealers – to fuel the team’s march to prominence. While the terms of his relationship with Evernham Motorsports were not announced, he does have a long term commitment to the program.
“It’s truly an honor to drive for Dodge and Ray Evernham and to be a part of this team,” said Sadler. “I admired Ray as a crew chief and now as a team owner and business leader. His operation is impressive. When you look at the engineering resources, the talented guys on the team, the marketing programs, the facilities and the way he and his directors run things, you can tell that this is a powerhouse organization that is focused on winning races and championships. I look forward to providing some of those wins and hopefully competing with Kasey and Scott for the championship next year.”
Sadler is also excited about his new relationship with Dodge.
“My family’s business has a Dodge dealership in Franklin, VA, so it will great to represent Dodge and all the dealers across the country,” he added. “They have some amazing cars and trucks, and I’ll be trading in my current truck for a Ram SRT-10 right away.”
Ray Evernham, president and CEO of Evernham Motorsports, said Sadler brings the right chemistry, personality and driving skills to round out his stable of NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers.
“So much of the success of a team depends on having the right blend of chemistry and communications,” said Evernham. “Elliott will be a great fit with our team right away and will bring the competitive drive and the ability to communicate with the team what the Dodge Charger needs to perform at its best. I think he’s the key that will place this team firmly on the path to success.”
Sadler will get his first experience in a Dodge Charger on Wednesday when his team goes to Kentucky Speedway to test.
“We’re looking forward to having Elliott join the Dodge family,” said Mike Accavitti, director of Dodge SRT and motorsports product planning and marketing. “He’s got great star power, he’s a talented driver and has excellent potential to be a champion. He’s a perfect fit for the Dodge brand.”
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BY JILL ERWIN
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Thursday, August 17, 2006
When the time finally came to make the announcement of his arrival at Evernham Motorsports, Elliott Sadler was a little late to the party.
He was excused, however, as he was at Kentucky Speedway testing the No. 19 Dodge as his new boss, Ray Evernham, greeted the media on a teleconference yesterday.
"I think this is the key to the turnaround of the 19 team and the performance of it," Evernham said. "We couldn't be happier to have worked this out."
Sadler jumped on shortly thereafter, saying all the right things. The Emporia native said he's ready to go this weekend.
"Ray Evernham has a lot of passion for this sport," Sadler said. "He's got a will to win, and going to the shop this week, he definitely has the resources to take me . . . to the next level."
David Gilliland will replace Sadler in the No. 38.
Sadler said he was interested in four teams before choosing Evernham, but declined to name them. He spent most of yesterday turning laps at Kentucky, trying to adjust to the Charger after years in Ford products.
"I have not raced a Dodge yet in traffic," Sadler said. "As far as driving the car, I'm very comfortable. I haven't found any problems."
Sadler said he was glad everything worked out in his separation from Robert Yates Racing.
"I slept better last night than I have in the past two months," Sadler said. "I really felt when I shook hands with the guys [Robert and Doug Yates] yesterday and I left RYR for the last time it made me feel better than anything because I always want to do things first class."
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Yea, I agree NascarSpace, it should be very interesting! Hopefully Kasey and Elliot will be able to work well together and both will prosper! All the better for Dodge too!
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where's your I love Sadler thread, Mrs Ryan? I thought this might be it, my dirty mind was wondering if you wanted to get busy with Esad's Dodge too. Oh excuse me, pardon me, that just came out.
~LOL~No Smoke MrsMopar will pass on getting busy WITH Esad's Dodge! Maybe with Esad IN the Dodge!!! ~LOL~
WV-K and I are just messing with you and Lizard! All in good fun Honey!
You and Lizard have every right to love on Tony as you seem fit.
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Evernham Motorsports Announces Elliott Sadler
Sadler busy with his Dodge
Maybe with Esad IN the Dodge!!!
~LOL~
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