Rudd to celebrate 900th career start at California: #88-Ricky Rudd, who will step down as a full time driver after the 2007 season, is scheduled to take the green flag for his 900th career Nextel Cup Series start for the Sharp Aquos 500 at California Speedway. Rudd will run a special scheme, the #88 Snickers Generation Max Ford Fusion. “This is a record that just kind of sneaks up on you,” Rudd said regarding his milestone career start. “I started out as one of the youngest guys in this sport and now I’m one of the oldest guys out there still racing. It’s a real honor to be able to have this kind of longevity with a long and fruitful career. I’ve been so lucky to have remained healthy and competitive to have made it to 900 starts, come Labor Day weekend in my Snickers Generation Max Ford Fusion.” Over this week, Mars US will help celebrate Rudd’s accomplishment by highlighting several of Rudd’s most memorable starts since his entrance into the NASCAR community in 1975.(Snickers Racing PR)(8-27-2007)
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Good for you Ricky Rudd, you have done a great job your a top driver in my book, and one of my all time favs, will always remember you as being a great guy and driver, Go RICKY RUDD your the man!
Ricky Rudd 900th Career Start Celebration - Day 2
Rudd’s First Career Pole: Martinsville 1981; On Deck: Ricky Rudd 900th Career Start Celebration – Day 3
Elevation Motorsports Group For Mars US, Inc., Press Release
CHARLOTTE, NC (Aug. 26, 2007) – Starting as the lead car at the front of the field is the goal of any driver in the NASCAR Cup Series. Track position is one of the many keys to driving a successful race and starting from the pole position allows drivers to race in clean air which allows for better maintenance of the car engines. At many tracks if drivers can stay up at the front of the pack, they may even be able to avoid wrecks which occur more frequently in the midst of the racing field.
Ricky Rudd captured his first pole on April 26, 1981 in his sixth season of NASCAR Cup Series racing. Rudd who began his racing career in go-karts didn’t even drive a stock car until he was 18 years old when he demonstrated his natural ability to navigate around a race track. Rudd had started from the front row once before in 1980 when he qualified second, but it took Rudd until 1981 to capture the title of a pole award.
“Capturing my very first pole was an incredible feeling,” Rudd said reflecting on the event. “It actually took me a few years to get to that point where I was running solid qualifying runs, but that day in Martinsville was a really exciting day. Knowing that I would be the very first car when the green flag flew was just such an impressive feeling and I remember being excited to start the race without any other cars in front of me.”
Rudd led the field to the green for the Virginia 500 at Martinsville as the pole-sitter, but by the end of the race, found himself bringing home a third-place finish. The #88 Gatorade Buick completed 499 of 500 laps for the afternoon and led a total of 24 laps. Rudd walked away with a total of $15,250 for DiGard Racing.
Rudd went on to capture two more pole awards in 1981. One came two weeks later at Nashville, while the third came at Dover for the CRC Chemicals 500.
Memorable Moments:
63rd Career Start; Rudd posts his first career third-place finish:
The Talladega 500 on August 5, 1979 at Talladega Superspeedway
Drove the #90 Truxmore Mercury owned by Junie Donlavey
Rudd started the race from 11th and finished 3rd
Completed 186 of 188 laps
Won a total of $13,920
76th Career Start; Rudd earns his first career front row start:
The National 500 on October 5, 1977 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Drove the #22 LYF-TMY Building Supply Chevrolet owned by his father, Al Rudd
Qualified 2nd and finished the race in 4th
Completed all 334 laps and led for one lap during the race
Won a total of $15,350
88th Career Start; Rudd begins his Consecutive Starts Streak making him NASCAR’s “Iron Man”
January 11, 1981 for the Winston Western 500 at Riverside International Raceway
Started the race from 3rd and finished in 19th due to engine problems
Drove the #88 Gatorade Chevrolet for DiGard Racing
Completed 98 of 119 laps on the 2.62-mile road course
Won a total of $6,950
90th Career Start; Rudd earns his first career second-place finish:
February 22, 1981 for the Richmond 400 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway
Started the race in 8th and finished in 2nd
Drove the #88 Gatorade Oldsmobile for DiGard Racing
Completed all 400 laps and led for a total of seven laps
Won a total of $13,400
Over the next nine days, Mars US will help celebrate Rudd’s historical accomplishment by highlighting several of Rudd’s most memorable starts since his entrance into the NASCAR community in 1975. Media members can logon to www.NASCARMedia.com daily to receive stats, quotes and other information as the countdown begins to the historic September 2nd start.
NEXTEL Cup Series Career Fast Facts
Starts: 900 (projected for 9/2/07)
Wins: 23
Poles: 29
Top-5 Finishes 194
Top-10 Finishes 374
Consecutive Starts Record: 788
Completed Laps: 256,809 laps
Laps Led: 7,864 laps
Driven For:
Al Rudd, Bill Champion, Junie Donlavey, DiGard Racing, Richard Childress, Bud Moore, Kenny Bernstein, Rick Hendrick, Rudd Performance Motorsports, Robert Yates, and the Wood Brothers
Birthday: September 12, 1956
Hometown: Chesapeake, VA
Wife: Linda
Children: Landon
About Mars US:
Mars US is the United States food, snack and pet care operations of Mars, Incorporated, one of the world's leading food manufacturers. With more than $7 billion in annual sales in the U.S., the combined food, snack and pet care segments are a symbol of excellence for quality brands. Headquartered in Hackettstown, New Jersey, Mars US employs more than 9,000 associates in the United States, with 52 facilities nationwide. The company owns some of the world's favorite brands, including M&M'S® Brand, SNICKERS® Brand, UNCLE BEN'S® Brand, PEDIGREE® Brand Food for Dogs, and WHISKAS® Brand Food for Cats.
This Press Release and any images that are used,
are used with permission. Do not duplicate or
redistribute in any form without permission or credit.
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Yates to retire, hand team to son at end of season
Kvapil to take over No. 88 Ford for retiring Rudd in 2008
By Dave Rodman
NASCAR.COM
September 8, 2007
09:37 PM EDT
RICHMOND, Va. -- Friday morning at Richmond International Raceway, NASCAR team co-owner Doug Yates said the Yates Newman Haas Lanigan Racing team had settled on its 2008 driver for the organization's No. 88 Ford.
By sunset Friday evening, team owner Yates had dropped the news that next season -- actually effective Dec. 1 of this year -- his solely owned Yates Racing operation would field two Sprint Cup Series Ford teams, with drivers David Gilliland, who currently drives the team's No. 38 Fusion and Travis Kvapil in the second car.
Yates said both the cars' numbers -- 38 and 88 -- and their owner points earned this season would remain with the two Yates Racing cars, but sponsors were not included in the announcement.
And sponsorship remains the biggest issue for the team, as current backer Masterfoods, through its M&M's and Snickers brands, might not return in 2008.
"Once again, we're looking and we've got some things that we feel pretty good about, but sponsorship is probably highest on the list [of priorities] right now," Yates said. "[Masterfoods] is still in the mix. The Mars family has been incredibly gracious to Robert Yates Racing and we'd love to have them here longer, and we don't know if that's going to happen or not.
"But we'd like to and hopefully we can present something to them where they're interested in us."
In making the announcement, Yates also repudiated the mid-summer partnership by which he and his father, Robert Yates, had joined Robert Yates Racing with the Champ Car World Series' Newman Haas Lanigan Racing operation; in effect replacing it with a more comprehensive support deal with Roush Fenway Racing.
"With this announcement it's clear that the letter of intent with Newman Haas Lanigan Racing will not proceed," said Doug Yates, who's the designated CEO of the new team. "We're thankful for their support and would welcome the opportunity to work with them in the future."
Finally, the elder Yates, who launched RYR in 1989 with a two-victory season with driver Davey Allison, after purchasing the team from Harry Ranier, announced he would retire as president of the company at the end of this season; ending a career in which his team won 57 Cup races, 48 poles and the 1999 championship with driver Dale Jarrett.
In his announcement Robert Yates said "certain facets of Robert Yates Racing are being transferred to a new company presided over by Doug Yates. Robert Yates Racing will continue with its joint ownership of Roush Yates Racing Engines as well as other ventures."
Friday morning Doug Yates had said the engineering and sponsorship goals of the new partnership were a long-term proposition. Robert Yates was more definitive by the evening.
"As many of you know I announced at the Brickyard, earlier this year, my decision to enter into a partnership with Newman Haas Lanigan Racing," Robert Yates said. "The goal of this partnership was to build a team to contend for the championship. The more I thought about it the more I realized instead this was the perfect opportunity for me to pass the torch to the next generation.
"I don't know how to express my gratitude to the Newman Haas Lanigan group for their support and belief we could get to the top. I'm closing this chapter of my life, and I cannot wait to see what is in store for me next. Carolyn [Yates, his wife] and I look forward to watching Doug build Yates Racing into a championship caliber team."
Robert's son Doug is excited about the opportunity to carry on his father's team.
"I am very excited to carry the Yates Racing heritage into the future," he said. "I believe I have the experience and understanding of the competition and business requirements that are necessary to be an effective team owner.
"My first order of business is to revamp our infrastructure into one that can field race teams that can compete successfully with the pre-eminent teams in the sport. I personally think the best business and competitive model in the sport to emulate for long-term success is that of Jack Roush and Roush Fenway Racing.
"By the 2008 Daytona 500, Yates Racing wants to be in an elevated position where we are competing successfully against any race team in the sport. With David, Travis and Roush Fenway Racing, we will continue to work on finding the right sponsor partners to join our programs."
The announcement concluded by saying "neither Jack Roush, Roush Fenway Racing, John Henry or Fenway Sports Group will have any ownership interest in Yates Racing."
The announcement was issued by e-mail just before 7:30 p.m. ET, but driver Kenny Wallace, who was in the Yates No. 88 hauler at the time watching the end of Bud Pole Qualifying, apparently didn't know about it.
Wallace said he's scheduled to test the No. 88 Car of Tomorrow at Talladega Superspeedway on Monday and Tuesday of next week, but he didn't know about his status for next weekend at New Hampshire, if Rudd is unable to go.
Kvapil, who currently drives a Craftsman Truck Series entry for Roush Fenway Racing, would be available as the Truck Series also races at New Hampshire next weekend.
Robert Yates Racing also fields the No. 90 Ford Fusion driven by Stephen Leicht in the Busch Series, but that car's future was not addressed in Yates' release.
Dan Davis, director, Ford Racing Technology said he understood the Yates family's decision to go with a more familiar partner.
"Certainly, we're disappointed that the partnership with Newman Haas Lanigan did not proceed as was originally planned, but the door is still open for joint efforts in the future," Davis said. "Philosophically, the partnership with Newman Haas Lanigan had merit, however there's no question that partnering with Roush Fenway Racing will provide more immediate technical and operating support, leading to improved on-track performance.
"Bringing these programs together, much like the engine program will have near and long-term operational benefits, and we will realize further efficiencies in our overall Ford NASCAR program."
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Statement from NHLR on Yates/Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing: Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, LLC was excited about its future plans with Robert Yates Racing [#38 and #88] and were quite surprised by the announcement of Robert Yates’ retirement from racing and handing the team over to his son Doug. [They] wish Robert the very best in his retirement. At this time [they] are continuing to explore several exciting opportunities for the 2008 NASCAR season.(NHL Racing site)(9-14-2007)
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Yates needs sponsors in 2008: Robert Yates Racing [Yates Racing in 2008] needs two new sponsors to replace Snickers on the #88 [with a new car # and Travis Kvapil as the driver] and M&M’s on the #38 of David Gilliland.(SPEEDtv.com)(9-16-2007)
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Yates Racing co-owner Doug Yates has been around the sport his entire life, but his entrée as the sole owner of his family race team is on uncertain territory as Preseason Thunder opened at Daytona.
KvapilThe team's No. 28 Ford -- formerly the No. 88 before former owner and Yates' father, Robert, ceded the number to Rick Hendrick for Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s use -- is on hand with new driver Travis Kvapil. But instead of sponsor signage the two cars are wearing decals on their quarter and TV panels that say "SponsorYates.com."
"The paint jobs are the same as everybody else's cars here -- they're all primer," co-owner Max Jones said through a smile. "We're working away and we've got lots of things in the works, but we're just trying to make sure we put the right situation together."
The Web site has a letter from Doug Yates and advises that "opportunities are available for both the 28 and No. 38," scheduled to be tested next week by David Gilliland. "I'm hoping there's something on 'em by Speedweeks," Jones said of the likelihood of the cars appearing in Yates Racing livery, alone. "When you're down here, there's curiosity and everybody's looking -- so there's no harm in having people look at our Web site."(nascar.com)
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This is a bittersweet time for Yates Racing, the team formerly known as Robert Yates Racing.
It's strange enough for the team to be operating without Robert Yates, the legendary engine builder and team owner who retired at the end of last season, turning the team over to his son, Doug.
But the team also has a completely new look, one that is both sad and encouraging.
For the first time since 2002, the famous Yates No. 28 is returning to the track, having replaced the No. 88, which Yates sold to Hendrick Motorsports and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The No. 28, of course, has been driven by some of NASCAR's greatest drivers — Fred Lorenzen, Buddy Baker, Bobby Allison and Cale Yarborough. It was made most famous, however, by Davey Allison, Bobby's son who was on his way to a brilliant career before being killed in a helicopter crash in 1993.
Davey Allison became an instant fan favorite. He won the 1992 Daytona 500 and was on his way to what would have likely been multiple NASCAR Cup championships before his death tugged on the heartstrings of fans everywhere, making the No. 28 an unforgettable number.
Most had mixed feelings when Yates put the historic number on the shelf in 2003 in favor of the No. 38 for driver Elliott Sadler. Though Ernie Irvan and Ricky Rudd both took the car back to Victory Lane, in the minds of most fans it was always Davey's number.
Now that it is back, being driven by new driver Travis Kvapil, it gives sentimental fans a heartwarming story to start the year and perhaps an underdog to pull for.
Kvapil, the former Craftsman Truck Series champion who is getting his second shot at Cup racing, joins the team via Roush Fenway Racing, which has closely aligned itself with the Yates operation and is strongly supporting the team. Former Roush General Manager Max Jones has even joined Doug Yates as co-owner of the team, overseeing the business side and the day-to-day operations.
All of those developments are positive steps for a team that struggled last season and has fallen on hard times in recent years.
Now the bad news: Yates Racing enters the season without a sponsor for either of its two teams — the No. 28 or David Gilliland's No. 38.
Given the rich history and tradition of the organization, it is shocking and discouraging that the Yates team is preparing for the 2008 season without sponsorship.
For a team that has won 57 Cup races, three Daytona 500s and the 1999 championship, there is something blatantly unfair about that.
It is somewhat disturbing that a multicar team with such a pedigree cannot find sponsors a month prior to the 50th Daytona 500. That is not a positive sign for the sport as it enters a crucial year in its history.
But it also illustrates how far the once-proud organization has fallen. Yates has not won a race in two years and has just one win in the past three seasons.
Perhaps more telling, it has gone from having stars like Rudd and Dale Jarrett to field cars to two little-known drivers in Kvapil and David Gilliland.
Gilliland and Rudd scored just one top-five finish last season and the two teams finished 30th and 32nd in owner points.
Ironically, that is one of the team's selling points as it looks for sponsors — that it has two teams in the top 35, guaranteeing them spots in the first five races.
Jones, who worked with Roush for several years and helped run the organization, says the team is committed to running the full season and is confident it will find sponsorship.
"It's not like we've got a rag-tag group of guys that we drug down here to Daytona. This is a solid organization with great cars," Jones said at preseason testing at Daytona. "You can look at the speeds. We're not embarrassing ourselves, so I think it's a great opportunity for somebody."
The fact that Yates has strong support from both Roush and Ford should bode well for the organization.
Doug Yates and his team still know how to generate horsepower. And with Roush helping provide cars and technical data, the team should have solid equipment.
Though still somewhat inexperienced, Gilliland and Kvapil are talented, young drivers with a lot of potential.
Though aligning itself with another team certainly benefits the Roush organization, Jack Roush deserves credit for coming to the rescue and helping sustain the Yates organization. It is even trying to help the team find sponsors.
Hopefully, its efforts will pay off and fans will get to see two fully-funded Yates Fords on the track.
The sport just wouldn't be the same without them.
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Ricky Rudd 900th Career Start Celebration
Yates Still Seeks Sponsors
Yates Racing at a crossroads
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