Dale Jarrett Will Reduce Schedule

Dale Jarrett will move to a part-time NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule in 2008.

The 1999 NASCAR champion Dale Jarrett is expected to lessen his workload in 2008 after struggling through what is considered his worst season since joining NASCAR's top series. Jarrett signed with the upstart Michael Waltrip Racing team after 12 years driving for Robert Yates Racing. The sponsorship from UPS followed him. Sure, Jarrett had been struggling for years at Robert Yates Racing, but clearly, the grass is not greener in Waltrip's neck of the woods.

Including the UAW Ford 500 at Talladega, Jarrett has qualified for 20 out of 30 races thus far. Jarrett's best option would be to go ahead and step away from full-time competition. If there is anything negative that can be said about the careers of legends Darrell Waltrip and even Richard Petty, it is that they may have stayed in the sport too long after exiting their prime.

Michael Waltrip expressed his support for Jarrett. "I want him to do whatever he wants. He's a legend, he's a champion. I want him to be happy, so whatever it takes to do that."

Jarrett has been an analyst for ESPN for several Busch Series races this season, so it is possible that he could delve further into that career path.

Speaking of Michael Waltrip, the five-time winner, all on restrictor plate tracks, won the pole for the UAW Ford 500. It is the first Nextel Cup pole for Michael Waltrip Racing. In fact, four of the top five qualifiers are Toyota drivers.

Dave Blaney, Brian Vickers, Joe Nemechek, and David Reutiman round out the top five. Jacques Villenueve qualfied 6th in his Nextel Cup debut.

Kurt Busch and David Ragan failed post-qualifying inspection, hence they will line up 41st and 42nd on the starting grid.

Dario Franchitti finished 17th in the ARCA event on Friday, and Scott Speed finished 7th.

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