Ricky Rudd Out At Yates! Yeley In?
Once Ricky Rudd begins his retirement, will J.J. Yeley step in?
Ricky Rudd will hang up his helmet after the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup season.
After 911 starts following his NASCAR Winston Cup debut at Rockingham in 1975, Ricky Rudd will finally retire from stock car racing. Rudd returned to Nextel Cup competition in 2007 after taking a breather in 2006. Rudd, often referred to as the 'Rooster', has recorded 23 victories, including the 1997 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"I wasn't sure if I wanted to retire at the end of '05 or not," Rudd said. "That's why I never made a statement. I took a year off and I ended up coming back. I think it's clear to me that I want to do it now. I've enjoyed the sport but it's time for me to do something different."
After Rudd rides off into the sunset, an opening at Yates/Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing will become available, and word around the garage is that J.J. Yeley is the leading candidate to succeed Rudd in the familiar 88 Ford. Yeley will leave Joe Gibbs Racing following the 2007 season to make room for Kyle Busch.
Yeley has been linked with Dale Earnhardt, Inc, Richard Childress Racing, Wodd Brothers Racing, Bill Davis Racing, and Evernham Motorsports.
Other drivers that could emerge as Rudd's replacement include veteran Jeremy Mayfield, as well as Regan Smith, who's status is currently uncertain. Smith drove for Team Rensi's Ford team in the Busch Series in 2006.
Additionally, open wheel drivers Scott Speed and Dario Franchitti have been rumored as future stock car drivers.
Rain, rain, please just go away! Rain has dampened several race weekends throughout the 2007 season. Not only has races at Richmond, Darlington, Dover, and now Michigan have been postponed due to mother nature, the event held at Pocono in June was rain-shortened. Also, qualifying sessions at Texas, Daytona, and Watkins Glen have been washed out. Never have I witnessed so much rain in a NASCAR season.
