Rudd returning to Cup, Yates full time in 2007

Rudd returning to Cup, Yates full time in 2007

RYR announces sponsorship with Masterfoods USA on second car
NASCAR.COM
December 21, 2006
04:46 PM EST (21:46 GMT)

After a one-year hiatus, The Rooster returns. Ricky Rudd has signed to drive the 2007 Cup Series season for Robert Yates Racing, an organization with which Rudd already has a solid history.

Rudd, 50, replaces 1999 series champion Dale Jarrett, who has signed to drive with Michael Waltrip Racing.

Rudd will be sponsored by several Masterfoods USA brands, primarily Snickers and also including Pedigree dog food and Combos snacks. Pedigree and Combos will hold the primary sponsorship for a combined seven events.

"It's good to be back and it's really good to be back in the Snickers Ford Fusion and to team back with Robert Yates Racing," Rudd said at a Thursday teleconference officially announcing the deal. "In today's market, you have to have a multi-car organization to be competitive and win races and with Masterfoods' support I believe we have the ability to do both of those next year.

"I'm really looking forward to the new season and can't thank the Masterfoods company enough for participating and stepping up and sponsoring both cars at Robert Yates Racing and, again, thanks to Robert Yates and all of his family for having me back."

Yates will team Rudd with David Gilliland, who replaced Elliott Sadler last season.

"I look forward to working closely with David and Todd [Parrott, crew chief of the No. 38 team] next season," Rudd said. "Having a teammate to work with is something that I haven't had the luxury of in quite some time. We've already practiced a couple times and hit it off real well.

"David has shown tremendous talent in his time behind the wheel of a Nextel Cup car and with the resources we will share at RYR, our goal is to put Robert Yates Racing back on top."

The 38 car is sponsored by M&M's, another brand of Masterfoods USA, making it the only sponsor to have two brands from the same company on one team.

"The sponsorship of a second team will strengthen Robert Yates Racing and will define it as a multi-car Nextel Cup team in the coming season," said William Clements, director of sponsorships and sports marketing for Masterfoods USA.

"When I took a break from racing at the end of 2005, I knew that I would return to competition if the right opportunity presented itself."
- Ricky Rudd


"The addition of Ricky Rudd, who provides 30-plus years of experience, will bring added leadership for the entire organization as well as assisting in the continuing development of David Gilliland. We feel that veteran Ricky Rudd and Snickers is a perfect complement to David Gilliland and the M&M's racing team."

A Yates-prepared car failed to win a race for the first time since it began racing in 1989 with Davey Allison, and the organization has been the center of speculation from everything between closing its doors to merging with other race shops.

"It's time to go, but this is Christmas and this is a wonderful deal for Masterfoods to support us in this way," Yates said. "We are excited to welcome Ricky back to the team. We all realize Ricky's talent and to have him return to the organization is a huge plus for us."

Rudd previously drove for Yates from 2000-02, accumulating three wins, 34 top-five finishes and 53 top-10s in 106 starts.

"Hopefully we can start off equally or better than we were and we're looking forward to that," Yates added. "I think we have the strength and the depth. We certainly have the desire. Ricky has that and we have the desire and we have the belief that we can go out and have a great year, so we're excited about this."

Rudd originally planned to retire after the 2002 Cup Series season, however, he signed on with the Wood Brothers and drove the No. 21 Ford from 2003-05 and ended his streak of 788 consecutive starts.

Rudd, who was named one of NASCAR's "Top 50 Drivers of All Time" in 1998, stepped away after the '05 season with 23 victories, 194 top-five finishes and 373 top-10s in 875 starts. His highest points finish was second to Dale Earnhardt in 1991.

A 31-year Cup Series veteran, Rudd made his debut on March 2, 1975, at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, N.C. He was the 1977 rookie of the year and went on to win at least one race in 16 consecutive seasons (1983-98), an honor he shares with Rusty Wallace.

"When I took a break from racing at the end of 2005, I knew that I would return to competition if the right opportunity presented itself," Rudd said. "Returning to Robert Yates Racing and partnering with Snickers was the ride to get me back into competition full time."

It is not known what the car number will be. Rudd previously drove the No. 28 for Yates, but the car was re-numbered to its current 38 when Sadler took over in 2003. The 88, driven by Jarrett since 1996, is still a possibility.