When I got up this morning (around 5am to feed my little guy) I decided to look at a couple of websites I usually check out regarding racing news and rumors. I was surprised to see a report that AJ Allmendinger would replace Elliot Sadler in the #19 Sprint Cup ride for Gillette Evernham Motorsports. What I thought would really happen is that Allmendinger would replace Reed Sorenson as the driver of the #10 GEM entry.
When you lose your ride this time of year it makes it hard to find something for the upcoming season. I believe Sadler will have a seat by the time Daytona rolls around but the question everyone is asking now is…. Where will he go? One of the scenarios out there has Sadler talking to the 41 car, at Earnhardt-Ganassi. But, there are plenty of other names in the running for that ride. Sadler is a guy that the sponsors really like so if Target likes what they see, maybe he does end up in the Earnhardt-Ganassi ride.
The Yates team popped into my mind when I read this report. As far as I know 2 of the 3 Yates cars are still looking for sponsorship. If not 2 of them, I am pretty sure one of them needs sponsorship and Sadler is a great sponsor representative. There are a few racers that just know how to give the sponsors a little bit more, and Sadler is one of those guys. Another reason I believe Yates may go after Sadler is he did have some success when he drove for Robert Yates Racing. Obviously things are a little different now but this is one thought I had about this situation. I am not even sure of their current driver’s contract situations but if Sadler could attract sponsorship, anything could happen. The way I read it, Sadler had just signed an extension at GEM, so that just proves that lawyers and agents can work the contracts out.
Like I said, it is no fun to lose your ride this time of year, but with Sadler’s racing experience and his ability to please his sponsors; he will land on his feet. This is a late change but with the testing ban, I guess team owners can wait a little later to make moves like this one.
We will see in the coming days how it all plays out but these are just a few of my own thoughts and opinions.