Robert Yates confirmed today he is retiring the #88 from Robert Yates Racing (RYR) following the last race of the 2007 Nextel Cup season. He is requesting NASCAR transfer the number to Hendrick Motorsports and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. for use in competition for the 2008 Sprint Cup Series.
“Ralph Earnhardt drove the #88 Olds in 1957 and because of this number’s history with the Earnhardt family; I felt car #88 should continue with Dale Earnhardt, Jr.,” Yates said. “Younger fans don’t realize I built cars and raced against Ralph. I also had a very close relationship with Dale Earnhardt, Sr. I’m proud to transfer this number to Dale Jr. and let him know how much I appreciate the friendship and competitive racing I’ve always enjoyed with his family,” Yates continued.
Dale Jarrett began driving the #88 Ford Quality Care/Ford Credit Racing Ford in 1996 and promptly won the Daytona 500 in the team’s first race. UPS assumed the role of primary sponsorship in 2001 with Ford Credit staying on as an associate sponsor. Jarrett had 29 victories and won, what was then, the Winston Cup championship in 1999. He also finished in the top 10 in points seven consecutive seasons from 1996 through 2002. Ricky Rudd assumed driving duties in 2007, with sponsorship from Snickers. Doug Yates announced two weeks ago, David Gilliland and Travis Kvapil will be the team’s drivers in 2008 with sponsorship and car numbers to be announced.
[RYR PR]
- DEI/RYR possible merger ‘different’ now
- Yates and Gilliland part ways
- Earnhardt, Jr RCR or Hendrick Racing bound?
- Yates looking at investors as well
- Yates to team up with Patriots owner?
Funny how he reportedly said that when HMS approached RYR about driving the #38 it would be like asking if they could date his wife, but he doesn’t mind chucking the #88… A car they actually won the Cup with!
I had no idea that RE drove the 88!
I think Yates was in on the cover-up deal with Rick Hendrick and Jr. the entire time. Rick said in the announcement today that they “did all sorts of things to throw people off”, such as having their decal people start cutting other car numbers and applying to the patent and trademark office for the use of the #38, #51, #81, #82, #58….. all in an effort to throw the media and fans off the real work being done.
Very comendable
James wrote:
Good work…I bet your right. I just got an email from nascar.com asking me to but jrs new stuff for next year!
Well that was kinda obvious that RYR was handing over the number since Jr. has announced he had the number.. Enough about Jr. please.
I hope Yates brings back the 28. That numbers NEEDS to be in the sport.
Whether it all be planned or not,… I’m glad it’s finally all out in the open! I’m too excited for JR and the coming years!
Good point James.
They are asking the fans to buy 88 stuff off of nascar.com but
they don’t even have pictures up yet. Like that’s going to work out.
LOL
MoFo wrote:
That’s what I’ve been hearing so hopefully it’ll happen….great number and legacy.
Man, was there anyone who DIDN’T like Davey Allison??
Kenneth - ARS Editor wrote:
Davy was very talented and a great person
WELL ATLEST HE GOT TO KEEP PART OF HIS # NOW ITS DOUBLED
Kenneth - ARS Editor wrote:
I think we all mise Davey and wonder just how good he would have been.
Davey was my fav driver and was very fan friendly the times I was around him. He was one of the brightest stars of nascar and would have won a bunch more races had he not died. I’d like to see the 28 again , but with the right driver. I think when matt martin makes the move to Nascar in a few years he would be great to run that number.
I am so pleased with Robert Yates, he has so much more class
than the #8 People. And Sam , being a senior citizen, (I was
around way back when) I was mpt very fond of any of the
Allisons………..Quirky
Quirky wrote:
Did you mean that you are NOT very fond of any of the alisons?
Please bring back the 28, Davy and Ernie drove there hearts out in that car, put a top driver in it.
Yes, I meant not, but, I did like Ernie!!!
Hey Sam, Did you mean Allisons???