Elliot Sadler staying with Gillette Evernham Motorsports after all
Just a few weeks ago, Elliot Sadler thought that he was out of a ride in 2009. After the threat of a lawsuit and Gillette Evernham Motorsports' merger imminent merger with Petty Enterprises, it appears that Sadler will be driving the #19 Dodge next season. Multiple sources have confirmed to Fox Sports that Sadler will be back with GEM after all.
Rumors had been swirling that AJ Allmendinger was replacing Sadler in the #19 Dodge for Gillette Evernham Motorsports beginning in 2009. Allmendinger impressed many, including owner George Gillette, with his performance in the final five races of the season in the #10 GEM Dodge.
Just before Christmas, Sadler learned that GEM was in negotiations with Allmendinger to replace him in the #19, despite signing a two year extension with the team in June. What made it worse for Sadler was that the news was broken to him by one of his current sponsors. Obviously the news was a shock to the driver.
All Elliot Sadler wants to do is drive
Most driver's contracts have a buyout clause and it is likely that Gillette Evernham Motorsports would have honored that clause. But that wasn't enough for Sadler. After hearing the news of his impending release, Sadler immediately hired a lawyer and began filing the appropriate documents to block his release from the team. He was preparing to sue Gillette Evernham Motorsports, George Gillette, Ray Evernham, and AJ Allmendinger.
The economy has made it difficult for teams to continue operating with virtually no budget. Sponsorship is scarce and, therefore, so are good rides. Sadler, and every other driver, knows this all too well.
So when any other driver under the same circumstances would have simply held a grudge and moved on to another team, Sadler realized he didn't have that luxury. He had to fight for what would likely be his only driving opportunity in 2009.
Allmendinger could empathize with Sadler
AJ Allmendinger was in a similar situation only a few months ago.
Red Bull Racing has been working on developing the stock car skills of former F1 driver Scott Speed for the last year. Speed took over the driving duties for Allmendinger with six races to go in the 2008 Sprint Cup season, leaving Allmendinger searching for a new opportunity. By that point, most NASCAR teams were beginning to feel the brunt of the economic downturn and were hunkering down for difficult times ahead. It was only by chance that Allmendinger had the opportunity with GEM.
Considering the situation, Allmendinger can empathize with Sadler, but Allmendinger doesn't forget that he is also battling for a ride.
Despite all the rumors that had been floating around, Allmendinger has not signed a contract with Gillette Evernham Motorsports and is still a free agent looking for a ride in 2009.
What changed after the merger with Petty Enterprises?
The news that Sadler was likely staying in the #19 came the same day that the team announced its plans to merge with Petty Enterprises. What changed since the merger?
The merger with Petty Enterprises brings Gillette Evernham Motorsports a few opportunities.
First, the team will acquire the Petty's cars, tools, and other equipment, making it logistically easier to run a fourth car in the Sprint Cup Series. The team does not have to build cars from scratch, which is often very costly to do. Hiring a crew will not be difficult, considering the amount of talented individuals who have lost their jobs as a result of the recession
Secondly, the merger will bring Richard Petty's brand to GEM, making the team more marketable, especially to sponsors. Its true that the main reason Petty Enterprises was forced to fold was because of lack of sponsorship, but they also didn't have the technology GEM has in its garage. Finding new sponsorship means that the team can run four full time entries and no one loses their seat.
Finally, the team is going to have new management on board. It has always been effective to bring in new managers to organizations to shake things up and bring new ideas to the table. Dodge teams were not successful in 2008. This merger could once again make Dodge a competitor at NASCAR's highest level.
What about 'Dinger?
It's not exactly what Allmendinger wanted, but he is going to be driving part time for Gillette Evernham motorsports in a fourth car. The organization is hoping to find sponsorship so that they can run a fourth car for Allmendinger full time.
All the changes coming to GEM after the merger have made it easier for Sadler to retain his seat. Not only are the resources there for him to keep his job as driver of the #19, but there are also resources there so that Sadler can potentially work with a new teammate in AJ Allmendinger.
The Daytona 500 is only a month away. Hopefully for Sadler and Allmendinger, things will hash out nicely for the both of them.
