Robert Yates announced earlier today his intention
to retire as President of Robert Yates Racing following the last race
of the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup season.
Certain facets of Robert Yates Racing are being transferred to a new company presided over by Doug Yates.
The new entity will be called Yates Racing.
Robert Yates Racing will continue with its joint ownership of Roush Yates Racing Engines as well as other ventures.
“
As many of you know I announced at the Brickyard,
earlier this year,
my decision to enter into a partnership with Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing”, said Robert Yates.
“The goal of this partnership was to build a team to contend for the championship.
The
more I thought about it the more I realized instead this was the
perfect opportunity for me to pass the torch to the next generation.
I don’t know how to express my gratitude to the Newman/Haas/Lanigan group for their support and belief we could get to the top.
I’m closing this chapter of my life, and I cannot wait to see what is in store for me next.
Carolyn and I look forward to watching Doug build Yates Racing into a championship caliber team”.
Since
Robert Yates Racing was formed, the now two-car Cup team has posted 57
victories and 48 poles in addition to winning the 1999 NASCAR
championship with Dale Jarrett. Current Nextel Cup drivers Ricky Rudd
and David Gilliland pilot the No. 88 and No. 38 Ford Fusion’s,
respectively.
On February 11, 2007
at Daytona International Speedway, both of Robert Yates cars qualified
on the front row for the Daytona 500. David Gilliland qualified on the
pole with Ricky Rudd was alongside in second. Robert Yates
Racing also fields the No. 90 Ford Fusion driven by Stephen Leicht in
the NASCAR Busch Series. Drivers such as Davey Allison, Ernie Irvan,
Dale Jarrett, Ricky Rudd, Kenny Irwin, and Elliott Sadler have driven
for RYR.
