Elliott Sadler is Back
Dale Jr & Girlfriend Amy Reinman | Photo
Elliott Sadler Back in the 19 Car
On the heels of yesterday’s announcement that the merger between Gillette Evernham Motorsports and Petty Enterprises was a done deal it was announced that Elliott Sadler would be back in the No. 19 Dodge for 2009 after all.
This is a pretty strange story that started just after Christmas when Tara Ragan, the business manager for A.J. Allmendinger, said that Allmendinger would drive the No. 19 next year after finishing the season in GEM’s No. 10 car.
The story got even stranger when Elliott Sadler’s attorney filed an order in Superior Court – not asking for money – but demanding that Sadler drive the car.
We will probably never get the full story from GEM on exactly what happened, or why it was handled this way, but it appears that one of two things happened.
Either GEM backed down when Sadler threatened legal action, or GEM was simply using Allmendinger as a bargaining chip to gain concessions from Sadler.
Tom Redden, the CEO of Gillette Evernham Motorsports, indicated there issues between Sadler and the race team that have now been resolved. “We have our differences. But we get those settled and resolved and we move on. We had some differences with Elliott, but we’re a family and we have everything resolved,” said Redden on Sirius Radio’s ‘The Morning Drive’ Friday.
If I were Kasey Kahne I’d be looking for a ride in another car right now. At least to keep the options open.
Now it’s Allmendinger who is once again looking for work. Although GEM has promised him a part-time 8 race deal, and has indicated a full time ride might be available if a sponsor could be found.
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