Menard Leaving DEI For Yates

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Paul Menard will leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. at the end of the season to drive for Yates Racing, The Associated Press has learned.
Menard is expected to announce Tuesday that both he and his sponsorship will move to Yates, a person familiar with Menard's decision told The AP. The person requested anonymity because Menard had yet to make his announcement.
The loss could ultimately cripple DEI because Menard's sponsor is his father's midwest-based hardware chain. The loss of driver and sponsor leaves DEI with just one full-time sponsor and three drivers signed for next season.
DEI is a four-car team this year, but has lacked full sponsorship for rookie Regan Smith's team all season.

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Permalink Reply by FlyHiFlyLo on September 30, 2008 at 6:13pm

You never know.... If Roush gets the 16 or 99 to win the championship he may send the 17 over to Yates with the PCP. You may see the 17 at Yates. Perhaps even a 27 or 37 could be added for Paul and Points transfered from the 17.

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Permalink Reply by NIKAL on September 30, 2008 at 7:12pm

I'm still thinking that there is a bigger plan if Yates is trying to have 3 teams next year. There is no way John Menard would pull Paul and their sponsorship away from a team that is locked into the top 35 and be a new 3rd team at Yates. They have been in that situation before and the only way Paul got in the top 35 that first year was because of the buyout of GINN. And I just cant see Yates giving the #28 or #38 to Menard as they are looking for sponsorship for those two cars. And without being able to sell those teams as top 35 teams you will have a really hard time getting a sponsor for them.

My thought is that Menard will go to DEI and buy the points from either the #01 or #15. Its not like DEI is going to have drivers or sponsors for those teams. So DEI's best bet would be to sell the points for some big money and move on.

Also watch for RCR to get points for his #33 team from DEI. If Menard does not buy them from DEI, RCR will get them. Just my guess a course!

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Permalink Reply by Mike/WC77 on September 30, 2008 at 7:26pm

I was thinking the same thing Fly. I got to thinking about that angle this afternoon. Matt would be a great mentor for those guys at Yates. Why send the 26 packing, when Jmac/Ragan going there would just create a 2nd tier Roush roster. If their gonna be competitive, they need somebody with some real solid knowledge.

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Permalink Reply by Lance on October 1, 2008 at 7:57am

No way to make it a 4 car deal. They have to take on the 5th Roush car at the end of 2009. They could have #28, #38 and #7. But that probably won't happen.

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Permalink Reply by Matt on September 30, 2008 at 8:48pm

Another made up news break?

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Permalink Reply by Lance on October 1, 2008 at 7:57am

BOOOOOOOOOOO!

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Permalink Reply by GrayAntiMatter on September 30, 2008 at 10:16pm

If the two choices are:

1. Continue as RGM in Dodge's getting engines from Penske

or

2. Continue as RGM in Ford's getting engines from Yates

It doesn't really matter. Unless he has a true cooperative relationship in place, it just won't matter. He could go to Chevy with engines from RCR or HMS, maybe Toyota with engines from JGR. It will not make any difference. And even then unless he gets a CC that he listens too, it will be another season where people start talking about Sears Point sometime in mid-March, hoping....