Sources: Gillett Evernham putting Allmendinger in Sadler's No. 19 Dodge

By Marty Smith
ESPN.com
(Archive)

Updated: December 27, 2008, 4:50 PM ET

AJ Allmendinger is set to replace Elliott Sadler in the No. 19 Dodge in 2009, multiple Gillett Evernham Motorsports team sources told ESPN.com Saturday.
GEM CEO Tom Reddin told team employees and sponsors the news just before Christmas, causing some sponsors to consider leaving, according to team sources.

Reached for comment Saturday, GEM spokesman Drew Brown chose not to comment.

Sources also said Ray Evernham, who founded the team and sold majority ownership to George Gillett, cleared out all personal possessions from the team's shop, including the 2002 Brickyard 400 trophy he won as owner of Bill Elliott's No. 9 Dodge.

Calls placed to Evernham and Sadler's representation were not immediately returned.

http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/news/story?id=3795001

Who says news doesn't break on a holiday weekend!

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Permalink Reply by wilks7 on December 27, 2008 at 6:30pm

thank god for RG staying on his own.....

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Permalink Reply by alan4s on December 27, 2008 at 6:33pm

And thank God for the GEM/RGM deal falling through earlier this year. What a stinking mess.

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Permalink Reply by WJM on December 27, 2008 at 7:39pm

Merry Christmas, Elliott. I always thought you were over-rated.

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Permalink Reply by Dyno_Don on December 28, 2008 at 3:35pm

Agreed, Elliot is over rated!

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Permalink Reply by john mcglasson on December 27, 2008 at 8:15pm

...And things were a little more right with the world...

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Permalink Reply by john mcglasson on December 27, 2008 at 9:55pm

AJ is a star driver, they're lucky to have him. Elliot SUCKS.

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Permalink Reply by TOG on December 27, 2008 at 10:08pm

I agree. Sadler is a hack. Funny how Elliott wanted to leave Yates when he found out RG was trying to buy the place.

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Permalink Reply by Lance on December 28, 2008 at 2:41pm

Couldn't agree more. Elliott Sadler is a turd and this is just karma paying him back for this comment

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Permalink Reply by Jason Coffin on December 27, 2008 at 11:12pm

more silly season shit WTF!!!

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Permalink Reply by robbyfansinceimsa on December 27, 2008 at 11:29pm

I think AJ is screwed at GEM, Dodge will have little if any factory support, sponsors are bolting for the door because for whatever reason they like Sadler and all they really have is Budweiser pouring a ton of money to run Kasey Kahne. I wish open wheel or sportscars could pay AJ to drive and really see how talented he is.

matt

matt

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Permalink Reply by Bigzoom on December 28, 2008 at 12:26am

Heard some of Sadler's sponsors could follow him to another team. The #41 at DEI or the #43 at Petty (Rumored to be merging with GEM, not sure how that would play out).

Bobby Labonte was a shoe in at DEI until his sponsor pulled out. DEI has been working hard to get some type of sponsor package by using Bobby Labonte as a selling benefit. Word is if Sadler can pull some of his sponsors then he would be a possibility(No word of which sponsors are wanting stick with Sadler, Best Buy or Stanley Tools)

I'm sure more info will come soon and should be connected to Evernham somehow since Ray hired Sadler away from Yates. Word is Ray has sold all interest and is no longer involved with GEM anymore...due to speculation Dodge might leave the sport?

There's alot of rumors swirling around that organization and I'm geyying some conflicting scoops. Have see how some things shake out the next few days. I'm sure Sadler will shed some light soon.

Thank God Robby didn't end up over there!