David Gilliland’s second-place at Infineon moved Yates Racing, only seven months old, to firmer ground on the viability scale in Sprint Cup.
For an organization trying to attract major sponsors for its two cars next season, the team’s first top-five finish was an important benchmark. In fact, 16 races into the season, Yates Racing is one of NASCAR’s surprising success stories.
This is a team with a familiar name under new management. Team founder Robert Yates retired following the 2007 season, selling to son Doug and Max Jones. They received top-35 points for two cars—guaranteeing them starting positions for the opening five races of this season—transporters and pit equipment. The team has always had a strong relationship with Ford and it pledged to continue supporting Yates.
Gilliland, 28th in the points last season, was retained. Travis Kvapil, who spent two miserable years in Cup in 2005 and 2006, was given a second chance after spending 2007 in NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series. Ricky Rudd, who retired, had driven the second RYR entry to 33rd in the points in 2007.
With 10 races to go until the Chase for the Cup begins, Kvapil is 18th in points and has three top-10s; Gilliland is 21st and has one other top-10 in addition to his second place at Infineon.
“We started this team on Dec. 1 and in the beginning nobody gave us a chance of surviving,” Jones said. “We’re doing well. From a team aspect, we’re arriving. A lot of people who I have respect for said we have to be patient, and a lot of people have said we’re way ahead of schedule.
“David drove a great race at Bristol this year and finished ninth. He had a top-10 at Charlotte [Lowe’s] and a tire fell out of the sky and ruined it. If you can drive at Infineon, you can drive anywhere. It means you’re well rounded.”
“Travis had won races and a championship in Trucks,” Jones said. “He was still young. We wanted two young guys we could build for the future with.”
“Our season is a tribute to those who stuck with us when we had all-white cars in February,” Jones said. “We thought we could make it work and we have. We’ve had David’s sponsor and one-offs for Travis and support from the Ford Motor Company. They believe in what we’re doing.
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