Sadler dumped from the 19 ride...

#1
DownNDirty

DownNDirty

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#1
In favor of Allmendinger. First let me say I really like Sadler and am a fan of his. I still don't know how good of a NASCAR driver he is honestly though. He started out in mediocre Wood Brothers cars then went to Yates when it was on the downward spiral and then last year GEM was a dumpster fire too - even Kahne didn't run that well most of the time.

Allmendinger jumped in the 10 car toward the end of the year and outperformed both Sadler and Kahne though. I think Allmendinger got a raw deal at Red Bull and I am happy for him to have got a ride. I just hope Sadler lands on his feet and it seems like he just might. The rumor on Jayski already is him either going to the 41 Ganassi/Earnhardt team or the 77 Penske team. I could see the 77 more because I fully expect Penske to ship Slammin Sammy back to the IRL to replace Helio next year since he's in that trouble over taxes.

If Sadler got either of those rides I think it would be good for him. I honestly don't think he's the most talented guy in the sport but is one that most of the sponsors love. In fact in the story of the release it sounded like some of the sponsors were not happy at all that Sadler got the boot. With people struggling to find sponsors for teams I do wonder if that was a bright move. Guess we'll see how things shake out but I'm really surprised that Sadler got the boot from GEM at this time of the year.

Sorenson better show SOMETHING this year or GEM will look like idiots. Allmendinger, IMO, will do well. But if Sorenson struggles then GEM won't look so smart getting rid of Sadler.
 
#2
#2
This came out of nowhere this week. Did anyone see this coming? I had heard that Allmendinger was going to be in a 4th car for GEM. I guess the deal between GEM and Petty didn't get done quick enough and they decided to go another route. If Sadler gets the 41 ride where does Bobby end up? Silly season is not only starting earlier it is dragging out longer too.
 
#3
#3
I thought B. Labonte was in the 41 car. In any case, I can see the why Allmindinger is more attractive than Sadler. He is getting more press, is a younger upcoming driver who will appeal to the demographics they want. I have always liked Sadler, but he has not been very competitive lately as far as winning.

I also think Red Bull didn't do 'Dinger right, probably a great motivational factor for him. But Scott Speed deserves a ride, one of the effects of the current economic situation.
 
#4
#4
jhen713 said:
This came out of nowhere this week. Did anyone see this coming? I had heard that Allmendinger was going to be in a 4th car for GEM. I guess the deal between GEM and Petty didn't get done quick enough and they decided to go another route. If Sadler gets the 41 ride where does Bobby end up? Silly season is not only starting earlier it is dragging out longer too.
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I have read this morning that Gillett is heavily leveraged over the deal where he bought out Ray last year. Also he bought a bunch of car dealerships which is hurting him and he owns part of the Liverpool team in the Premiership League in soccer and his payment is coming due on that. It said in the report I read he couldn't get the financing for the deal to buy out Davis and now the deal with Petty is falling through too for the same reason. Wonder if Petty will even field a car if the deal falls apart or just goes away completely?

This is the silliest season I've ever seen. I have a feeling it will get progressively worse too for at least the next year or two. I still expect Bobby Labonte to land in the 41 car but they will still need a sponsor.
 
#5
#5
I thought they still had Target on the 41 for next year and just needed a driver. It will be interesting none the less. I just don't see a competitive ride for Sadler to take. I would run a full natinwide-truck ride before I took a part time Cup ride and rode around in the back 4 laps down every week.
 
#6
#6
jhen713 said:
I thought they still had Target on the 41 for next year and just needed a driver. It will be interesting none the less. I just don't see a competitive ride for Sadler to take. I would run a full natinwide-truck ride before I took a part time Cup ride and rode around in the back 4 laps down every week.
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I understand where you are coming from, but you would be making less than half the money. Most drivers these days seem to want the money and prestige of Cup over being competitive in a lesser series.
 
#7
#7
rbroyles said:
I understand where you are coming from, but you would be making less than half the money. Most drivers these days seem to want the money and prestige of Cup over being competitive in a lesser series.
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I have two things to say on this and these are just my feelings:

1. I feel that either the 41 car or the 77 car would be a lateral move for Sadler. They both "may" even be better cars than he was driving last season. So to me its not like he would be stepping down for sure.

2. I can't blame the guys in a way for not wanting to drop down to Nationwide or Trucks. When guys go down there it seems that Cup owners don't want to touch them anymore for the most part - like they are damaged goods. How many guys that have been in Cup and went down to Trucks or Nationwide came back to Cup and been successful? I can't think of anyone really off of the top of my head. I don't necessarily agree with that but it is the way it seems to be. I honestly think Johnny Benson could be put in a good Cup ride and do what Jeff Burton does at RCR. And others have had the same kind of deal in the past that just couldn't get the Cup rides again because they had been shipped to the "minor leagues" and never gave a chance again.
 
#8
#8
DownNDirty said:
I have two things to say on this and these are just my feelings:


2. I can't blame the guys in a way for not wanting to drop down to Nationwide or Trucks. When guys go down there it seems that Cup owners don't want to touch them anymore for the most part - like they are damaged goods. How many guys that have been in Cup and went down to Trucks or Nationwide came back to Cup and been successful? I can't think of anyone really off of the top of my head. I don't necessarily agree with that but it is the way it seems to be. I honestly think Johnny Benson could be put in a good Cup ride and do what Jeff Burton does at RCR. And others have had the same kind of deal in the past that just couldn't get the Cup rides again because they had been shipped to the "minor leagues" and never gave a chance again.
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I agree with this, including Benson. I seem to remember a driver or two that came back to Cup from the Busch Series back in the 80's, but I cannot get them out of my brain. No one comes to mind lately.
 
#9
#9
Finally, Sadler is a Michael Waltrip clone. He's a celebrity first, then driver. It just so happens that he's one of the worst drivers on the circuit.
 
#10
#10
TennesseeFan07 said:
Finally, Sadler is a Michael Waltrip clone. He's a celebrity first, then driver. It just so happens that he's one of the worst drivers on the circuit.
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I don't know for sure, he's driven junk most of his career. He runs pretty good on the road courses and he runs well, or has run well at Texas.
 
#13
#13
TennesseeFan07 said:
Finally, Sadler is a Michael Waltrip clone. He's a celebrity first, then driver. It just so happens that he's one of the worst drivers on the circuit.
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He's at least won some races at tracks where his team didn't have a clear advantage at the time.

Not that I think much of Sadler, but I wouldn't put him or many others down at MW's level.
 
#14
#14
tidwell said:
He's at least won some races at tracks where his team didn't have a clear advantage at the time.

Not that I think much of Sadler, but I wouldn't put him or many others down at MW's level.
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:rock: Sadler has talent, or at least he had it, but he has followed MW's formula for mediocrity. His infamous "mosh pit" dive on the night before the race show gave an insight to his intelligence.
 
#15
#15
I like Sadler. I hope he gets a good ride soon. I agree that Sadler is not the caliber of Tony Stewart,Jeff Gordon,or Jimmie Johnson but Sadler still has won races and has the kind of personality that fans, sponsors, and marketers like. I wish him well in finding a new ride though Bobby Labonte is my favorite.
 
#16
#16
WOW........


UPDATE: Gillett Evernham Motorsports and driver Elliott Sadler have reached an agreement that enables Sadler to retain his position as driver of the team's #19 Dodge, thereby moving AJ Allmendinger to a part-time ride, multiple GEM sources told ESPN.com. It seems Allmendinger will drive a fourth GEM Dodge on a limited basis.(ESPN.com)(1-9-2009)


Guess GEM couldn't afford to buy Sadler out. That tells me how much money Gillette has laying around. I feel for AJA. I bet that Sadler won't be invited to any company picnics either. Since they do have a sponsor for the car I wouldn't imagine they will sabotage the car or anything on Elliott but who wants to bet he gets the poorest cars out of the stable and the hand me down crew too?
 
#17
#17
It will be interesting for sure. So much of todays success is built on chemistry. I can't vision too much chemistry on the 19 team. Sadler is not going to do his reputation any justice driving for a team that really doesn't want him there. It's going to make him look worse than he already does.
 
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