| Just a few weeks ago, Elliot Sadler thought that he | | | | times ahead. It was only by chance that Allmendinger |
| was out of a ride in 2009. After the threat of a | | | | had the opportunity with GEM. |
| lawsuit and Gillette Evernham Motorsports' merger | | | | Considering the situation, Allmendinger can empathize |
| imminent merger with Petty Enterprises, it appears | | | | with Sadler, but Allmendinger doesn't forget that he |
| that Sadler will be driving the #19 Dodge next | | | | is also battling for a ride. |
| season. Multiple sources have confirmed to Fox | | | | Despite all the rumors that had been floating around, |
| Sports that Sadler will be back with GEM after all. | | | | Allmendinger has not signed a contract with Gillette |
| Rumors had been swirling that AJ Allmendinger was | | | | Evernham Motorsports and is still a free agent looking |
| replacing Sadler in the #19 Dodge for Gillette | | | | for a ride in 2009. |
| Evernham Motorsports beginning in 2009. Allmendinger | | | | What changed after the merger with Petty |
| impressed many, including owner George Gillette, with | | | | Enterprises? |
| his performance in the final five races of the season | | | | The news that Sadler was likely staying in the #19 |
| in the #10 GEM Dodge. | | | | came the same day that the team announced its |
| Just before Christmas, Sadler learned that GEM was | | | | plans to merge with Petty Enterprises. What changed |
| in negotiations with Allmendinger to replace him in the | | | | since the merger? |
| #19, despite signing a two year extension with the | | | | The merger with Petty Enterprises brings Gillette |
| team in June. What made it worse for Sadler was | | | | Evernham Motorsports a few opportunities. |
| that the news was broken to him by one of his | | | | First, the team will acquire the Petty's cars, tools, and |
| current sponsors. Obviously the news was a shock | | | | other equipment, making it logistically easier to run a |
| to the driver. | | | | fourth car in the Sprint Cup Series. The team does |
| All Elliot Sadler wants to do is drive | | | | not have to build cars from scratch, which is often |
| Most driver's contracts have a buyout clause and it is | | | | very costly to do. Hiring a crew will not be difficult, |
| likely that Gillette Evernham Motorsports would have | | | | considering the amount of talented individuals who |
| honored that clause. But that wasn't enough for | | | | have lost their jobs as a result of the recession |
| Sadler. After hearing the news of his impending | | | | Secondly, the merger will bring Richard Petty's brand |
| release, Sadler immediately hired a lawyer and began | | | | to GEM, making the team more marketable, |
| filing the appropriate documents to block his release | | | | especially to sponsors. Its true that the main reason |
| from the team. He was preparing to sue Gillette | | | | Petty Enterprises was forced to fold was because of |
| Evernham Motorsports, George Gillette, Ray | | | | lack of sponsorship, but they also didn't have the |
| Evernham, and AJ Allmendinger. | | | | technology GEM has in its garage. Finding new |
| The economy has made it difficult for teams to | | | | sponsorship means that the team can run four full |
| continue operating with virtually no budget. | | | | time entries and no one loses their seat. |
| Sponsorship is scarce and, therefore, so are good | | | | Finally, the team is going to have new management |
| rides. Sadler, and every other driver, knows this all | | | | on board. It has always been effective to bring in |
| too well. | | | | new managers to organizations to shake things up |
| So when any other driver under the same | | | | and bring new ideas to the table. Dodge teams were |
| circumstances would have simply held a grudge and | | | | not successful in 2008. This merger could once again |
| moved on to another team, Sadler realized he didn't | | | | make Dodge a competitor at NASCAR's highest level. |
| have that luxury. He had to fight for what would | | | | What about 'Dinger? |
| likely be his only driving opportunity in 2009. | | | | It's not exactly what Allmendinger wanted, but he |
| Allmendinger could empathize with Sadler | | | | is going to be driving part time for Gillette Evernham |
| AJ Allmendinger was in a similar situation only a few | | | | motorsports in a fourth car. The organization is |
| months ago. | | | | hoping to find sponsorship so that they can run a |
| Red Bull Racing has been working on developing the | | | | fourth car for Allmendinger full time. |
| stock car skills of former F1 driver Scott Speed for | | | | All the changes coming to GEM after the merger |
| the last year. Speed took over the driving duties for | | | | have made it easier for Sadler to retain his seat. Not |
| Allmendinger with six races to go in the 2008 Sprint | | | | only are the resources there for him to keep his job |
| Cup season, leaving Allmendinger searching for a new | | | | as driver of the #19, but there are also resources |
| opportunity. By that point, most NASCAR teams | | | | there so that Sadler can potentially work with a new |
| were beginning to feel the brunt of the economic | | | | teammate in AJ Allmendinger. |
| downturn and were hunkering down for difficult | | | | |