Elliott Sadler May Run Daytona 500 for Childress, and Possibly the First 5 Races

"Elliott Sadler confirmed that talks are underway to put him in a Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet for the 2012 Daytona 500. "I've said before if I got chance to be in competitive Cup car again, I would jump at the chance," said Sadler in an exclusive interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody. "Richard Childress and I have had some conversations, but what we really need is sponsorship, We're getting close to getting that done, but there's nothing done yet. I can't confirm anything right now, but I am damn sure pulling for it to happen." RCR will field full-time Sprint Cup Series entries in 2012 for drivers #31-Jeff Burton, #29-Kevin Harvick and #27-Paul Menard, but has an additional guaranteed starting spot in the first five races of this season; earned a year ago by Clint Bowyer's #33 Chevy. Sadler is expected to wheel the #33, if a financial backer can be found.(sirius-speedway.com)(1-25-2012)"

Credit to Jayski. Sadler is still a good driver, as proved last year in the Nationwide Series. I think it would be great if he returned to Cup because last year's season was like a year for him to re-coop in NASCAR after running 10 straight years full time in Cup. I think he just needed to get his confidence back up to run against guys like Jimmie Johnson by running against lower-tier drivers in the Nationwide Series. BTW, I think a financial backer can be found for Sadler. His run for KHI last year will land him a sponsor, and I think we have another full time Cup team on our teams.

I hope so. Sadler's been one of my favorites since I started watching NASCAR.

rightdrive1 wrote: Sadler is still a good driver, as proved last year in the Nationwide Series

Lost to Stenhouse in a KHI car...and only finished 2nd due to his closest contenders being booted from their rides/failing all over the place

Its official. And Includes Brendan Gaughan!

Sadler to run Daytona 500 for RCR: General Mills and The Kroger Co. announced it will partner with Richard Childress Racing and veteran driver Elliott Sadler on the #33 Chevy for the 54th annual Daytona 500 on February 26, 2012 at Daytona International Speedway. "It's great to be back in the Daytona 500. I've had a lot of success in this race in the past and want to thank General Mills, Kroger and Richard Childress for this opportunity," said Elliott Sadler. "When we started putting this program together the first thing that came to mind is how strong RCR's plate program has always been. We're going to go out and have a legitimate chance to win the race. Speedweeks can't get here soon enough!" General Mills, entering its fourth year of partnership with the Welcome, N.C.-based organization, is teaming up with The Kroger Co. for a special paint scheme celebrating the great brands from both organizations. The special red, white and blue paint scheme adorning Sadler's Chevrolet for "The Great American Race" will feature the Kroger Co. Family of Stores, Fred Meyer Jewelers and several General Mills brands. The Minneapolis, Minn.-based General Mills also sponsors RCR's #31 Wheaties Chevy with driver Jeff Burton. Leading the effort for the #33 team will be veteran crew chief Gil Martin, RCR's NASCAR Nationwide Series program team manager. Martin has been at RCR since 2000 and has served as crew chief for Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer, Casey Mears, Kerry Earnhardt and Robby Gordon. He is one of a select few crew chiefs to win races in NASCAR's Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series. Childress, a two-time Daytona 500 champion car owner, will use owner points accumulated during the 2011 Sprint Cup Series season to field the #33 Chevrolet entry as the team finished 13th in the final 2011 owner point standings.(RCR), see images of the schemes on my #33 Team Schemes page.(1-25-2012)

Gaughan to run limited scheduled for RCR: Brendan Gaughan will compete in four races on the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule, driving Richard Childress Racing's #33 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Impala in addition to his previously announced 18-race NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule with the Welcome, N.C.  based race team. Leading the effort for the #33 team will be veteran crew chief Gil Martin, RCR's Nationwide Series program team manager. Martin has been at RCR since 2000 and has served as crew chief for Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer, Casey Mears, Kerry Earnhardt and Robby Gordon. He is one of a select few crew chiefs to win races in NASCAR's Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series. "The opportunity to run four races for Richard Childress in the Sprint Cup Series is truly amazing,' said Gaughan. "RCR has top-notch equipment and teamed me with a winning crew chief in Gil Martin. Everyone deserves a second chance and I am ecstatic that my second chance in the Sprint Cup Series is in the #33 Chevrolet with RCR." Gaughan's four-race Sprint Cup Series schedule will start at Phoenix in March at the 2nd race of the season, followed by the next three races of the season at Las Vegas, Bristol and Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA. RCR's No. 33 team finished 13th in final 2011 owner point standings and is locked into the first five races of the season.(RCR), see images of the schemes on my #33 Team Schemes page.(1-25-2012)

Hooray!!

Alta wrote:Lost to Stenhouse in a KHI car...and only finished 2nd due to his closest contenders being booted from their rides/failing all over the place

Would Stenhouse have been that good if he wasn't in the same Roush equipment thats basically been dominating Nationwide? Lets not forget this is the same moron who even by wrecking a guy, couldn't get a championship.

Good for Elliott. He's in a good car with a good crew and good equipment. Maybe he'll surprise us in these few races.