Yates eyes possible 3-car team

With Ricky Rudd behind the wheel of his No. 88 Ford and a second sponsorship from Mars Inc., team owner Robert Yates said he’s intent on building his organization even more. Yates said sponsor CitiFinancial still plans to move into the Nextel Cup Series in 2008, hopefully, with driver Stephen Leicht, and if Rudd remains, would give Yates a three-car operation.

“Citi was going to come on (in 2006) as a Cup sponsor. But with Stephen we pushed a little bit too early and we weren’t ready with our equipment and we failed at Indianapolis (to make the field)," Yates said.

“Our adrenaline got sapped away and the decision was that Stephen needed another year behind him."

Yates said Mars Inc. and its Snickers brand, which will be on Rudd’s car, prefers not to look at their new arrangement as a one-year deal.

“If we do good with this deal, we’ll be a three-car team next season," he said." ThatsRacin.com