Yates said there�s a "realistic" chance that RYR could go to three Cup teams next season if 44-year-old Ward Burton, who has been out of Cup the past two seasons, comes up with a sponsor.
Citifinancial and M&M�s, according to team officials, are looking for younger drivers such as Leicht, 19, and Gilliland, 30.
"If Ward walked in with a sponsor today we�d say, �Ward, you�ve got the ride,�" Yates said.
ROOM FOR CARMICHAEL IN CUP?
If Motocross racer Ricky Carmichael wants to give NASCAR a try, Joe Gibbs Racing will find a seat for him. J.D. Gibbs said Sunday the team has had preliminary discussions with Carmichael, who many consider the greatest motocross racer of all time.
"We�re just talking to him, like a "Hey, if it ever comes up and you are interested in doing something, let�s brainstorm,� " Gibbs said.
Both Gibbs and his brother, Coy, are huge motocross fans and have followed the 26-year-old Carmichael�s career. He holds the all-time record for wins and championships in AMA competition, and has never lost an outdoor competition. He�s expected to make the 2007 season his final one in Motocross, and Gibbs said he didn�t think it would take him long to adjust to stock-cars if Carmichael wanted to give them a try.
"I think Ricky would be on a super quick learning curve, it�s just a matter of what he wants to do," Gibbs said. "But we�d love to sit down and maybe work something out with him in the future. But for now, we�re just excited about what he represents, the fans that he has and maybe in bringing him over here - I really think he would love running this stuff."
