Yates Cancels Press Conference
Friday, August 4th, 2006 2:14pm CDT
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.
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[thumb:381:l:s=1:l=x]According to Jayski, and confirmed by track officials at Indy, Robert Yates has cancelled the press conference that was scheduled for today at about 1pm EDT. Supposedly, whatever they were going to announce will be done so later on this month, with no date given.
Well well well now. Doesn’t this just play into the realm of creating further speculation.
What would cause something like this? Supposedly, the press conference was to announce the signing of David Gilliland to RYR.
Gilliland said last week he was close to a deal, and then this past Monday Clay Andrews Racing (whom David was driving for in the Busch Series) announced they were closing up shop, effective immediately.
Just form that, we can easily tell David is signed. Somewhere.
So what’s the reason to cancel the announcement, if indeed it was to announce Gilliland being signed?
Could it be that perhaps the sponsor that was going to be on the car had a change of heart? Not about sponsoring with Yates, but perhaps another driver?
Could Yates have worked out a better deal, or simply a different deal?
Perhaps instead of the rumored M&M’s, CitiFinancial could be moving up, and decided that someone most likely wouldn’t want financial advice from a 19yr old kid, and that a respectable home owner (who just happens to be a little older) would be a much better fit?
What about M&M’s? Could they realize that their deal, and the association with Pedigree, would be better served by someone with a strong wildlife background?
Ok, nobody knows.
The only thing for certain is that Yates is going to leave the world hanging, and for how long is anyone’s guess.
Filed Under: Nascar, Nextel Cup
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Update
According to Doug Yates:
Additional information from SceneDaily.com
Luke said this on August 4th, 2006 at 2:58 pm
Here is another update that includes a blockbuster rumor.
Marc said this on August 5th, 2006 at 1:05 pm
I did see that a day or two ago when browsing around. I’m not sure if it holds any weight though.
However, it isn’t as far fetched of an idea either.
The only concern, would be whether Robert Yates is willing to give it up. He’s worked hard to put together something to pass down the family tree, and a deal of this nature would kill it.
Then again, it is very interesting that Mark’s lips have been sealed shut in regards to anything past this season.
If this proves to be true, it would be one huge story.
But, where’s the benefit to Yates? I can see benefit for the other parties involved, directly or indirectly, but none for Yates other than one less headache and an opportunity to move on to other career goals.
However, he did make mention that he was interested in furthering his engine development to better benefit the country, vice just Nascar.
Interesting. Very interesting.
Not to mention, how could the timing be wrong on the press conference? They even flew Gilliland’s wife and kids out to Indy, and as one of the Speed reporter’s (I think it was Wendy) had caught the same flight, Gilliland’s wife mentioned she was invited out for a big press conference.
Yates wouldn’t do something like that, if there wasn’t a deal already inked with David. Also, I don’t think Clay Andrews would have closed their doors if there wasn’t something in ink for David.
So, the question is: “Why cancel the press conference?”
Gilliland’s deal was obviously inked, and Doug Yates even said “I think everybody knows who it is.”
Yes Doug, we do.
So, there’s definitely more to this story, other than David’s contract.
That being the case, what is it?
Is it M&M’s can’t decide what number they want on the car? I can’t see that as a reason to cancel. Simply say we’re working on the car number. MWR’s done that with DJ.
Could it be an issue of which sponsor will be working with David? Perhaps. Is that a reason to cancel? Maybe, but not necessarily. Why cancel, when you could further fuel speculation and gain more attention by simply announcing that David would be one of the new drivers for Yates, and leave it as that?
Then again, could there be an even bigger deal going on behind the scenes?
Ah, there we have it. Enter: Possibility.
Here’s a “what if” for ya.
Since usually where there’s smoke, there’s fire, what if it wasn’t a complete sell, but a partial one?
Whatever it is, Yates is playing the waiting game, and we are unfortunately left with out mouths watering for the details.
Luke said this on August 5th, 2006 at 1:29 pm