November 4, 2002

In the past few months we have seen an overload of information coming from Robert Yates Racing.

Let’s try to make sense of what went on.

In September of 1999 we saw Robert Yates announce that his good friend and favorite pal Ricky Rudd would pilot the No.28 Texaco/Havoline Ford for the 2000 season.

In that deal it was further announced that Michael “Fat Back” McSwain would be the crew chief. Mr. Back was noted as being a part of the Ricky Rudd No.10 racing team in which he was gainfully employed since May of 1999.

This partnership between Yates and Rudd seemed to be a good deal for all parties.

The start of the 2002 season would see Mr. Back and Ricky Rudd arm in arm with a huge press release talking about how they will make a run for the title with all the seriousness of every encyclopedia in the library.

It wasn’t too far into the 2002 season that we began to hear of problematic concerns from the Yates camp.

Mr. Back and Ricky had words that appeared in the press that set the tone.

After Rudd cut the deal with the Woods and Ford Motor Company he would go on to elaborate on some particulars.

Rudd stated that Doug Yates wanted Sadler and even went as far as promising him a slot at Yates which is a move I just can’t respect. In an interview with the Associated Press Robert Yates would state that “the reason we hired him (Sadler) was probably 90 percent because Fatback's push to get him”

As things started to heat up, Ricky Rudd would state in the press that Robert Yates Racing was not offering him the power it took to get the job done at the track. Rudd went on to suggest that the engine shop was against him and in turn was giving the good stuff to Dale Jarrett.

This infuriated Mr. Back and he would clearly stand with the official Yates line that Ricky was being treated fairly with equal power as compared to Jarrett.

Enter into the picture one Larry Lackey, whom had his fifteen minutes of fame by "sucker" punching Rudd after an event. Lackey was fined and later resigned from Yates.

This is the part that blows me away.

Mr. Back would also beg to be released from Yates after what was described in the press as a poor attempt from Sadler in testing. Sadler was so slow in testing that Mr. Back felt Sadler would drag the team down in 2003.

How do we go from Mr. Back singing the praises of Elliott Sadler to him walking out the door? Ricky Rudd would go on to say that he has no chance of breaking into the top ten now with Mr. Back leaving in such a rush. “nobody consulted me at all” Rudd said.

I think what we just witnessed was a deal that ripped a good chance at a title (2003) run in pieces. A degree of ego followed by bad decision has led Yates to this point.

Robert Yates would give up the No. 28 which has been a part of his history for many years. Also noted is the fact that Robert has his heart in the area of engine building, which is non exclusive to Ford.

I don’t look for great things from Elliott Sadler in 2003. They will call it a building year. The year will turn into two and Sadler will be out. I believe Mr. Back got mad at Ricky so he and Doug Yates conspired to get Elliott Sadler. Ricky got wind of it and showed them how miserable he could make it. I do however look for good things from Rudd in 2003. Ford has placed money with the Woods which will be put to good use.

The one thing I keep coming back to is the idea of Mr. Back voting the town dry and then leaving to go to greener pastures. We will see how it goes with the Coach Mr. Back. I can’t see the duct tape throwing in the pits as an option any more. I also think maybe you should count your blessings that Gibbs is giving you a shot.

You had everything to do with what went wrong at Yates Mr. Back. It took some time for it all to boil down but like any soup, the “Fat Back” always adds hidden flavor.

You can contact Joe at: Insider Racing News