What's the deal with RYR?

[Cowboy271]

I can't help but wonder what's happening with Robert Yates Racing after the recent DEI rumors.  I realize something's been amiss there for some time, but don't have any supporting facts.  It struck me as strange in some ways when there was an agreement between Roush and RYR (last year I believe) to help Roush with their engine program.  Shortly afterwards Robert made some sort of announcement transferring day-to-day operations of RYR to his son Doug.  Not long afterwards, the driver and sponsor exodus began.  A couple of months ago Robby Gordon Racing was in discussion with Yates regarding a merger or purchase of Yates, but that fell through.  Now apparently DEI is negotiating with Yates.

I don't have any inside information and any thing I say is shear speculation.  The Roush/Yates deal apperently didn't work too well; at least I haven't heard anything more about Roush using Yates powerplants, but this hasn't really been a banner year for Roush.  The exodus (or at least rumors)  began shortly after Robert said he was transferring most of the operation to Doug.  Strangely, when the rumors began, all quotes from RYR were attributed to Robert.  I don't recall much or any comment from Doug.  Most all comments regarding sponsorship/driver for the 88 car came from Robert.  The Robby Gordon rumors really got me thinking...then the DEI thing arose this week.

Here's my take on the whole thing and I MAY BE WRONG (I'm married, so most likely I am wrong):
The Roush/RYR deal was orchestrated by Ford to attempt to strengthen the entire Ford program.  The success/failure of the program wasn't the fault of either operation, but more of Ford's diminishing interest in NASCAR.  Ford is hemorraging money like a wino with his welfare check.  I know all the manufacturers currently racing in NASCAR are losing money but not on the scale Ford is.  I really FEEL that Robert Yates is tired of the dog and pony show currently touted as "NASCAR".  He's been in NASCAR a long time, since the Holman-Moody days I believe; when the cars were almost stock, the drivers were real and NASCAR actually included racing.  It also seems Doug wasn't too thrilled with the responsibilities thrust upon him and quietly pitched the ball back into Dad's lap.  I think that was the straw leading to the Robby Gordon negotiations.  I never thought for a moment that Gordon would jeapordize his GM ties (contrary to comments regarding Gordon's previous Ford ties).  Gordon has strong GM ties with his cup and off road programs and just couldn't see him risking a change.  Finally, DEI is interested in the entire RYR operation or nothing according to Ed Hensen and Tom Jensen on "Windtunnel" tonight.  According to their reports, DEI is only interested in expanding their operation and possibly gaining a top 35 slot for Paul Menard next year.  I really don't believe Ford gives a rat's petunia about NASCAR or Mark Martin wouldn't be racing a Chey in Cup and a Ford in truck next year.

I'm sorry for all the questions/thoughts, but I'd really like some more factual, insightful info regarding this madness.  Personally, I doubt Ford will be in NASCAR beyond 2008 the way things are currently running.

[Chris]

I kinda think ALL manufacture support will withdraw from Nascar when the CoT is being used 100% (starting in 2009)
Same time table you said Cowboy... Really when you use common sense,.. WHY would they pour millions of dollars into something when Nascar is going to be using a Generic car that looks like NOTHING that is on the road or that anyone can go to a car dealership and buy.
Smart (ie small) teams will be aligning themselves all together NOW so they can just SURVIVE when that period gets here.
Be VERY tough for a single car (or even two car) team to survive with out ANY factory support of any kind.
It'll just be a bigger gap between the 'haves' and the 'have nots'

[smyler]

It really is sad that history means nothing to Brian France.  He's king of a little world that he wants to get bigger.  Problem is that the ratings are not going up.  In a way, I'm kind of glad about that.  I would love more people to like racing, but maybe this will awaken something in Brian to help him see things more from a fans perspective and less as how can I get more money from the masses.  Nah, he'll never change.

In the mean time, great people like the Yates and Woods families are paying the price.  I know this topic isn't supposed to be about the COT but I really believe that it will cause the beginning of the end of the positive momentum that has been building for so many years.  I'm not really an open wheel fan, but I'm actually thinking of learning more about it so that I care less about Cup.  Thing is, I LOVE 90% of what happens in NASCAR.  The thing isn't just about racing.  It's the people.  The teams, the drivers, the owners and the fans are simply great.  The folks in Daytona, well, them I can live without. 

[Cowboy271]

Chris, smyler;

Thanks for the feedback...good to know I'm not the only one sensing this change coming about.  I'm saddened by the prospects of the change's....it'll probably be the end of my NASCAR following days.  I can vividly recall the days when Manufacturers were very competitive with each other, even to the point of different makes within the same Manufacturer battling.  Ford vs. Mercury, Chevy vs Pontiac vs Buick vs Olds, etc.  Those days have been gone for over twenty years. 
Thanks again for your support.

[Chris]

OH YEAH,,... I remember those days...
Saw many of those races in person... The T-Bird vs the Mercury, and the Buick, Olds, Grand Prix, etc all in the same race.
Made for a heck of a "Manufactures" championship

Yeah,.. I say,.. even though we gonna have the CoT... I'm gonna give them a chance.
May make the racing even better than before.??