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Sadler to return to No. 19 in 2009
"We are a family," said Tom Reddin, GEM CEO, in a release. "Sometimes in a family you have differences. We have resolved all differences. We are moving on and excited about heading to Daytona."
A new era for Petty
News of Sadler's return was first reported by FOXSports.com on Jan. 8, the same day that officials with GEM and Petty Holdings announced they had reached a deal to merge.
"I want to drive. I'm a racer and that's what I do," said Sadler. "We are all on the same page now and I think you will see that show on the track."
On Jan. 2, an attorney representing Sadler filed notice in court saying GEM breached its contract with the driver to helm the No. 19 Dodge, according to the Charlotte Observer.
George Gillett, Gillett Evernham Motorsports, Allmendinger and Ray Evernham Enterprises were named as defendants.
John Buric, Sadler's lawyer, said they learned on Dec. 30 that the team had been in negotiations with Allmedinger about driving the No. 19 Dodge for 2009, the Observer said.
According to the filed notice, Sadler wanted to seek "injunctive relief, declaratory relief/specific performance, consequential and punitive damages as a result of Defendants anticipatory and actual breach of Plaintiffs' Driving Services Agreement."
Sadler joined Evernham Motorsports in August 2006 and has a total of three wins in 357 career races. He ended 2008 in 24th in the overall standings, finishing 16th or better in 12 of 36 races. In contrast, Allmendinger drove five races in 2008 for GEM, finishing 16th or better in four of them.
Prior to driving for GEM, Allmendinger drove full-time for Team Red Bull, qualifying for 39 races over a year-and-a-half span. He was released by TRB following the Kansas Cup race in September, where he earned his career best finish of ninth.
Sadler signed a contract extension in 2008 that was set to keep him at GEM through the 2010 season.
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