Perhaps Elliott Sadler will have Daytona 500 success with Kevin Harvick Inc. similar to his Truck Series win earlier this year in Pocono. Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images for NASCAR
Elliott Sadler may have given up his full-time Sprint Cup career for now, but another shot at a Daytona 500 win isn’t out of the question in 2011.
Kevin Harvick Inc., which up to now has been adamant about staying out of the Sprint Cup Series, may be thinking about putting together an entry for Sadler in The Great American Race.
“As the World Turns Left” spoke via phone to a Kevin Harvick Inc. representative on Monday concerning the possibility of KHI fielding a car for Sadler, an elite superspeedway racer who in 2009 missed out on hoisting the Harley J. Earl Trophy when he was passed by winner Matt Kenseth just before a rain delay.
The representative said there was a meeting that afternoon and that she would try to get an answer on whether KHI was considering the idea. On Tuesday morning she sent an e-mail saying she still didn’t have an answer and added, “I think we are really just seeing how everything is going to shake out.”
Since then “As the World Turns Left” has sent multiple e-mails requesting clarification, with no response.
Sadler will race full-time in the Nationwide Series for KHI in 2011, with 29 of the 35 races sponsored by CitiFinancial. CitiFinancial will execute a name change in 2011 and could use a Daytona 500 run as part of its rebranding.
Even if KHI chooses not to field a car for Harvick, a Daytona 500 ride for Sadler isn’t out of the question. KHI was unable to disclose whether Sadler’s contract with the company contains an exclusivity agreement. If not, Sadler would be an attractive choice to drive the Daytona 500 for one of many teams that will have a guaranteed starting spot in the race based on 2010 owners points but may not have funding to run the full season.
Among those teams are the No. 71 TRG entry, the two Front Row Motorsports teams currently in the top 35, Roger Penske’s No. 77 car that will likely be vacated by Sam Hornish and the four Richard Petty Motorsports entries that are currently in flux.
