Rudd back in Cup

Ricky Rudd and Robert Yates Racing announced a deal that will put Rudd back in a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series car for the 2007 season.
Masterfoods USA, which sponsors the No. 38 car for David Gilliland at Robert Yates Racing, will also back Rudd.
M&Ms chocolate candies will be on Gilliland's car. Snickers will be on Rudd's.
“When I took a break from racing at the end of 2005, I knew that I would return to competition if the right opportunity presented itself,� Rudd said. “Returning to Robert Yates Racing and partnering with Snickers was the ride to get me back into competition full time. In today’s market, you have to have a multi-car organization to be competitive and win races and with Masterfoods’ support I believe we have the ability to do both of those next year."
Rudd is a 31-year veteran of the NASCAR Cup Series and raced for RYR in 2000, 2001 and 2002. The Virginia native took home rookie of the year honors following the 1977 Cup season and went on to win races in 16 consecutive seasons, a feat he shares only with retired driver Rusty Wallace. One of NASCAR’s top 50 drivers of all time and known as NASCAR’s Iron Man, Rudd currently holds the record for most consecutive starts at 788.
“When we were looking for sponsors for the second team, we wanted a company that would complement the powerful brands Masterfoods USA represents," said team owner Robert Yates. " We could not possibly ask for a better fit than to add one of their own brands as the sponsor for our second team. Masterfoods has been a loyal supporter of our sport for nearly 15 years and we look forward to our two teams being united under Snickers and M&M’S next season.�
Next year will mark the 14th season for Masterfoods USA as a primary sponsor in NASCAR’s Cup Series and the fifth with the Yates family. The famous candy maker joined the Cup ranks in 1990, running its first three seasons under the Snickers moniker. After serving as an associate sponsor for four seasons, the company returned with Skittles colors in 1997 before transitioning to M&M’S Brand Candies in 1999.
“The opportunity to sponsor a second NEXTEL Cup Team at Robert Yates Racing is exciting for both our brands and our associates at Masterfoods USA,� said William Clements, director of Sponsorships and Sports Marketing for Masterfoods USA. “With this second sponsorship, we can now showcase other Masterfoods brands, such as Snickers, in partnership with M&M’S Chocolate Candies. The addition of Ricky Rudd, who provides over 30 years of experience, will bring added leadership for the entire organization as well as assist in the continued development of David Gilliland. We strongly believe that this additional sponsorship and Ricky’s experience strengthen our program as a whole and positions both teams for great success in 2007.�
Rudd added: “I look forward to working closely with David and Todd (Parrott, crew chief of the No. 38 Team) next season. David has shown tremendous talent in his time behind the wheel of a NEXTEL Cup car and with the resources we will share at RYR, our goal is to put Robert Yates Racing back on top.�