Lee Spencer

DAVIDSON, N.C. - Ricky Rudd's self-imposed vacation from racing is over.

After nearly a year off from NASCAR Nextel Cup racing, Rudd and Robert Yates have agreed to join forces once again in what will prove to be more than just a nostalgic joyride down memory lane. Rudd, 50, replaces Dale Jarrett, his former teammate at Robert Yates Racing for three seasons starting in 2000. Jarrett has since joined Michael Waltrip Racing. Butch Hylton will continue in his role as the Yates team's crew chief.

Yates introduced the No. 88 in 1995, but in what could be a strange, yet positive, turn of events, it's likely Rudd will be reviving his former car number -- the 28 -- one of the most popular numbers in NASCAR. RYR first carried the No. 28 when the team was purchased from Ranier Racing in 1988. Davey Allison, Ernie Irvan and Kenny Irwin drove the No. 28 Texaco Havoline Ford, but after the sponsor moved to Ganassi Racing and Rudd left Yates at the end of 2002, the number hasn't been used.

The candy giant Mars, which already sponsors Yates' No. 38 M&M's Ford, also will back Rudd's effort.

During Rudd's earlier tenure at RYR, he scored three wins, 34 top fives, 53 top 10s and four poles. Rudd finished in the top five in the point standings the first two years and wound up in 10th place after a tumultuous 2002 season.

Although Rudd and Yates did not part on the best of terms, much has changed in the last four years. While Yates still has some of the best engines in NASCAR, his race program has suffered over the past season with the loss of general manager Eddie D'Hondt last spring, the resignations of drivers Jarrett and Elliott Sadler and the defection of sponsor UPS. It has been a humbling experience for Yates, but with the return of right-hand man Todd Parrott and the addition of rising star David Gilliland, the potential is there to turn the organization around.

Rudd certainly will be key in the rebuilding process. In 31 seasons at the Cup level, Rudd has won 23 races, and hen has posted 194 top-fives and 373 top 10s. His experience will be invaluable to both Gilliland and Yates' Busch driver Stephen Leicht, who both have limited seat time at NASCAR's top levels.

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Despite a year off from the Nextel Cup Series, Rudd proved his ability when he relieved the ailing Tony Stewart in the No. 20 Chevrolet at Dover in June. Rudd ran in the top 10 before a speeding penalty relegated him to 25th. Rudd has kept his skills sharp by running motocross and go-karts. After more than 30 years away from competing in go-karts, Rudd and partner Paulie Harraka won the RoboPong.com 200 at New Castle Motorsports Park in October against an 86-kart field.

Testing in the offseason will expedite Rudd's acclimation process to both the old cars and the new. Rudd tested the Car of Tomorrow for Wyler Racing at Talladega in October and will be invaluable in Yates' development of the COTs. Given the dedication of both racers to turn the program around and the commitment from the Mars family, expect to see a new and improved Yates Racing in 2007.