Yates team caught in NASCAR's financial

[nhboy]

"Daytona without Robert Yates? It just doesn't seem the same.

Yates, the renowned NASCAR engine whiz, has been here doing his thing since the 1960s, but somehow Yates and son Doug got off-track a few years ago. Last fall, Robert decided to call it quits as a team owner and turn it all over to Doug, who promptly cancelled a high-profile deal with Paul Newman and asked Jack Roush, a fellow Ford team owner, for help. Roush sent Max Jones over to try to revamp the Yates operation.

And for the first time in ages, Robert Yates isn't here walking the Daytona International Speedway garage in anticipation of the Daytona 500.

"This is the first time down here without my dad, so there are a lot of things going on, and it's a very different feel," Doug said. "I miss my father being here. He may come next week and help us out some, but it does feel different."

Yates team caught in NASCAR's financial squeeze | ScrippsNews