“The Snickers brand has taken me into their family and found room for an old guy. So it's more about the sponsorship and the television perception of the age thing than it is actually can the older driver get the job done. I don't think that's the issue as much as it is from the marketing standpoint."
CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE SENTIMENTAL VALUE OF THE 28 NUMBER?
RR "I can probably touch on that real briefly, but I think Robert can probably answer that question the best. Just from a driver's standpoint, I always was proud to drive the 28 just because of the history of that number with Davey and Robert when they began that team, and then on with Ernie Irvan and all the great drivers that have driven that car – Kenny Irwin - I guess if I had a personal preference, I like the 28 just because of the history of it, but I'm sure Robert has a better answer for you on that."
RY "I just like cars that run good. We've had good success with the 88 – a championship car, but the 28 was my first number as an owner and that had a lot of value and has a lot of value. I like the eights. I'm good with either one, but my number one deal is make it run like the championship year that we could have had with the 28 several times or like the 88 car that won the championship. I'll be good with either one, but it's gonna be a company and a group decision. I'll be a 10 percent vote in that, but I think the grandstand might say 28. I'm not sure."
DID YOU EVER REQUEST A PARTIAL SCHEDULE?
RR "At one time I was considering a part-time deal. While they were racing, they were out trying to pursue sponsors at one time to see if they could make something work on a part-time schedule and that team there would not have been prepared to run a full schedule. There's a big difference between a part-time schedule versus a full-time schedule with Robert Yates Racing.
![Ricky Rudd was the top Ford in qualifying at Daytona. Rudd posted the 5th fastest time [Photo: autostock].](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/49363.jpg )
