DARLINGTON, S.C. – Dale Jarrett said he, like anyone else, is not a big fan of change, but joining Michael Waltrip's Toyota Nextel Cup operation seems the right move at the right time.
"I asked myself, 'Is this something I really wanted to do at the end of my career?' But it outweighed the downside so much," said Jarrett, 49, who on Saturday became the second publicly announced Cup driver for Toyota next season.
"It has nothing to do with anyone at Robert Yates Racing. It's just a unique opportunity at the end of my career."
Waltrip declined to name Jarrett's car number or sponsor for his team next season, but said he and Jarrett could possibly add another teammate as well.
Ford Motor Co., which has teamed with Jarrett most of his Cup career, did not take to the news kindly.
"Toyota is going to have its work cut out for them in Nextel Cup, no matter how much they plan on spending," said Dan Davis, director of Ford Racing Technology. "Our plan is to keep winning races and championships."
Jarrett won the 1999 Cup title with Yates and Ford. Ford's most recent champion was Kurt Busch in the 2004 season.
"My tenure at Robert Yates Racing has been extremely important to me, my family and my career," Jarrett said. "We accomplished a lot together during the past 12 years.
"This was a very difficult decision."
Jarrett said he plans to drive at least the next two seasons, but wouldn't rule out longer if circumstances permitted. He also said he could enter into a management role with Michael Waltrip Racing after his driving career, or perhaps take on an ownership role.
"This isn't going to be a one- or two-year process developing this into a championship race team. It's going to take time beyond that," he said. "Once I quit driving, I can give a lot more time to that.
"I like the ideas Michael has come to me with about staying involved in his race team and what he could do there, and plus if I'm on the management side I can spend his money and not mine."
