Jarrett says yes to Toyota?
"But probably within the next 10 days I think that decision will be made. There's probably no one that knows. … I sat down with my dog the other night and discussed it with her because I was pretty sure she didn't have many people she could go to, so we had a good conversation – bounced it off of her. Whenever she liked one of the options that I gave her, she would lick me in the face, and that was pretty much it. So I kind of knew what that stood for. She's really the only one that has any idea of what's really going on. I've confided in her more than anyone else."
05/04/06 Michael Waltrip says he and several other teams have talked with Dale Jarrett about his future plans; however Waltrip downplays a report Jarrett was offered a two year, $10-million contract [see below] to join his Toyota team. “I haven’t made him any offer monetarily and I think I’m pretty sure I can tell you no one has offered him that (10-million) but it makes for pretty good print." Waltrip said he’s more interested in Jarrett’s services than sponsor UPS. “We have our second car pretty much agreed upon with the sponsor and we’ve got a list of drivers that would be approved by the sponsor and he’s on that list. Anybody would hire Dale Jarrett, former cup champion and his sponsor UPS. We just want to hire Dale because we think he can win races and because that being our focus and the reason our drive for hiring him then I think he appreciates that." PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show
05/03/06 Toyota has yet to put a car on the track in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, but the automotive giant appears to have already landed its first NASCAR champion. Dale Jarrett, the 1999 NASCAR Cup champion, is expected to help head up the company's 2007 entry into the series, agreeing to join Michael Waltrip Racing next season. Several sources have confirmed that Jarrett, 49, informed Robert Yates Racing officials of his decision April 26. More at NASCAR Daily Scene
05/03/06 Toyota – The Japanese automaker has pumped in tens of millions of dollars into its teams to launch a Nextel Cup program in 2007. Car owner Michael Waltrip is rumored to be dangling a two-year, $20 million contract in front of Dale Jarrett to get him into a Toyota. Speed Channel
04/30/06 A team spokesman on Friday confirmed that Jarrett had spoken with Waltrip about driving for Waltrip's organization next season.
"It's been in the media that (Jarrett's) deal is up this year and so, I mean, you ought to be able to figure out that I probably have (talked to him) because how could you not?" Waltrip said.
"He's a champion. He's a friend. I did ask him, but I don't have anything to report on the answer."
04/29/06 Dale Jarrett said he has talked to quite a few people about driving for them next season but would not say whether he has signed with Michael Waltrip Racing.
Waltrip said Friday that he had talked with the Robert Yates Racing driver but had not signed him to run a second Toyota out of the Michael Waltrip Racing stable in 2007.
"People know when the last year of your contract is, so they start talking and seeing what your interests are, especially in my case," Jarrett said Saturday following qualifying for the Aaron's 499 at Talladega.
Jarrett said that he probably would make a decision in the next two or three weeks and that sponsor UPS is not necessarily tied to him.
"That's Robert's sponsor," said Jarrett, referring to his current owner. "They came here because of what we accomplished at Robert Yates Racing, and that hasn't been a factor in determining what I'm going to do. NASCAR Daily Scene
04/23/06 It would appear Dale Jarrett is in the driver's seat when it comes to where he will drive in 2007. UPS has not renewed with car owner Robert Yates and will not until they are assured Jarrett's services have been secured. Jarrett, on the other hand, is being wooed by Toyota, with the full knowledge wherever Jarrett goes, UPS goes. CircleTrackPlus.com
04/22/06 Robby Gordon declined to comment on the latest reports that Toyota and sponsor Red Bull are making an offer to buy him and his entire team. General Motors executives are still hopeful of keeping Gordon in their fold and point to the extensive work they've done to help Gordon become more competitive as an independent owner-driver. #29-Kevin Harvick, also said to be on Toyota's wish list, is still negotiating with GM and owner Richard Childress for a contract renewal, and the yes or no could come in the next few days. Harvick has set a package and price, and the ball is in Childress' court. But team sources indicate that Childress isn't willing to meet Harvick's demands. Childress has been unavailable for comment, and Harvick has declined to comment. According to sources, Dodge owner Ray Evernham may be interested in hiring Harvick.
And Toyota apparently wants not only Dale Jarrett but also his sponsor, UPS. That situation is unclear, but it appears to mean that if car owner Robert Yates wants to keep UPS on his quarterpanels, he would also have to re-sign Jarrett for two more years. Winston Salem Journal