Mooresville, NC (Best E Casino) - Rumors are circulating saying that Robert Yates Racing and Ricky Rudd will join forces again in 2007. Rudd, who sat out 2006, will fill the seat left vacant when Dale Jarrett left the team at the end of the season.

Rudd and Yates were previously paired together between 2000 and 2002. The Chesapeake, VA native collected three wins and finished in the top-10 in all three years they worked together. For his career, Rudd has 23 Nextel Cup wins, 29 poles and was named 1977 Rookie of the Year. He also holds the Nextel Cup record of 788 consecutive starts between 1981-2005.

"I myself never used the word 'retired,'" Rudd said. "I wanted to take a year off and see what happens."

The team will be sponsored by Masterfoods USA (Snickers) and will likely use the No.28 that Rudd used when they were together the first time.