Robert Yates

Robert Yates (Team Owner) #88 Quality Care Service/Ford Credit Taurus
	Age: 55 Spouse: Carolyn Children: Doug & Amy Birthplace: Charlotte, N.C. Residence: Charlotte, N.C.

Robert Yates is not only one of NASCAR Winston Cup racing's premier engine builders, but has catapulted himself into a top-line car owner since he bought the Ranier/Lundy team in 1988.

Under Yates' leadership, the Quality Care Service/Ford Credit team has been a top contender and perennial front-runner every race weekend. Dale Jarrett joined Robert Yates Racing in 1995 and since then, has collected 15 wins for the organization.

Before there was Roberts Yates the team owner, there was Robert Yates the driver. In 1959, Yates competed as a drag racer at Shuffletown Dragway, located just north of Charlotte, N.C. His driving stint may not have lasted long, however his desire to be in racing continued to grow.

In 1968, Yates joined the highly successful Holman-Moody operation as air gauge department manager. From that point on, Yates continued his climb up the ladder, as he moved on to Junior Johnson's stables in 1971 to guide the team's engine development. Racing legends Bobby Allison and Cale Yarborough were the early beneficiaries of Yates' engine-building genius.

Yates worked for the DiGard team from 1976-1986, providing horsepower for Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Allison, Ricky Rudd and Greg Sacks. He left the DiGard team in 1986, to work on the development of synthetic fuels in Greenville, S.C. But in August of that year, Yates heard his call to get back involved with a team, as the team manager for Ranier/Lundy Racing.

Two years later, Yates purchased the team from Harry Ranier in the fall of 1988. A young driver by the name of Davey Allison was the team's driver. Yates and Allison were a good combination as they contended for the Winston Cup title in 1992. Allison finished third in the final point standings.

In July 1993, RYR tragically lost Allison when he died as the result of a helicopter crash at the Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. Drivers Robby Gordon, Lake Speed and Ernie Irvan finished out the season for RYR, with Irvan becoming the full-time replacement.

For the 1999 season, Jarrett's teammate at RYR is Kenny Irwin, Jr., who completed his first Winston Cup season by winning Rookie of the Year honors. Yates' secrets of power and speed stay within the family, with his son Doug as the team's assistant engine builder for both the Quality Care Service/Ford Credit team and the Texaco/Havoline Ford Taurus, driven by Irwin.