Sadler may sue to keep ride

Jan 5, 2009 - 9:13 PM CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Elliott Sadler apparently will not be replaced at Gillett Evernham Motorsports by A.J. Allmendinger without a fight.

According to numerous reports, Sadler plans to sue the race organization for the right to remain in the No. 19 Dodge through the end of his contract in 2010.

"Our objective is to get in the car and race for them," Sadler's lawyer, John Buric, told ESPN.com on Monday. "We have a contract with them. We intend to enforce the contract."

Buric told the web site he is in the process of drafting paperwork for the lawsuit that he expects to file in Iredell Superior Court within the next week to 10 days, unless an out-of-court agreement can be reached. He has until January 20 to do so.

Buric filed a notice of intent to sue for breach of contract Friday, shortly after Sadler learned that he would be replaced by Allmendinger - a decision Sadler reportedly heard through one his sponsors, not the race team.

"We got a phone call that says basically they want to buy him out of his contract," Buric said in the report. "We said we don't want to be bought out. Elliott has a contract that doesn't expire until the end of 2010. He intends to race in 2009 and 2010."

Sadler has three NASCAR Cup Series victories in 357 career races. He joined Evernham Motorsports in August 2006 and finished 25th in 2007 and 24th last season.