UPDATE: Kvapil Confirmed At Roush, Gilmore Says `No Deal' With RYR

Confirming what Sirius Speedway reported earlier today, Roush Racing has announced the signing of former NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil to pilot the team’s #6 Ford F-150 in 2007.

Jack Roush announced the signing, saying, “We are pleased beyond measure that we were able to get a driver the caliber of Travis Kvapil. At only 30 years old with a truck championship and two years of Nextel Cup experience under his belt, Travis brings great long and short term potential for Roush Racing.”

The truck remains unsponsored at this moment, but Roush Racing president Geoff Smith says a sponsor announcement will likely follow. “Our sponsor prospects have been waiting for us to settle on the driver,” said Smith. “Now that Travis is on board, we expect to close on a sponsorship shortly.”

Updating this week’s other top story, Dale Earnhardt Inc. Vice President Richie Gilmore says rumors of DEI purchasing at least part of Robert Yates Racing have gotten out of hand. "Stories definitely grow in this sport, and maybe it's a slow time of the year with the Chase not being quite as tight as it should be,” he said. “I told Teresa Earnhardt that if (she) went to get a cup of coffee at 8 o'clock in the morning, by noontime she's going to buy a Starbucks.

"Right now, we're focused on getting Paul (Menard) ready for next year, and building our three organizations here at DEI.” Asked if there was any substance at all to reports of negotiations between DEI and Yates, Gilmore said simply, “"no."