With the 2008 season officially over, teams are now stepping up their preparations for next season. Tuesday, Yates Racing announced its newest driver - Paul Menard - will pilot the No. 98 Menards sponsored Ford Fusion in 2009.

"I'm really looking forward to starting this new chapter of my life with Yates Racing and behind the wheel of the No. 98 Ford Fusion," Menard explained. "The No. 98 has been to victory lane 25 times, many times with Marvin Panch and Lee Roy Yarbrough. It's exciting to be starting with Max (Jones) and Doug (Yates), and having Larry Carter on the box making the calls. I've seen how solid the Roush/Yates engine program has been over the years and I know we can have a really good season in the No. 98 Menards Ford Fusion."

As Menard mentioned, veteran crew chief Larry Carter will be moving over from Roush Fenway Racing to make the calls on the No. 98 crew. Calling the shots for Jamie McMurray throughout the 2008 season, Carter brings experience and quite a resume to Yates Racing. Working with drivers like Rusty Wallace, Darrell Waltrip, Jimmy Spencer and others, Carter has helped McMurray turned his season around as of late and now will focus on making Menard a household name.

Team co-owner Max Jones thinks that transition won't take long. Jones explained, "Paul is a focused and determined young man. His efforts combined with the strength and compatibility of our sponsor partners, and with Ford, will take him to new levels."