News of Sadler's return came on the same day that officials with GEM and Petty Holdings announced they had reached a deal to merge.

On Jan. 2, an attorney representing Sadler filed notice in court saying GEM breached its contract with the driver to helm the No. 19 Dodge, according to the Charlotte Observer.

George Gillett, Gillett Evernham Motorsports, Allmendinger and Ray Evernham Enterprises were named as defendants.

John Buric, Sadler's lawyer, said they learned on Dec. 30 that the team had been in negotiations with Allmedinger about driving the No. 19 Dodge for 2009, the Observer said.

According to the filed notice, Sadler wanted to seek "injunctive relief, declaratory relief/specific performance, consequential and punitive damages as a result of Defendants anticipatory and actual breach of Plaintiffs' Driving Services Agreement."

Prior to driving for GEM, Allmendinger drove full-time for Team Red Bull, qualifying for 39 races over a year-and-a-half span. He was released by TRB following the Kansas Cup race in September, where he earned his career best finish of ninth.

Sadler signed a contract extension in 2008 that was set to keep him as driver of the No. 19 Dodge through the 2010 season. - foxsports.com