TALLADEGA, Ala. — There's seven races left in Dale Jarrett's storied career with Robert Yates Racing, and with each passing week he loses another opportunity to go out a winner.

In fact, it's been an entire year since Jarrett found his way to Victory Lane, passing Tony Stewart on the backstretch at Talladega Superspeedway to end a 98-race winless streak.

The drought is back up to 36, and Jarrett wants nothing more than one final glorious run in the No. 88 Ford before he heads to a new team next season.

"That's very important to me — that's been my goal from the time I knew I was leaving, wherever I was going," Jarrett said Friday. "I wanted to leave them in good shape, where they felt like they could plug someone right in and move forward and don't have to wonder what direction they are going in."

Unless something changes very soon, that's not going to happen.

RYR has been in a free-fall since Jarrett said in May he was leaving to drive a Toyota for Michael Waltrip next season. UPS, his primary sponsor, then decided to follow him. Finally, teammate Elliott Sadler opted out of his contract and jumped over to Evernham Motorsports.

It has left Robert and Doug Yates without a driver or a sponsor for their flagship No. 88, and with a rookie in Sadler's old ride. If a corporation doesn't pledge some serious money in the next few weeks, the Yates' could be forced to fold the team and field just one car next year for David Gilliland.

One scenario floating through the garage Friday had former Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve taking over the ride and bringing his own sponsorship money with him. The Canadian has been snooping around for an opportunity for a few months, and Yates has the open Cup seat Villeneuve is looking for.

Either way, Jarrett is hoping the car owners can salvage something soon.

"I'd like to see them find sponsorship and find a driver and win races again," he said.