HAMPTON, GA. ? Bill Elliott told everyone this week that he was endorsing a line of snack foods, but he remained quiet about his driving plans for the 2004 season.

Despite speculation that Elliott, 48, would reveal plans to drive a limited schedule next season, no such announcement came Friday at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Ray Evernham, owner of Elliott’s No. 9 Dodge, said there was a good reason.

“I think that when he makes the decision he’ll let me know, and I really don’t believe he’s made it yet,” Evernham said of Elliott, the 1988 Winston Cup champion who has 43 Cup victories. “It has to be a very hard decision for him.

“Think about what he’s facing. Here’s a guy who has lived for this, and he’s one of the greatest drivers who has ever sat in a NASCAR automobile and he’s trying to decide whether or not he’s going to do this anymore.”

Evernham said he had options should Elliott not come back full-time in 2004.

Another part of Evernham’s equation was settled this week with Jeremy Mayfield signing a two-year contract extension to stay in the No.19 Dodge.

Mayfield, who had been rumored as a candidate to move to the No. 30 Chevrolets owned by Richard Childress, admitted he had been considering options.

“Ray and I pursued other options to see what was out there,” Mayfield said. “It was close. He was going to do something different and I was going to do something different. It was no secret. He knew it and I knew it. It came right down to the wire.”

Keller to team with Harvick?

Veteran Jason Keller is the preferred candidate to run with Winston Cup driver Kevin Harvick in Richard Childress Racing’s No. 21 Chevrolet in the Busch Series next season, ThatsRacin.com has learned.

Harvick has shared the No. 21 this season with Johnny Sauter, and the team leads the Busch car owners’ standings, prompting the possibly of a split championship in the series. Brian Vickers leads the drivers’ standings. Keller remains in the hunt for the driver’s title and has talked with several Cup teams. His ppc Racing team does not have a sponsor next season.

Jarrett to stay with Yates

Dale Jarrett has extended his contract to drive the No. 88 Fords for Robert Yates Racing through the 2006 season.

Jarrett is completing his ninth season with RYR.

“Dale and I started the No. 88 team together and I am lucky to still have him in the car,” Yates said. “Dale and I both knew this contract extension was going to happen. It was just a matter of finding the time to sit down, putting everything out on paper and getting it signed.”