Crew Chiefs Aplenty
Tally another crew chief on the board as Joe Gibbs Racing announced on
Tuesday that Jimmy Makar will step down as crew chief and take over the role as
team manager in 2003. Makar held crew chief duties on the #18 for 11 years.
On Monday Tommy Baldwin parted ways with Bill Davis Racing, effective
immediately. The crew chief fury this week alone was shock enough following the
Makar and Baldwin announcements. But now is the time to officially begin taking
notes as I attempt to give a quick rundown as to who has gone where so far this
season.
With Baldwin’s departure as Ward Burton’s crew chief on the 22 Dodge, the
door was left wide open for Frank Stoddard to step in. Stoddard recently left
Roush Racing and his job as crew chief on Ward’s brother, Jeff’s #99 Ford.
The announcement from BDR comes on the heels of DEI’s official announcement
this past week that Tony Gibson will be leaving his car chief duties at Hendrick
Motorsports to become Steve Park’s crew chief on his #1 Chevy. Gibson will be
filling the void left by Paul Andrew who took over Stoddard’s position at Roush.
Yet another recent crew chief change within the Hendrick organization came at
the beginning of September when Peter Sospenzo took over duties on the 25.
Sospenzo replaced Brian Pattie.
In June RCR decided to swap crew chiefs on the 29 and 31 crews, handing Kevin
Hamlin to Robby Gordon’s 31 team while Gil Martin was sent to work on Kevin
Harvick’s 29.
If you were taking notes, chances are they look like you tried playing
connect-the-dots in the dark.
The frequent changing of crew chiefs this season is something that normally
takes place during the off-season. But, as is the case with driver’s swapping
rides, the ever constant demand to win is top priority in the sponsor driven
sport.
Baldwin’s most notable win with the 22 team came in the season opener Daytona
500, the most prestigious win of them all. The waiting game is now on to see
where Baldwin will end up.
As for Makar, he coached Bobby Labonte to the 2000 Championship.