Major Crew Chief Changes in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series

Crew Chief Club members Todd Parrott, Robin Pemberton and Jimmy Elledge will have new roles for 2002

CHARLOTTE, N.C., (Dec. 6, 2001) - Major changes have rocked the upper ranks of crew chiefs in the NASCAR Winston Cup series as Todd Parrott, Robin Pemberton and Jimmy Elledge announced that they will take on new positions for the 2002 season.

Parrott will assume a team manager role with the No. 88 Robert Yates Racing Team driven by Dale Jarrett. Elledge, crew chief of the No. 55 Chevrolet driven by Bobby Hamilton, will leave APR (Andy Petree Racing) to become the new crew chief of the No. 88 Ford. Pemberton will step aside as the crew chief of the #2 Penske race team to spend more time with his family. The team has promoted Billy Wilburn to replace Pemberton.

"I had to give up my title as crew chief because I wanted to make our race team stronger," said the 37-year-old Parrott, who has been a crew chief with Robert Yates Racing since October 1995. "I'm going to do everything possible to make UPS the No. 1 sponsor and Robert Yates Racing the No. 1 race team. This move was made to win another championship. I'm still going to racetrack every week, nothing will change there, I just needed some help."

"Everyone is ecstatic about what Jimmy is going to bring to this race team. Jimmy will add the depth we have needed. Jimmy is a racer. I have known Jimmy since he was changing tires at Richard Childress Racing. I've been a friend with him for a long time. I like his attitude, he never gives up and he's a hard worker. He has paid his dues and I'm still going to be a really big part of this race team."

Elledge was the crew chief for APR's first win (Talladega, Ala.) on April 21, 2001. The 31-year-old served as the No. 55 crew chief for three seasons. In his career with APR, he posted seven top fives and 13 top tens with drivers Hamilton and Kenny Wallace.

"It's an incredible opportunity to work with Robert Yates' organization," said Elledge. "It's a huge, huge break in my racing career to work with Dale Jarrett as my driver. Hopefully I can live up to their expectations. I have some big shoes to fill with a list of accomplishments 10 miles long. I just hope I can bring something to their organization that will earn the No. 88 another championship next season.

"I'd like to thank Robert, Dale, Todd and UPS for giving me this opportunity. I hate saying goodbye to APR, Square D, Bobby, Andy and all the other people who have helped me get to this point in my career. They mean a lot to me, but something like this doesn't come along that often so I couldn't pass it up."

Earlier in the week, Pemberton announced his resignation as crew chief of the #2 Ford driven by Rusty Wallace. As of today, he has not announced his plans for 2002.