Just let the man do his job

Sporting News, The, May 26, 2003 by Lee Spencer

Where crew chiefs are concerned, Robert Yates Racing hasn't set the standard for job security. Two crew chiefs who recently worked with Yates driver Dale Jarrett weren't around long enough to figure out where the spare parts were.

Jimmy Elledge lasted the first six races in 2002. Brad Parrott survived the first eight in 2003. In between, Todd Parrott, who built the team from scratch in 1995 and was crew chief until the end of 2001, took the reins again but stepped down--reluctantly--at the end of last season. Brad Parrott, Todd's brother, began this season as Jarrett's crew chief, but after Talladega, Brad was fired, and Todd took "an extended leave of absence"--so extended, in fact, that he won't be back.

That opened the door for engineers Garth Finley and Richard Buck to act as interim crew chiefs while Yates Racing scoured the garage for a replacement. After three weeks of reviewing the pool of available applicants, Robert and Doug Yates decided to promote Shawn Parker from within the organization.

After a series of false starts and missteps, Yates finally has made the right move, under circumstances that will allow the team to flourish. Though Parker is new to the crew chief's role, he learned his trade working for three of the premier organizations in stock car racing: Hendrick Motorsports, Penske South and Roush Racing.

Parker, 29, started the season as the car chief for Elliott Sadler and the No. 38 team. Parker is a quick study. Working with Raymond Fox, Sadler's crew chief, Parker learned the organization's systems in short order. Doug Yates, general manager for Yates Racing, believed Parker deserved the opportunity after observing Parker's work ethic and attitude.

"We had a chance to see firsthand Shawn's abilities in the areas of car prep and setup with the No. 38 team," Yates says. "He did a great job in working with Raymond, Elliott and all the guys on that race team. Before we made the decision, we had Shawn head up a test at Charlotte with Dale and the No. 88 team, and everybody felt that the chemistry was right."

Sadler says he's convinced that Yates made the right move. Sadler adds that although Parker is young, his experience with Mark Martin and Rusty Wallace will help ease the transition with Jarrett, 46.

"He's worked with the veteran drivers before, so I think he knows a lot of what they're thinking," Sadler says. "His communication is unbelievable. His knowledge of a racecar is nothing like I've ever seen before. He's definitely a big part of why (my) car ran so well every week."

OK, so we know Parker is an astute mechanic. We know he can communicate from the top of the pit box. And we know he gets along with Fox and the No. 38 team--a novel concept at RYR, given the turmoil that enveloped driver Picky Rudd last season.

But will Parker be able to give Jarrett, the 1999 Winston Cup champion, competitive cars that will allow him to regain his confidence? One year ago, Jarrett's team was 15th in points, 468 out of first place The team pulled together at Charlotte, fought back and finished the season ninth. Now Parker inherits a team that is 23rd in points after consecutive DNFs at Richmond and California.

Parker recently tested with Jarrett at Kentucky Speedway in his first official outing as crew chief. He was impressed with what he saw.

"Yes, his confidence has been shaken" Parker says. "But D.J. has a lot more talent than he has shown of late. He hasn't forgotten how to drive a racecar....

"D.L was shooting for Pocono to turn the deal around, but I told him that things are going to turn around at Charlotte."

That's optimistic, but don't bet against Parker. He is a perfectionist who expects everyone around him to work as hard as he does and isn't happy if they don't. He has shown dedication to drivers in the past, and that's exactly what Jarrett needs now. Plus, Parker won't have Todd Parrott, who inhibited Elledge at times, hovering over him.

Parker says the team's new motto is: "We've turned the page and started a whole new chapter." Parker's work ethic and dedication will make the No. 88 team a success story--if he's kept around long enough.

Down the road

COCA-COLA 600

Lowe's Motor Speedway

When: 6:05 p.m. (ET) Sunday

TV: Fox

Length: 400 laps, 500 miles

Run with this:

Tires that have been used at least once are called "scuffs" and often are saved for further racing, especially qualifying. A lap or two is enough to "scuff" a tire in.

Mobil 1 with SuperSyn exceeds the toughest industry standards,

M@IL BONDING

LEE SPENCER ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

With Ford replacing the Taurus with the new Futura in 2005, which team will lead the development, and have there been any preliminary workups of this car in race trim?

Jim Lindstrom, Vulcan, Mich.

Jim: According to Robin Pemberton, Ford Racing's field manager, there have been no "preliminary workups in race trim" of the Futura--or whatever name Ford decides to give this car. It is expected to race in NASCAR in 2005.

It's way too early for the teams to be involved in the design and production of the new model. The project currently is in the hands of Ford engineers in Dearborn, Mich.