New Crew Chief Named For Jarrett

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Shawn Parker was hired Wednesday as crew chief for Dale Jarrett, becoming the fourth man in 15 months to hold that position at Robert Yates Racing.

Parker, who has been working as car chief on Elliott Sadler's Yates entry, will assume his new duties immediately.

"Shawn is a talented mechanic and a natural leader," said Doug Yates, general manager of the NASCAR team. "Shawn is someone we thought of as a future crew chief for Robert Yates Racing when we hired him in December.

"More importantly, he has a lot of experience in Winston Cup racing and brings a lot of knowledge to the crew chief role. He also believes in Dale Jarrett as a driver and Robert Yates Racing as championship contenders."

Parker bring 16 years of racing experience to his new job. He joined RYR after five seasons with Roush Racing, where he worked with drivers Mark Martin and Kurt Busch. Before that, Parker worked on the cars driven by Rusty Wallace at Penske Racing South.

"This is a role I've worked hard for," Parker said. "The opportunity to work with a driver like Dale Jarrett, the No. 88 team and Robert Yates Racing is incredible."

Jimmy Elledge started as crew chief for Jarrett in February 2002, but was fired and replaced after just six races by Todd Parrott. He had given up the job to become the team manager.

Parrott again stepped out of the crew chief's job to become RYR's competition director at the beginning of this season. He was replaced by his brother, Brad, as crew chief.

Jarrett, the 1999 Winston Cup champion, won in Rockingham in the second race of the season, but has struggled since. Brad Parrott was fired and Todd took an indefinite leave of absence following the eighth race of the year.

The No. 88 Ford team has been directed by Richard Buck and Garth Finley while a new crew chief was being sought.