Veteran Peter Sospenzo will head the competition side of Penske-Kranefuss Racing(#12 Mobil One Ford and driver Jeremy Mayfield) starting with The Winston this weekend at Lowes Motor Speedway. The announcement was made this morning by team co-owner Michael Kranefuss. A veteran crew chief, Sospenzo, 42, joined Penske-Kranefuss Racing in December, 1997. He has been serving as Car Chief. He replaces Paul Andrews, who has served as crew chief since December, 1997( The Williams Company ) — UPDATE 1: Dale Earnhardt has been searching for a new crew chief to work with Steve Park, and Steve Hmiel is filling in until Earnhardt can find the man he’s looking for. Andrews, low key and well-respected, might be that man. If Earnhardt and his Chevrolet team land Andrews, it would be a significant plus for Chevy — Andrews has been a Ford man for years. But at least three other teams have been making offers to Andrews, according to sources close to the situation( PitNow ) and UPDATE 2 from That’s Racin’ : Andrews said he was told the team’s performance was the reason for the decision. Mayfield is 13th in the current Winston Cup standings. Andrews said he learned after being fired that the decision to do so had been made at a meeting among the team’s key members on Sunday, the day after Mayfield finished 24th at Richmond
