hearing that #5 Crew Chief Andy Graves and his father Fred will leave Hendrick Motorsports at the end of the season?(anon source) — UPDATE: After a dismal second half of the season Hendrick Motorsports’ #5 team, with driver Terry Labonte, is under evaluation and significant changes in personnel could come as soon as next week, team sources revealed Friday. Reports in the past week have indicated that crew chief Andy Graves and co-chief Fred Graves (Andy’s father), could be headed elsewhere after the season. Kellogg’s spokesman John Singler said last week at Homestead that such rumors were news to him( Racer Magazine: NASCAR: Hendrick’s Labonte Team Under Evaluation ) — UPDATE 2: Hendrick Motorsports will undergo several more personnel changes before the end of the year, The Charlotte Observer has learned. Andy Graves, who has served as Hendrick driver Terry Labonte’s crew chief since October 1997, will likely leave the team before the start of the new season. His departure is related, at least in part, to the lackluster performance of the #5 Chevrolets team this season, sources said. Graves has already emerged as a top candidate for the crew chief duties for the new Winston Cup team starting next season by open-wheel star Robby Gordon(in part from That’s Racin’ ) — UPDATE 3: Hendrick Motorsports is expected to hire Gary DeHart as the new crew chief for former Winston Cup champion Terry Labonte, The Charlotte Observer has learned. DeHart was Labonte’s crew chief during Labonte’s 1996 championship season and the announcement of his move will likely take place during the annual Charlotte media tour in January. Andy Graves, is expected to leave the team at the end of next month.( That’s Racin’/Jim Utter )
