#19 Team Update: Following a team meeting held Saturday, Emerald Performance Group (EPG) crew members determined they would prepare to go to the next event on the NASCAR Busch Series schedule held in Loudon, New Hampshire next Saturday, May 13. Crew chief for EPG, Christain Lovendahl, was fatally injured in an automobile accident late Friday afternoon, May 5. Winston Cup driver, Mark Martin, was made aware of his nephew’s death just before theHardees 250 event began on Friday evening.We knew Mark had made the decision to get in his Busch car Friday night and we all feel that was the example we should follow, stated team owner, David Ridling.After learning of Christain’s death, I’m sure Mark would have much rather been with his family, but he also realized what he had to do. Christain always looked to his uncle for guidance and example, and to make this decision to go to New Hampshire, we turned to his example as well. The team was expected to participate in a two-day open test session at Lowe’s Motor Speedway Monday and Tuesday, May 8 and 9, but have opted to try and determine another test date so they may attend funeral services and begin the slow and difficult healing process. George Church has been hired as crew chief for the #19 team. Most recently, Church has worked with Boris Said and Jimmy Spencer in their NASCAR Busch Series’ program(Grandstand Communications)(5-8-2000)
