Lepage Out: Morgan-McClure Motorsports has made a decision not to renew a contract with Kevin Lepage as its driver for the 2002 Winston Cup season and beyond. The team will continue in its efforts to take the #4 KODAK MAX Film Monte Carlo back to a weekly competitive level. Morgan-McClure has not made a decision on a replacement for Lepage. Future plans will be announced later in the season(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(9-10-2001) UPDATEs more updates on the #4 Team News and Links page UPDATE 7: Lepage signed a three-year contract after his third race with the M-M team. However, the season has gone downhill since then, as Lepage has an average qualifying position of 30.3, an average finishing position of 29.2, and has failed to qualify for three races. “The driver and team had an option that was easy for both sides to get out of,” said Lisa Shealy, M-M director of public relations. “Larry didn’t want what happened with Robbie to happen again. Basically, Larry had to let (Lepage) know before the end of the season whether he intended to renew the contract or not. Under the circumstances, Larry informed him that he would not renew it.” The team has not ruled out bringing Lepage back for next season, but it seems highly unlikely with drivers like Mike Skinner looking for a ride in 2002. Skinner visited the Morgan-McClure shop in Abingdon last month, and according to Shealy, the team has interviewed several drivers. While they would like to have a new driver secured by the end of the season, M-M says there is currently no timeline to fill the vacancy. Tired of talk that it was the team and not the driver, M-M had its engines tested over the summer on the chassis dyno of other teams like Penske and DEI, and had the aerodynamics compared as well.(Bristol Herald Courier) AND Mike Skinner has talked with No. 4 co-owner Larry McClure about that ride for next season. Kevin Lepage will not be back in that car(Sporting News)(9-17-2001)
