New #1 Crew Chief soon? UPDATE Gibson named for 2003: Dale Earnhardt Inc. may announce a new crew chief for driver #1 Steve Park this week. It’s believed the company went outside of DEI and offered a contract to Tony Gibson, who has been serving as the unofficial car chief for Jeff Gordon and the #24 Chevrolet. Word is that DEI has offered a contract to Gibson, but he’s already under contract with Rick Hendrick Motorsports. Upon giving his resignation, the dilemma is whether Hendrick will be willing to let Gibson leave before the end of the year or make him fulfill his contractual commitment until the end of the season to Hendrick.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(9-24-2002) UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt Inc. on Friday named Tony Gibson, currently car chief for Winston Cup driver Jeff Gordon’s team, as the new crew chief for driver Steve Park beginning in 2003. Gibson, 37, has been a part of three Winston Cup championships, with the late Alan Kulwicki and Gordon (twice). Before being named as car chief, he worked as lead mechanic on Gordon’s team. “I am really fortunate to have worked with Jeff Gordon and everybody at Hendrick Motorsports over the past five years,” Gibson said. “I have always been a part of championship-caliber organizations, and this move gives me an opportunity to pursue a Winston Cup championship as a crew chief. I feel confident that the resources at Dale Earnhardt Inc. and the experience I can bring will help Steve Park and DEI win races. From there, our focus will be on winning championships.” DEI officials Steve Hmiel and Dave Charpentier will continue to serve as Park’s crew chief for the remainder of this season.(ThatsRacin.com)(9-27-2002)
