BANG Racing will switch crew chiefs and crews, with Rick Ren going to the #24 Line-X Toyota with driver Travis Kvapil and Eric Phillips going to the #42 Toyota and driver Mike Skinner.(XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 144)(6-22-2004)
UPDATE: BANG RACING announced today that it will switch the crew chiefs and crews on their No. 24 Line-X Tundra and #42 Toyota Tundra teams. Effective immediately, Eric Phillips and his Line-X crew will join forces with the inaugural truck series champion, Mike Skinner, driver of the #42 Toyota Tundra, while Rick Ren and his Toyota Tundra team will unite with driver of the #24 Line-X Tundra, 2003 Craftsman Truck Series Champion Travis Kvapil.
Alex Meshkin, CEO and Owner of Bang Racing: “From the beginning we have stressed that we are one team fielding two trucks. We came out of the gates at Daytona very strong and have worked to give both teams the best in equipment and support. With that in mind, we want to give each of our unique drivers what we feel will work in their best interests. We have been consistent and strong, and want to continue to stay within striking distance of the championship. But to keep the momentum going, the BANG RACING teams are making a switch to accommodate their driver’s unique needs. We believe it is in the best interests of both drivers to have crew chiefs that can bring out the best in their driver’s performance.”
Rick Ren, Crew Chief of the No. 24 Line-X Tundra
“I’m excited to work with Travis Kvapil again. We already have a winning, two-year relationship and don’t have to learn what each other likes or dislikes, so everything will probably go back to the way it was before. It will work out fine, and it is what we needed to do to get both trucks turned around and run consistently in the top-five and back in the top-five in points. I don’t see how it will affect the team’s day-to-day operations. I think that it is definitely a positive for both teams.”
Eric Phillips, Crew Chief of the No. 42 Toyota Tundra: “I’m pretty excited about working with Mike Skinner, and I think we will get along well. I’ve worked with a couple of other people like Mike, such as Joe Nemecheck and Greg Biffle, and they are very similar in their approach to things. Since we both come from the Cup series, the way we think about and do things is sometimes a little bit different than in the truck series. I think that that may make our communication stronger and our ability to make changes easier, and we will understand what each other wants and needs. I have been a part of this in the past at Nemco with Biffle and Nemecheck, but we just switched crew chiefs. It worked out well there, and hopefully, we will see some of the same results.”
Mike Skinner, Driver of the No. 42 Toyota Tundra: “That’s what our owner’s job is – to make sure Bang Racing works as close to a well oiled machine as possible. And Eric and Rick both have crew members that they are confident in and have long standing relationships with. Were Travis and Eric having problems? No. Were Rick and I having problems? No. It’s just that sometimes it helps to swap personalities around. I support the decision and welcome the opportunity to work with Eric. I know Rick and Travis have worked successfully together in the past. If it works out like it did at RCR in 1999 when Larry was appointed my crew chief, we’ll be in contention for the win every week.”
Travis Kvapil, Driver of the No. 24 Line-X Tundra: “I feel comfortable going back to work with Rick Ren. We have won races in the past and have had a number of top-five finishes together. There shouldn’t be a big learning curve with Rick trying to figure out what type of adjustments we need to make together. Both teams were struggling with results and should be running in the top five every week, not outside of the top-10. It may be a little tough at first adjusting to the situation but things will work out, and both teams will rise to the occasion. It should help us in getting the results that we had at the beginning of the year and what we know we are capable of week in and week out.”(BANG Racing PR)(6-23-2004)
