Three-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship winning crew chief Dennis Connor has relinquished his role as the crew chief of the #2 Team ASE/CARQUEST Dodge. Connor is a proven winner in NASCAR competition and has successfully guided the fortunes of several drivers during his career. The Sylva, NC native mentored Jack Sprague to three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championships (1997, 1999 and 2001), two runner-up points finishes (1996 & 1998), 25 victories and 23 pole positions. Connor proved his considerable skills once again in his very first outing with Ultra Motorsports and the Team ASE/CARQUEST Dodge in 2003, winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race withdriver Jason Leffler at Dover in late May. Connor backed that win up with another at New Hampshire with driver Jimmy Spencer. In 2003 Connor captured a unique NASCAR ‘hat trick” by winning three poles with three different Ultra Motorsports drivers – Leffler (Michigan), Spencer (New Hampshire) and Andy Houston (Texas). The 2004 campaign has seen its share of bad luck including getting swept up in multi-truck crashes, untimely caution flags and mechanical woes.
“In all my time in racing I have found that situations either work out or they don’t,” said Connor. “The 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season has not gone as any of us would have preferred. As a result Jim Smith andI have reached a very amicable and mutual agreement to part ways at this time. I look forward to finding an opportunity that provides me with a chance to have a positive impact with a competitive race team. I am sure that type of opportunity is just around the corner.”(PR)(6-28-2004)
UPDATE: Trip Bruce, former car chief for Ultra Motorsports NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series program, becomes interim crew chief.(NASCAR PR)(7-1-2004)
