hearing Hendrick Motorsports will replace Jim Long as the crew chief of the #5 Lowe’s Chevy in the Busch Series, no word who will take over or what Long will do. The #5 Chevy has been driven by Blake Feese, Kyle Busch, Brian Vickers, Boston Ried, Kyle Krisiloff and Adrian Fernandez.(8-25-2005)
UPDATE: A team rep said that Jim Long isn’t in Bristol this weekend because he’s at the shop helping to prepare the car for California next weekend. He will be back with the team in Fontana with driver Adrian Fernandez.(BGNRacing.com)(8-26-2005)
UPDATE 2: Marshall Carlson, general manager of Hendrick Motorsports, today outlined the organization’s future NASCAR Busch Series plans, including its remaining 2005 schedule and a realignment of key personnel. Chad Walter, 34, who rejoined Hendrick Motorsports earlier this year as lead engineer for the #5 and #25 NEXTEL Cup Series teams, has been named crew chief of the #5 Busch Series Chevry. The Albion, N.Y., native will call the Sept. 9 race at Richmond marking his first in the new role. Following this weekend’s event at Fontana, Calif., Jim Long will transition from crew chief of the #5 Chevys into a new position focusing on Hendrick Motorsports’ growing chassis and research operations. The 48-year-old Long, who brings two decades of NASCAR experience to his expanded role, helped establish both departments in the early 1990s. A Toledo, Ohio, native and Brickyard 400-winning crew chief, Long will also lead the part-time Busch Series efforts of Hendrick Motorsports — the #48 and #57 — for the remainder of 2005. Michael Landis, a 12-year veteran of Hendrick Motorsports, continues as Busch Series team manager. Landis helped the team to a Busch Series championship in 2003 and recently engineered the group’s relocation to a freshly renovated 15,000-square-foot facility, which opened in July.
Hendrick Motorsports has fielded a full-time Busch Series operation since 2002, earning one championship, 10 victories and 11 pole positions during that span. The organization, which has a win and two poles this season, finished fifth in points with driver Jack Sprague in 2002, first with Brian Vickers in 2003 and second with rookie Kyle Busch last year.
After running a flexible schedule for much of the season, Hendrick Motorsports today solidified its remaining 2005 Busch Series events. The slate will feature drivers Vickers, Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Adrian Fernandez and Kyle Krisiloff.
Remaining 2005 Schedule – #5 Busch Series Chevrolets: Sept. 3, California, Fernandez
Sept. 9, Richmond, Busch
Sept. 24, Dover, Busch
Oct. 8, Kansas, Busch
Oct. 14, Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Fernandez
Oct. 22, Memphis, Krisiloff
Nov. 5, Texas, Fernandez
Nov. 12, Phoenix, Fernandez
Nov. 19, Homestead, Fernandez
Remaining 2005 Schedule – #48 Busch Series Chevrolets:
Sept. 3, California Speedway, Jimmie Johnson
Oct. 14, Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Jimmie Johnson
Remaining 2005 Schedule – #57 Busch Series Chevrolets:
Sept. 24, Dover International Speedway, Vickers
Oct. 14, Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Busch
Nov. 5, Texas Motor Speedway, Busch
Nov. 19, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Vickers.(Hendrick Motorsports)(8-29-2005)
