Ron Otto has been named crew chief for the #49 BAM Racing Dodge of rookie driver Brent Sherman. Otto was promoted from car chief. “We are very excited that Ron Otto will be leading our race team in 2006, and working with Brent Sherman,” said Beth Ann Morgenthau, who owns BAM Racing along with her husband, Tony. “Brent’s potential as a driver and Ron’s experience in working with rookie drivers, not to mention his talents and skills mechanically and as an organizational leader, will lead to a great year for our race team,” Ms. Morgenthau said. The 41-year-old Otto is a native of Gahanna, Ohio, just outside of Columbus, but has been working in NASCAR racing since he began has a fabricator for Bobby Dotter. Otto is a former car chief for Richard Childress Racing, where he worked with Dale Earnhardt, and has worked with Terry Labonte and Mike Skinner in the past. As crew chief for the startup of Tommy Baldwin Racing in the 2004 Busch Series, Otto began a team with just four people, competed with seven different drivers – including two rookies who had never been in a Busch car – in a single season. “Yeah, that was an experience,” Otto laughed, “but one that could help in working with Brent this year. If nothing else, I have an idea of what to expect and areas where I can be the most help. All indications are he has a tremendous amount of potential, and I like the fact he wants to race hard. This is a great opportunity for me and I really appreciate Beth Ann, Tony and (General Manager) Eddie Jones having the faith in me to do this,” he continued. “I’ve watched this team grow and improve over the years, and I know they are solid and headed in the right direction. I know I am not the only one here looking forward to a really bright future.” Otto is engaged to Renee Sanders, and has two sons, R.J. and Kacey.(Williams Company), no word on former crew chief David Hyder plans or if he is still with BAM Racing.(12-7-2005)
