The #88 UPS Team will race the next four weeks without the services of crew chief Slugger Labbe after the NASCAR Appeals Committee denied the appeal submitted by Robert Yates Racing on Labbes behalf. As a result, Jason Burdett, car chief for the #88 UPS Team, will assume the crew chief role at the track in preparation for Saturday nights All-Star Challenge and during the course of Labbes suspension. Were disappointed but respect the decision of the appeals committee and accept the results, Labbe said. Jason Burdett is a long time employee of RYR and deserves this opportunity. Jason has been involved with the #88 team for years as car chief and certainly understands the handling of the race car and the different things that I would communicate to Dale Jarrett. Hes the best person to do this for our #88 team because the communication has already been started with the driver and crew members.
Were just going to go do the same things weve been doing all year, Burdett said of his added responsibilities. We have a pretty good support group and we all work so close together that it should be pretty seamless. Jerry Pitts, RYRs ARCA crew chief, and Travis Geisler, engineer on the #90 RYR Ford that competes in the NASCAR Busch Series, will assist Burdett as needed.(RYR PR)(5-17-2006)
