Crew chief David Hyder, fired from Michael Waltrip Racing last month, will return to the pit box next weekend at Dover International Speedway to guide the #36 Toyota driven by Jeremy Mayfield, Bill Davis Racing competition director Tommy Baldwin told ESPN.com Saturday. Hyder is already working in the BDR shop, preparing a car to test Tuesday at North Carolina Speedway in preparation for Dover, Baldwin said. Hyder was fined $100,000 and suspended indefinitely by NASCAR in the first week of the season after an illegal substance was found in the carburetor on the #55 Toyota prior to qualifying. NASCAR will lift the suspension on May 30, opening the door for Hyder to join BDR. Baldwin is relieved to bring Hyder on board. He’d been pulling double duty since March, serving both as crew chief for Mayfield’s team and as the organization’s competition director. “Thank god,” Baldwin said with a grin. “It’s time for me to focus on the future of this organization.” Hyder was unavailable for comment.(ESPN.com)(5-26-2007) UPDATE: Bill Davis Racing (BDR) announced that David Hyder has joined the organization and will serve as crew chief for the #36 OTC 360 Racing team and driver Jeremy Mayfield beginning this weekend at Dover International Speedway. Hyder will take over for Interim Crew Chief Tommy Baldwin who will be left to concentrate on his position of Director of Competition for the BDR Nextel Cup Series program. “David is a competitor,” stated team owner Bill Davis. “He sees what needs to be done and he does it, and the 360 OTC Racing team and both the Bill Davis Racing Cup programs will benefit from that. I anticipate David and Jeremy working really well together and this team getting stronger and stronger each week. I think David will be a great addition to our organization.” Hyder joins Bill Davis Racing after spending several years as a crew chief in NASCAR’s premiere Series. Hyder spent two years in that capacity at BAM Racing before moving to the Wood Brothers Organization in 2006, working with Ken Schrader in the Cup Series and with Jon Wood in the team’s Busch Series program before heading back to BAM Racing to finish out the 2006 season. Hyder began the 2007 campaign at Michael Waltrip Racing. “It’s good to be back and it’s great to have an opportunity like this one,” said the 39-year-old Hyder. “I have a great deal of respect for Bill Davis. He’s been in this sport for a long time and has shown he knows what it takes to win. I’m looking forward to working with Jeremy, who has proven himself as a winner, Toyota, 360 OTC and everyone involved with the organization. I think there is a bright future at BDR and I’m glad to be a part of it. From what I can see, we have everything we need to build this #36 team into something we can all be proud of and I’m ready to get started.” Hyder, a native of High Point, N.C., started his racing career behind the wheel and spent 17 years competing in late model cars in both the Hooters Pro Cup and Slim Jim All-Pro Series’ before jumping on top the pit box and calling the shots as a crew chief in the Hooters Pro Cup ranks. He began his tenure in NASCAR at Petty Enterprises and spent over four years with that organization serving as the car chief for the #43 and #45 Cup teams. Hyder, who resides in Trinity, N.C. has two children, ages 13 and 17.(BDR PR)(5-29-2007)
