the #57 ppc Racing team has changed some its pit crew lineup this week in anticipation of tougher races to come and the need for faster pit times to deal with others chasing the championship. Jim Carbon, a member of Ricky Craven’s [#32] Winston Cup pit crew, is scheduled to change front tires for Keller in today’s Carquest 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, and Steve Helwig has joined the team as car chief. Carbon is a temporary fix to a tire-change problem that hurt the team last week at Nazareth, Pa., although Keller rebounded from a slow pit stop to win the race. The team hopes to fill the position with a permanent replacement. With vacancies — both real and anticipated — popping up in the Winston Cup garage, Keller’s name is among those being tossed around as possible replacements. He has stressed that he won’t jump to Winston Cup unless the situation is a good one because of the strong team ppc has built — Keller and teammate Scott Riggs have won six of the season’s 12 races. The ppc team, a dominant presence in Busch racing, may move into the Winston Cup series in a year or two if sponsorship dollars become available. That possibility also could impact decisions on Keller’s future.(Greenville News)(5-25-2002)
