Crew chief Wolfe finds familiarity in new home at Michael Waltrip Racing
By Lee Montgomery - Associate Editor
Sunday, July 20, 2008
- TEXT SIZE: Increase Text Size Decrease Text Size Reset Text Size
- No Comments. Leave a Comment
- Digg This
- Add to Del.icio.us
- RSS Feeds
Latest Headlines
- ABC’s overnight TV ratings for Charlotte Cup race drop 12.5 percent
- Nationwide COT will not make its race debut until 2010
- Rea White: Chase For The Sprint Cup filled with intriguing storylines
- Justin Allgaier wins ARCA title; Scott Speed parked in final race
- Richard Childress Racing's Jeff Burton finds enjoyment in title chase
MADISON, Ill. – Paul Wolfe realizes it’s a little strange that he’s back working on Fitz Motorsports’ No. 22 Dodge Nationwide Series cars. After the ugliness of court injunctions, one would figure this would be the last place the crew chief would end up.
But that’s exactly where Wolfe is, though he’s not getting his paychecks from Fitz. Michael Waltrip Racing hired Wolfe to serve as crew chief for its development driver, Josh Wise. And MWR has contracted with Fitz Motorsports to run the No. 22 entry for the rest of the year. A switch from Dodge to Toyota is in the works, too, but there is no timeline for the team to make the move.
“Michael Waltrip Racing hired me to work with the driver-development deal and Josh Wise,” Wolfe said at Gateway International Raceway, site of this weekend’s race. “Obviously, I’m familiar with all these cars. They’re all cars I built. I’m looking forward to the future with the Waltrips.
“It’s kinda weird how I’m back over there now. But I’ve still got some good guys who have been working hard since I’ve been gone. We’ll try to give Josh the best chance we can to see what he can do.”
Wolfe started the year at Fitz, working as crew chief for Mike Bliss. But after Wolfe left for Braun Racing, Fitz filed injunctions to keep Wolfe from attending at least one race. Those cases have been dropped, Wolfe said, as he left Braun and driver Jason Leffler earlier this week.
“Some deals fit certain people,” Wolfe said. “I tried to fit in and make that deal work, but the way I saw things could have been different than other people. It just wasn’t working, I didn’t feel. …
“I never really thought we were getting where we needed to be.”
Wolfe reports to Ty Norris, vice president and general manager of MWR. But his situation at Fitz isn’t much different than earlier this year with the team, when owner Armando Fitz let Wolfe run the competition side without interference.
Wise said he was “super excited” about this weekend’s race, his ninth with Fitz but his first with Wolfe.
“I really haven’t had a crew chief since I started at Lowe’s [Motor Speedway],” Wise said. “We were kind of crew-chiefing by committee, the group of guys that were there. That’s tough to do at this level.
“We have a good group of guys and everybody knows what they’re supposed to do, but you still need that direction and leadership.”
As part of the deal, MWR will supply a pit crew for the team, and when Wise begins driving Toyotas later this year, a free flow of information between Fitz and MWR should take place.
No Comments
Be the first to comment on "Crew chief Wolfe finds familiarity in new home at Michael Waltrip Racing". Login or sign up for a free account below to post your comment