Reno replaces Moore as Sauter's Nationwide crew chief
By Lee Montgomery - Associate Editor
Saturday, March 08, 2008
HAMPTON, Ga. – Phoenix Racing General Manager Marc Reno said Friday at Atlanta Motor Speedway that he has taken over as crew chief for Nationwide Series driver Johnny Sauter, replacing Newt Moore.
Moore is no longer with the team, sources close to the team said Friday.
“We don’t really talk about internal stuff too much,” Reno said when asked about the personnel moves. “If somebody else wants to, that’s fine. We’re over it, we’re on to our next program.”
The team was penalized for a loose oil tank cover discovered after qualifying at Daytona. Moore, who joined the team three days before the race, was suspended six races, but the National Stock Car Racing Commission reduced it to two events.
Twenty-five point penalties to Sauter and the team were upheld, as was the $15,000 fine to Moore. Reno said the team would pay Moore’s fine.
Sauter is 15th in the points standings, with a best finish of 13th at Daytona, in his return to the James Finch-owned team.
“We’re going to try to see if we can get back to some basics and get out deals running a little better and give Johnny some better cars to drive,” Reno said. “Me and James just decided we better get back to grass-roots racing and see if we can make it work on our own. It seems like the more help we get, the farther behind we get.
“I’ll be honest with you, we were afraid that if we kept hiring crew chiefs that we’d end up out of business. We figured if we’re going to run ourselves out of business, we’d do it on our own.”
Reno said he would remain as crew chief for “a little while.”
Popular News
-
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS: Which Sprint Cup star will snap his long winless streak first?
Comments (188) -
For Dale Earnhardt Jr., life as an Earnhardt is not easy, especially when you're not winning
Comments (139) -
Jeff Owens: Should RCR’s black No. 3 return to NASCAR’s Cup series?
Comments (120) -
Hendrick Motorsports’ Mark Martin more prepared mentally and physically for 2010
Comments (105) -
Dale Earnhardt Inc. plans for Jeffrey Earnhardt still in flux
Comments (96)
Recent Headlines
-
SEASON PREVIEW: Mike Skinner optimistic about 2010 prospects
Comments (1) -
SEASON PREVIEW: Camping World Truck Series top-20 rankings
Comments (3) -
Josh Wise to drive in Nationwide Series for Specialty Racing
Comments (2) -
HBO’s ‘24/7 Jimmie Johnson’ documentary series expected to shift into high gear tonight
Comments (27) -
SEASON PREVIEW: Roush Fenway Racing’s Carl Edwards hungry to regain place among Sprint Cup’s elite
Comments (15)
Poll PositionView All
After qualifying and the Budweiser Shootout, who is the favorite to win the Daytona 500?
Promotions
-
Tweet your thoughts about each race and join the conversation with other fans.
-
Drive an authentic NASCAR Sprint Cup car at the NASCAR Racing Experience.