Fellows to replace Smith in No. 01 DEI entry this weekend; Smith in 81
Ron Fellows said after winning the NAPA Auto Parts 200 Nationwide Series race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve that he will drive Dale Earnhardt Inc.’s No. 01 Chevrolet in this weekend’s Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen International.
Fellows will replace regular driver Regan Smith the No. 01 entry. The team sits 32nd in the Cup owners standings, 87 points ahead of the 36th-place team of Michael McDowell. Fellows is an accomplished road racer who has five NASACR national series wins at the Glen. Smith is entered in the DEI No. 81, giving the organization five cars in the race.
Fellows is also campaigning to drive the No. 5 JR Motorsports Nationwide car at the Glen, though car owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. is slated to drive it. Fellows won at Montreal with the team Saturday.
Cam Strader, crew chief for JR Motorsports’ No. 5, said he joked with Earnhardt Jr. about being replaced this weekend.
“I told Dale Jr., ‘Maybe you’re going to be out, and Ron’s back in,’” Strader said.
Fellows said he would love to drive the car in this weekend’s Zippo 200.
“Cam here, maybe we’ll get on the phone here with Dale Jr. and lobby to see if he wants to have a little easier weekend,” Fellows said. “I’d love to drive the 5 car again.”
