JGR says crew chief Zipadelli will remain with team next season
Tony Stewart has only had one crew chief for all 338 of the Cup series races in his career, Greg Zipadelli, but that appears likely to change next season.
As part of Joe Gibbs Racing’s announcement Wednesday that Stewart will leave the team at the end of the 2008 season, a news release also said his parting “will end the longest active driver/crew chief relationship in the Sprint Cup garage.”
“No matter what, Tony and I will remain close friends,” Zipadelli said in the release. “I know when it comes to the No. 20 team, things will obviously be a lot different next year, but I remain as committed as ever this year to winning races with Tony and securing our spot in the Chase [For The NASCAR Sprint Cup] to contend for a third championship.”
Stewart said Zipadelli is the “best example” of JGR’s philosophy of surrounding him with “great people.”
“We’ve accomplished so much in our 10 years together on the track, and off the track, he’s been like a big brother to me,” Stewart said. “It’s a friendship I cherish and expect to continue, even while he stays at Joe Gibbs Racing and I move on.”
