Johnson expects crew changes this season

By Bob Pockrass

Sunday, January 06, 2008

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Jimmie Johnson said Sunday he expects to have two new tire changers with his Hendrick Motorsports team in 2008.

Rear-tire carrier Ron Malec, the car chief, remains with the No. 48 team as does Kenneth Purcell, who was jacking the car during the latter part of 2007. Front-tire carrier Art Simmons also will return, a team spokesman confirmed Sunday night in clarifying Johnson's earlier remarks over the team's changes.

"It was a tough thing, we've won championships with these guys," said Johnson, who was at Daytona International Speedway testing Sunday for the Rolex 24 At Daytona. "But we just felt like we could be a little faster and we needed to make some changes.

"It didn't go over easily with everybody, but [crew chief] Chad [Knaus has] got to make those decisions and we feel it will make our team stronger."

Rear-tire changer Tim Ladyga has moved to the Jeff Gordon team, Johnson said.

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