| | | | | | NEW CREW CHIEF | Hendrick alum Meendering named crew chief for Labonte | |
| | By David Poole / The Charlotte Observer Jeff Meendering, who served as interim crew chief for Jeff Gordon's No. 24 Chevrolets for six races while Steve Letarte was on suspension, has been named crew chief for Bobby Labonte's No. 43 Dodges at Petty Enterprises.
Meendering, 30, takes over immediately and will be with the team as it participates in a tire test at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Dec. 11 and 12.
Meendering was with Hendrick Motorsports for 13 years and for the past two seasons has served as the team's car chief.
"The opportunity to lead a team with the winning tradition of the 43 car and work for a legend in Richard Petty felt like the perfect fit," said Meendering, who started out sweeping floors as a teen with the Hendrick team.
"I saw firsthand the commitment it takes in the shop to win races and championships," he said.
"Robbie Loomis gave me the opportunity to join the 24 team in 2001 and I learned from him, and Steve Letarte, how to prepare and execute at the track."
Loomis is now vice president of race operations for the Petty team.
"We see Jeff as another very important piece in our process of growing Petty Enterprises back into a championship-contending team," Loomis said.
"I've known Jeff for many years and I realize how truly lucky we are to have someone of his caliber join our organization."
| | Posted November 27, 2007 , 10:52 pm EST
Last Updated November 27, 2007 , 10:53 pm EST | | | | | | | | | | |
