Ford hires former crew chief to oversee program

Elwood · January 30, 2003

By JENNA FRYER, AP Sports Writer

January 30, 2003

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Former crew chief Robin Pemberton was hired by Ford Racing on Thursday to run its NASCAR program.

Pemberton, who played a major role in the development of the Taurus, will be Ford's field manager and will be responsible for overseeing development in all three of NASCAR's top series.

``We've been looking for someone to fill this role for our program for some time, and there just aren't that many people who fit the bill,'' said Greg Specht, manager of Ford Racing. ``Robin fits it to a T, and we're just over the top with excitement. He's going to boost our morale and technology instantly.''

Pemberton led the development of the Ford Taurus when he was Rusty Wallace's crew chief at Penske South, creating what became the first full-time four-door entry in Winston Cup.

He was rewarded when Wallace took the new car to Victory Lane in its inaugural race at the 1998 Budweiser Shootout.

He spent seven years as Wallace's crew chief, teaming with him to win 12 races and finish in the top 10 of the point standings each season.

Pemberton left Penske South after the 2001 season and spent last year as vice president at Petty Enterprises, where he started his career as a mechanic in 1979.

Now he'll be responsible for improving a program that fields Fords for Roush Racing, Robert Yates Racing and others.

``From a team standpoint, what I think is going to help is that when I talk to them about an issue, I'll be coming from a direction that they know and understand,'' Pemberton said. ``I'll have respect for the pains and the problems they go through because I've been there myself.''

In 17 years as a Winston Cup crew chief, Pemberton won 23 races, had 149 top five finishes, 250 top 10 performances and 39 poles in 499 races.

January 30, 2003

Pemberton led the development of the Ford Taurus when he was Rusty Wallace's crew chief at Penske South, creating what became the first full-time four-door entry in Winston Cup.

Why is everyone's memory so short on the Lumina?

I remember when NASCAR had its "first" overseas race in Japan, too.

Everyone (including NASCAR) forgot about going to the Australia Thunderdome in the "80's.

MountaineerTom · January 31, 2003

The Lumina came in a 2 door model also.

January 31, 2003

The 2 door Lumina did not come out until AFTER it was in WC.

MountaineerTom · February 1, 2003

I didn't know that. Now I see what your saying.

bscottb · February 1, 2003

The 2 door Lumina did not come out until AFTER it was in WC.

You are certainly right. But the race version was always based on the two door model, not the four door.

February 2, 2003

The 2 door Lumina did not come out until AFTER it was in WC.

You are certainly right. But the race version was always based on the two door model, not the four door.

Right.

If you look at the Taurus racecar, you'll see that the "B" pillar is placed more like a 2 door car as well. If it was place where a 4 door normally would be, it would be awful tight for the driver getting in and out.

Shoot, Jimmy Spencer would be required to run GM and Mopar!

Elwood · February 2, 2003

Didn't they have to be offered 2 door to run in cup at the time, so they made arrangements that they would start designing a 2 door and eventualy release it if NASCAR would let them go ahead and use it. I'm not sure on this, but it seems like I remember something like that going on at the time. ???