Brad Parrott out as Jarrett's crew chief

Elwood · April 9, 2003

April 9, 2003

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- Brad Parrott was released as Dale Jarrett's crew chief Wednesday after seven races and one win. His brother, Todd Parrott, is taking a leave of absence as team manager

Garth Finley and Richard Buck will run Jarrett's team at Martinsville Speedway this weekend.

``We are in the business of winning races and championships,'' said Doug Yates, general manager of Robert Yates Racing. ``For the last several races, this team hasn't performed to the level that we know it is capable of performing.

Brad Parrott took over for his brother this season when Todd gave up his job as crew chief to move into a competition-based role for RYR drivers Jarrett and Elliott Sadler.

Brad Parrott won in just his second race, guiding Jarrett to a win at North Carolina Speedway. It was Jarrett's only top 10 finish of the season. The 1999 Winston Cup champion is 12th in the point standings.

This is the second straight quick crew chief change for Jarrett. Jimmy Elledge left a few races into the 2002 season when he and Todd Parrott were struggling to work together.

JonesNTN · April 10, 2003

It sounds like DJ has problem to me. Sounds like he can't manage to get along with anbody except for Todd. Problem is Todd doesn't want to Crew Cheif anymore. A lady that went to 'dega told me she heard lots of bickering between Brad and DJ during the race. I personally don't like Todd's attitude, due to his constant comments about other teams and what he also said about Stewarts team after their car was confiscated. Something like "What they did was a clear violation and signifigant performance enhancement, I believe they have cheated like this all last year."

SilveradoWV · April 10, 2003

There are a few people like crew chiefs and stuff that I dont care for. They always have something to complain about. If I remeber correctly one of the anouncers asked Dale Jarrett who was at the disadvantage when it came to drafting and downforce and he said Fords, and Larry Mac said it had to be under the hood, because the bodies are the same. I thought that was tellin the truth. But I guess crew chiefs do have a pretty stressful job, if something isnt going right thats where the blame goes. Some people are always whiners though.

MountaineerTom · April 10, 2003

I think Todd is on an "extended leave of absence" too.

MountaineerTom · April 10, 2003

From Jayski's

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Robert Yates Racing announced changes to the management structure of the #88 UPS team. Effective immediately, Brad Parrott has been released from crew chief duties on the #88 team. Additionally, Competition Director Todd Parrott has taken an indefinite leave of absence from Robert Yates Racing. General Manager Doug Yates hopes the change will give the team the opportunity to take a step back, regroup and get the race program on target for the remainder of 2003. The 2003 season got off to a strong start for Dale Jarrett and the #88 Robert Yates Racing team with a 10th-place finish at Daytona, and a win at Rockingham. Jarrett was second in the points following the win at Rockingham in February, but currently sits 12th. Daytona and Rockingham are the #88 team's only top-10 finishes in 2003. The #88 team will be under the temporary leadership of Garth Finley and Richard Buck this weekend at Martinsville. Yates believes this change in personnel is necessary to get the #88 team back to championship form. "We are in the business of winning races and championships," Yates said. "For the last several races, this team hasn't performed to the level that we know it is capable of performing. We said at the beginning of 2003 we would do whatever it took to get the #88 team and Dale Jarrett back to championship contending form. This wasn't an easy decision but it was a necessary one, and we hopefully will be able to get the #88 team back to victory lane and back to where they are the team everyone looks to beat." Doug Yates and Dale Jarrett will be available for questions in the infield media center at Martinsville Speedway this Friday, April 11th at 10:30am/et.(Elevation Motorsports/RYR PR) and see articles at ThatsRacin.com and Ford Racing(4-9-2003)

Shadowfax · April 10, 2003

Its all because DJ won't drive the truck

If he would just drive the truck once, everything would be better

MountaineerTom · April 10, 2003

antig24 · April 11, 2003

hehe, the truck makes everything better

Kansas Kid · April 11, 2003

It sounds like DJ has problem to me. Sounds like he can't manage to get along with anbody except for Todd.

I agree. About three weeks into the season I told my dad that this was going to happen to the 88 team sooner rather then later. And if it happens two years in a row, I doubt the problem is with the crew chief....

Elwood · April 12, 2003

I heard today during qualifying that Doug is already car chief for the #99 car.

JonesNTN · April 12, 2003

I heard today during qualifying that Doug is already car chief for the #99 car.

You mean Brad right? What about Todd? anybody want to guess where he'll end up?I am guessing Penske, or some other Dodge team.

Elwood · April 13, 2003

Yeah I meant Brad. I'm going to have to quick replying to things while I'm at work. Too many other things going on, I typed in another guys name that I was talking to in a paper I was writing too. Good thing I caught it before I turned it in.