Green fired from Richard Childress Racing

Elwood · May 5, 2003

By JENNA FRYER, AP Sports Writer

May 5, 2003

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Jeff Green was fired by Richard Childress Racing on Monday, two days after arguing with the car owner following a wreck with teammate Kevin Harvick.

``Our relationship was not where we had hoped it would be at this point, so we decided to make this move now,'' Childress said. ``Jeff is a very good race car driver, but sometimes change can be good for everyone involved.''

No replacement driver was named.

Green and Harvick had run-ins before they were teammates at RCR, but seemingly put their differences aside since Green was hired fulltime in 2002.

That changed after Saturday night's race at Richmond International Raceway.

Green was running fifth when he drove low on the track to try to avoid an accident in front of him. But he moved into Harvick's way and Harvick hit him in the rear end and turned Green into the Turn 2 wall.

``It was all good, got to the bottom of the racetrack and (Harvick) ran over me,'' Green said after the accident. ``It's one thing to get spun out. It's another thing to get spun out by your teammate. Can't hardly swallow that. Tough to be teammates when it seems like there's only one car at RCR.''

After exiting his wrecked car, Green stormed over to Harvick's pit stall to discuss the accident with Harvick's crew, but was intercepted by Childress.

``I'm trying to be the best teammate I can be and some other people don't be -- that's what I told (Richard),'' Green said.

Green, who won the pole for the season-opening Daytona 500 this year, was the driver for the No. 30 Chevrolet since its inception for an eight-race schedule in 2001. He finished 17th in the 2002 points standings and is in 32nd place after the first 11 races this season.

He earned two pole positions during his tenure at RCR, and won two Busch Series races for RCR last season.

This is a big shock to me, but to be honest I'm glad. I can't stand Green. I like harvck quite a bit. I'm not a huge Robby Gordon fan, but his attitude seems to being slowly changing for the better, so he might be ok. I just wonder who will drive the #30 now, maybe one of the Sauters from BGN? It'll be interesting to see who gets that ride.

Of course it's not a real suprise that Childress would choose Harvick over Green. Harvick would've been in the #30 car and Green wouldn't have even had a Cup ride had Earnhardt not been killed.

antig24 · May 6, 2003

That is kinda suprising to me but in a way I'm glad, no matter what Green did it wasn't his fault, it was always somebody elses fault. I'm sure Green saying that RCR acted like a 1 car team didn't help his status at all.

gave20 · May 6, 2003

I guess it doesn't pay to mouth off to your teammate. I'm not to suprised either he was let go seems RCR has a bad knack for getting nowhere drivers: Skinner, Harvick, Gordon, Greene, Marcis who can be next how bout a Bodine?

SilveradoWV · May 6, 2003

I dont care much for any of the RCR drivers, I dont like Green or Gordon and Harvick just gets on my nerves. He seems to be all talk and no action, like he's good or something. Oh well, maybe another young rookie will get a shot!

Elwood · May 6, 2003

I guess it doesn't pay to mouth off to your teammate. I'm not to suprised either he was let go seems RCR has a bad knack for getting nowhere drivers: Skinner, Harvick, Gordon, Greene, Marcis who can be next how bout a Bodine?

Marcis?? If you're talking about Dave when he ran some with RCr assistance geez. Dave Marcis was a huge part of this sport. If you're not, then I'm not sure who you mean.

Skinner yeah that turned out terrible, but it was a risk alot of people would've taken if they had a guy that did that well in the truck series.

Green, I never understood, because he wasn't any good the first time he was in Cup, I think it was just the easiest pick to fill in the #30 when Harvick had to take Earnhardt's ride.

Gordon I didn't understand either, however he is in the top 15 in points so far this year, so it isn't as bad as it seems.

As for Harvick, he did win ROTY and the BGN Championship in the same year. He's not all that bad, I think he'll pan out to be pretty good, but you never know.

Firetiger(MN) · May 6, 2003

Two words for Green:

SEE YA!

Couldn't stand that whiner.

General Lee 01 · May 6, 2003

To tell yall the truth, Richard Childress has not got the eye for talent these days.

If he did, Jamie Mcmurray would be in either the 30 or 31 car by now.

Shadowfax · May 6, 2003

Personally I think Kevin is a great talent. 8th in points, Robby Gordon now moving up a few spots and hes just outside the Top 10 both drivers have brought victories to RCR on the cup side, something Green didn't.

Im also pretty sure when Green got in Richard's face and cussed and fussed he didn't help his cause any.

BTW Kevin Harvick wasn't tapped by RC. Dale Earnhardt was the one who found him and told Richard that "If you don't hire him, I will"

Kevin is a fantastic talent and in his first year he won 2 races, finished 9th in points, and also caputred the 01 BGN Championship, second year was an off year, sophmore slump but he still won at least a race. Robby Gordon is a talent that I believe if can ever be reigned in just right can be made into a winner.

#### he drove from 4 laps down from a tire problem to lead the race and finish 4th on saturday night. I think if RC keeps working with him he'll have him on the right path. Hes up to 13th now in the points.