Chrud Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- One of the important cogs in Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s restrictor-plate dominance has moved to another team. Richard "Slugger" Labbe, former crew chief for Michael Waltrip at DEI, has been hired to oversee Evernham Motorsports' speedway development program for drivers Kasey Kahne's and Jeremy Mayfield's restrictor-plate efforts. Labbe has already started work in Evernham's Statesville, N.C., shop in preparation for the 2005 season, which opens with the Daytona 500 -- a restrictor-plate race. Labbe joined DEI in September 2001 as crew chief for Michael Waltrip's No. 15 team, leading him to three victories, all on plate tracks. In October, Labbe was removed in favor of Pete Rondeau. Labbe spent the rest of the season working with DEI's championship-contending teams in Nextel Cup and the Busch Series. DEI's record on plate tracks is enviable. Either Waltrip or Dale Earnhardt Jr. has won 11 of the past 16 restrictor-plate races since 2001. By comparison, the best an Evernham car could do in 2004 on a plate track was Mayfield's 21st-place finish at Talladega. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest deldeer Posted December 5, 2004 Report Share Posted December 5, 2004 Re: Slugger to Evernham it's a big loss for dei, however, i think they will continue to dominate the restrictor plate program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedicast Posted December 6, 2004 Report Share Posted December 6, 2004 Re: Slugger to Evernham [ QUOTE ] it's a big loss for dei, however, i think they will continue to dominate the restrictor plate program. [/ QUOTE ] I hope so. This could be a big loss for DEI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTF Posted December 7, 2004 Report Share Posted December 7, 2004 Re: Slugger to Evernham Boy if that dont step up the #9 and #19 on plate races then I dont know what will. Slugger has way too much info and for DEI to let him go, I feel is a mistake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrud Posted December 7, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2004 Re: Slugger to Evernham The 9 has to improve at plate tracks, he's been terrible at them. I think they'll improve, but not so drastically. That is one part of DEI that was let go. What made DEI so strong is that the entire organization knew what they were doing with the plate cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted December 7, 2004 Report Share Posted December 7, 2004 Re: Slugger to Evernham THAT MIGHT BE A BLOW TO DEI THIS YEAR ON PLATE TRACKS.THIS GUY KNOWS HIS STUFF ABOUT PLATE RACING.WE'LL FIND OUT IN FEBRUARY. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest deldeer Posted December 7, 2004 Report Share Posted December 7, 2004 Re: Slugger to Evernham as much as i hate to say it, you can't forget about eury sr. he knows them plate cars also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdvantageTimberLou Posted December 7, 2004 Report Share Posted December 7, 2004 Re: Slugger to Evernham I would not worry too much. DEI has one of the most innovative engine shops around. Slugger didn't take that. Plus unless Evernham switches to Chevrolet Monte Carlos from his Dodge fleet it won't matter. DEI will still have a 1...2 punch when it comes to Daytona and 'Dega. Slugger was good don't get me wrong but DEI has some awesome resources and their engine shop, the guys you don't here about are the magic behind the DEI power along with the guys in the body shop. Unless Evernham snags little E I wouldn't worry. I think Dale Jr. is just like his dad, he can see the air and when its time to roll, he rolls. His dad was the master at making moves with no dancing partners and Junior has already showed his strength by going alone at times. Should be a fun Daytona 500! Lou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrud Posted December 7, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2004 Re: Slugger to Evernham Very good point Lou, Dodges are a lot different than Chevys. Plus, isn't Dodge changing from the Intrepid to something else this year? As far as I'm concerned, it's like starting from scratch for Slugger. As much as I like him and hated to see him let go, I don't think it'll be huge. Now, the question is whether Truex will go with the 1 or the 15 in 2006. Mikey HAS to make the chase or his days at DEI are done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest deldeer Posted December 7, 2004 Report Share Posted December 7, 2004 Re: Slugger to Evernham dodge is bringing the charger back, in 2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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