NASCAR Daily News Headlines * December 5, 2007

No. 66 Gets New Crew Chief

“Dave Skog has been with us for four years and has really impressed us with not only his knowledge, but also his passion for what we do,” said team general manager Joe Custer. “Dave’s tenacity for learning the COT was a huge factor in our early success with that program and he has firmly established himself as a leader in our organization.”

The change comes after Haas CNC Racing and Harold Holly mutually part ways. “I appreciate the opportunities Haas has provided me and the professionalism Joe (Custer) has demonstrated during my time here, but I look forward to pursuing other opportunities,” said Holly. -- Custer said, “I appreciate everything that Harold has done for us over the past few years.”

Skog, a native of Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada, says he is confident in the team’s equipment and his challenge will be to form a cohesive team. “I’m thrilled with the opportunity Haas CNC racing has presented me,” said Skog. “With the COTs being relatively the same, I believe the challenge comes down to personnel – getting the right people in the right places and then getting everyone to move in the same direction. There is a tremendous amount of potential in this team,” said Skog. “I’m definitely excited to be working again with Jeremy. We clicked well in 2002 and I’m looking forward to doing it again,” he added.

In addition to his stint at Evernham Motorsports, Skog’s 12 years of Cup experience include time as a shock engineer and car chief on Childress Racing’s No. 31 team with driver Mike Skinner, and as a shock engineer with Rudd Motorsports.

Crew Members Needed

Charles Moles, Pit Crew Coordinator
Morgan-McClure Motorsports
26502 Newbanks Road
Abingdon, VA 24210

Prior experience is not required but definitely a plus. Weekend travel is required. Resumes must be received by Friday, December 28, 2007. References will be checked and qualified applicants will be contacted regarding a one-on-one interview at the MMM facility in Abingdon, VA on Wednesday, January 2 through Friday, January 4 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM. The positions will be full-time so experience with any aspect of stock car racing is also of interest. Anyone with prior injuries or surgeries will need a signed release from their physician to be considered for the positions since participation in a vigorous daily workout program is required once hired.

2008 Test Schedule Set

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series testing sessions begin at Daytona International Speedway with NASCAR Preseason Thunder, starting Monday, Jan. 7 and running through Wednesday, Jan. 9 for approximately half of the teams. Thursday, Jan. 10 is the rain date, if necessary. The following week, the remaining teams will test Monday, Jan. 14 through Wednesday, Jan. 16, with Thursday, Jan. 17 as the rain date. Test sessions at Daytona are scheduled for 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., weather permitting, with an hour lunch break from noon until 1 p.m.

The remaining five tracks that will host test sessions for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series include:

The NASCAR Nationwide Series likewise kicks off its testing schedule with NASCAR Preseason Thunder at Daytona International Speedway. Approximately half of the teams are scheduled for Friday, Jan. 18 through Sunday, Jan. 20 and the remaining teams slated for Sunday, Jan. 20 through Tuesday, Jan. 22. The remaining testing schedule for the NASCAR Nationwide Series includes:

Wallace Signs Max Papis

Noted team owner and NASCAR legend, Rusty Wallace, “I’m extremely pleased to announce Max Papis as the driver of our No. 64 for the road course events in 2008. When we looked at the 2008 schedule, we wanted to head to the road course events knowing that we had an edge over the competition. That’s why we chose Max Papis to drive the 64 car. His diverse record of longevity and success proved to us that he has what it takes to put our team in victory lane in 2008.”

While unknown to some, the relationship between Rusty Wallace and Max Papis actually originated in the mid-1990’s, when both drove cars sponsored by the Miller Brewing Company. During that time, Wallace wheeled for Penske Racing in NASCAR, while Papis drove in the CART series for Team Rahal. Stated Wallace, “I had a lot of fun with Max back when we both drove for Miller Lite; we did a lot of commercial shoots and appearances together during that time and that’s when I really started to learn about Max and his tremendous background.”

Papis’s background is indeed one of the most diverse in all of motorsports, consisting of race cars from NASCAR to Formula One and nearly everything in between. His 20-plus year career began in the early 1980’s, when he was named to the Italian national karting team. Since then, Papis has scored victories in many of the world’s greatest motorsports series, including CART, Italian Formula 3, International Formula 3000, IMSA World Sports Car, the American LeMans Series, Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series and SCCA World Challenge GT. Max reached the pinnacle of European motorsports, Formula 1, in 1995 with the Arrows operation, before moving stateside, where he would capture an overall win in the prestigious Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2002 and go on to win the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series championship in 2004. Currently, Papis serves as a driver for Chevrolet’s factory Corvette operation in the American LeMans Series and scored a third place finish, after starting from the outside pole, in the inaugural NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in 2007.