September 6, 2002

A black Chevrolet suburban driving through the fog layered early morning hours arrives at a Winston Cup team garage. Out from the haze and mist steps the most dangerous figure in regard to corporate racing secrets known today.

Paul Andrews noted Winston Cup crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Inc (DEI).

For some time now we have tinkered with a theory that is playing out in a much different manner as originally thought. It was believed by some that DEI extended the contract of Steve Park in an effort to keep Park from walking out the door of DEI with trade secrets developed by the master mind of the seven time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt and, the crew he assembled to elevate DEI to the pinnacle of dominance in the super speedway game.

Park was at the forefront when DEI was formed and has been privy to information known only to those at the “garage mahal”. Technology is a fast moving and ever changing game in Winston Cup racing and an additional year on Parks contract with the proper handling (steve out of the loop) of technology information, would be enough time for DEI to protect any future plans they may have on the drawing board. Steve’s egress at the end of the extended contract would be a moot point with DEI being protected from any corporate exchange of information.

The parting of ways with Paul Andrews triggers a crucial balance at DEI and places a huge amount of technology information on the street available to the highest bidder. That bidder was announced on Wednesday as being Jack Roush.

Even with the introduction of confidentiality agreements it would be nearly impossible to keep Paul Andrews from sharing information with the Roush team. We believe that there is a wealth of information to be shared in regard to technique and procedure at DEI in many categories.

There is an old saying in this business, “speed cost, how fast do you want to go”

DEI is noted as spending millions on there super speedway program. A restrictor plate engine per day was reported as being placed on a dyno at the “garage mahal”. The RAD program and just the technique in which bodies are hung on the DEI cars for the super speedway effort only begin to scratch the surface of ideas that can be passed on as viable information. Paul Andrews is a guy that paid attention during his tenure with DEI and is an encyclopedia of acquired facts.

Jack Roush will certainly obtain results from his investment in Paul Andrews. Winston Cup racing is a business not to be taken lightly in regard to trade secrets. It is unbelievable to think that an organization the size of DEI can keep everything secret to be shared by only one or two people. In any corporate chain of command there is usually a need to know program in effect. Paul Andrews was high in that chain and was present through many of the decision making processes.

We look for Roush Racing to pick the brain of Paul Andrews with meticulous care. Paul is a smart guy that will make a great contribution to Roush Racing.

Will the technology torch be passed on with this move by Andrews? Only time will tell but it is believed with NASCAR calling for typical body locations for all teams and, highly scrutinized template inspections, the days of the super speedway dominance is in its twilight.

Can information be shared about the inner workings of DEI and is there something to be gained from that? No doubt!

This is a story that most reporters missed by only seeing a changing of the guard. Insider Racing News looked beyond that typical reasoning to bring you an additional view to ponder. We by no means suggest that Paul Andrews is committing any wrong doing in this matter. This sport in which we praise on Sunday is big business on Monday with respect to information technology. The sharing of that information is the point pondered.

You can contact Joe at: Insider Racing News