Switching shops

McSwain joins Labonte after being released from contract

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Michael "Fatback" McSwain was released Wednesday from his contract at Robert Yates Racing, then immediately hired as Bobby Labonte's new crew chief.

McSwain was crew chief for Ricky Rudd at RYR for the past three seasons and was supposed to remain in that role next year with Elliott Sadler as the driver.

Instead, he'll take over for Jimmy Makar at Joe Gibbs Racing and try to return Labonte to championship form. Since winning the Winston Cup title two years ago, Labonte has been on a slow decline.

"I know what I am being brought into to accomplish, and I am looking forward to working with everyone to get Bobby and the No. 18 car back to the head table in New York," McSwain said.

McSwain's release from RYR marks the official dismantling of the No. 28 Ford and the team that returned it to prominence.

After several lean years, Rudd brought McSwain with him when Yates hired Rudd and they teamed to bring the car back into contention on a weekly basis. They won three races together, came close a handful of other times, were the closest challengers to Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon last season and finished in the top five in points their first two years.

But Rudd's contract was not renewed, and he's leaving for Sadler's old ride with The Wood Brothers. Havoline, Yates' sponsor since 1989, is moving to Chip Ganassi Racing next year and taking the No. 28 with it.

And now McSwain, the only expected holdover, also is leaving.

Raymond Fox III, the current car chief, will be Rudd's crew chief this weekend at North Carolina Speedway. Yates did not say who would take over McSwain's job on a permanent basis.

"I especially need to thank Ricky for giving me an opportunity back in 1999 and then bringing me with him over to Robert Yates Racing," McSwain said. "I also need to thank Robert and Carolyn Yates for everything they did for me. Without those people, I would not have the opportunity I do today."

At Gibbs, McSwain will take over the role Makar is vacating after 12 seasons. Makar, the longest tenured crew chief in NASCAR, is moving to team manager and giving up one of the most prestigious crew chief jobs in the garage.

"We are all very excited that we are able to announce Michael joining our organization," Gibbs said. "We feel as though he will be a good fit with everyone else we already have in place here. And most importantly, we all think he will be able to work very well with Jimmy in his new role, along with Bobby."

 

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