Odd man out
One of the more useful skills I learned when covering K-12 education was how to read press releases. Specifically, I figured out how to find what was missing. This little skill came in handy, especially when Guilford County Schools was announcing one of its mid-summer principal shuffles and I had to figure out which principal had suddenly decided to take care of an ill family member, move out of state or dig out those retirement papers.
That skill came in handy when I was looking through this convoluted little note from Robert Yates Racing.
Here's the short version: Todd Parrott, Dale Jarrett's past and most recent crew chief, is the odd man out. Again.
Slugger Labbe is now Jarrett's tenth different crew chief since 2001, when Parrott got promoted at Yates and later ended up as Elliott Sadler's crew chiew. In order, Jarrett's crew chiefs have been Jimmy Elledge, Parrott (he replaced Elledge after six races in 2002), Brad Parrott (Todd's brother), Garth Finley, Richard Buck, Shawn Parker, Mike Ford (who quit in May 2005), Billy Wilburn (who was fired in September), Parrott again (for the final 10 races) and now Labbe.
Parrott was atop Jarrett's pit box for two of DJ's three Daytona 500 wins, 26 wins and the 1999 Cup championship. Since Parrott gave up the gig after the 2001 season, Jarrett's done a big bunch of not much.
I'd trade this little skill of reading between the lines of press releases for a glimpse inside the Yates/Jarrett camp. What in the heck is going on in there?
Comments (1)
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I'm having to work this week, so I'm assuming this means T Parrott is completely gone from the Yates organization?
I do recall that this is Slugger Laebe's 2nd go with Yates. I think his first time there dates atleast back to Ernie Irvan and maybe Davey Allison. I kinda remember him as a tire changer for the team long ago.
Posted on November 29, 2005 7:26 PM