Team Lowe’s Promotes Malec to Car Chief

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 8, 2003) - Team Lowe's Racing and Hendrick Motorsports announced today it has promoted Ron Malec to car chief of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet Monte Carlo effective immediately. Malec, 28, has been with Hendrick Motorsports and Team Lowe's for the past two seasons as a team mechanic and rear-tire carrier on race day. He replaces Jason Burdett, who recently left the team to pursue other racing interests. "Ron has been a vital part of Team Lowe's," explained crew chief Chad Knaus. "Since last season, we've been looking for a way to get his talents more involved with the team. Ron brings a lot of experience to the position, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to take on more responsibility. We're confident Team Lowe's won't miss a beat." The Franklin, Wis., native has a long history working with Team Lowe's driver Jimmie Johnson, dating back to Johnson's off-road racing days in 1996. Johnson and Malec have been teammates since 1998, when Johnson first drove for Herzog Motorsports in the ASA series. Additionally, they two worked together for two seasons in the NASCAR Busch Series with Herzog Motorsports before the joining Hendrick Motorsports and Team Lowe's Racing in 2002. "I've been with Ron for as long as I've driven stock cars," Johnson said. "He has tremendous motor sports knowledge and someone I've really come to respect. He brings so much to the team and leads by example through his hard work and dedication. We're lucky to have him on Team Lowe's, and he's ready for this challenge." Malec fueled his passion for motor sports by racing go-karts when he was 10 years old. After putting his racing days behind him in 1996, which included several years racing late-models, Malec began working on late-models for several Wisconsin-based teams. In 1999, he was named crew chief for a Rick Johnson-owned race team that earned rookie-of-the-year honors.