Pattie Named No. 25 Crew Chief

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 12, 2002) -- Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) president John Hendrick today named Brian Pattie as crew chief of the No. 25 UAW-Delphi Chevrolet through the remainder of the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season, replacing Ken Howes who returns to the role of HMS director of competition full time after seven races as interim crew chief. Pattie will assume the position immediately, leading the team into Sunday’s Winston Cup event at Michigan International Speedway with driver Joe Nemechek. “Brian will bring a youthful energy and an aggressive approach to Hendrick Motorsports,” said Hendrick. “He’s already developed a lot of chemistry with Joe after working with him for many years and we believe that relationship will pay dividends for the UAW-Delphi team on the racetrack.” The Zephyrhills, Fla., native joined Nemechek’s NASCAR Busch Series operation in 1994, working as chief mechanic until going to the No. 25 team of HMS for the 1996 season as a fabricator and mechanic. In 1997, he returned to NEMCO as crew chief, earning two victories and three pole positions with Nemechek’s Busch Series entry that year. “I’m excited about returning to Hendrick Motorsports and continuing my work with Joe on the Winston Cup level,” said Pattie. “I’ve got a great team, a talented driver and the best equipment in racing. I can’t wait to get to work.” The 27-year-old Pattie has earned 11 victories and nine pole positions in Busch Series competition with drivers Ron Fellows and Nemechek. In August 1999, he led Fellows to a second-place finish at Watkins Glen International in his first of four Winston Cup events as a crew chief.