Fw: Dean Johnson Named New Crew Chief for Brian Vickers
Dean Johnson Named New Crew Chief for Brian Vickers ----- Original Message ----- From: Kevin Steele To: bgibson@raceitcom.com ; jptrip@twave.net ; dhmarketing@conninc.com ; rogersp@rjrt.com ; mwhitlock@gmrmarketing.com ; jennys@retailsportsmarketing.com ; glarkin@gal-ent.com ; bdtotten@aol.com ; ben@bristolmotorspeedway.com ; tpierce@saralee.com ; bkelly@eibach.com ; crowinc@msn.com ; esxpartser@mindspring.com ; ferrea@bellsouth.net ; warren.usa@sparco.it ; scott.usa@sparco.it ; bclark@iowaexportimport.com ; wayneh@ringersgloves.com ; Kyle_Kietzmann@bellsport.com ; jay_rohrback@fmo.com ; mike_tritle@autometer.com ; glenn_hayes@fmo.com ; kevin@powermastermotorsports.com ; rstephens@msdignition.com ; chad.usa@sparco.it ; vcoscia@allmidwestsales.com ; davis@tvilletimes.com ; usar@bellsouth.net ; dustin_long@news-record.com ; fastrack@aol.com ; lmdigest@grove.net ; motormag1@aol.com ; racercar@aol.com ; bkiser@goracing.com ; jesmith5@ithink.net ; news@chasinracin.com ; info@pitstop.com ; mrsunrise@usa.net ; twir@aol.com ; bphillips@hpe.com ; gsmith@hpe.com ; rbrenner@wghp.com ; pschoener@wjhl.com ; Gsmith3@triad.rr.com ; dberggren@speedwayillustrated.com ; adman@aarn.com ; JewettL@emapusa.com ; jay@racefan.com ; results@racefan.com ; jdrown@schoolsports.com ; erniesaxton@compuserve.com ; crane@magicnet.net ; smcmurray@amcity.com ; info@karnac.com ; speedsportnew3@earthlink.net ; shurling@wghp.com ; ondeeair@aol.com ; primail@performanceracing.com ; racersrus@aol.com ; msw@evansnewspaper.com ; kimberly_denike@sv-oln.com ; speedwayusa@hotmail.com ; earl@aarn.com ; news@aarn.com ; rickben@worldnet.att.net ; sfolk@dnp.com ; adavid@foodcity.com ; lcroy@onemain.net ; wamplerm@foodcity.com ; mwhite@naturallyfresh.com ; thembree@foodcity.com ; Becky Cecil ; tpierce@saralee.com ; amesches@naturallyfresh.com ; paulharvey@stewartcomponents.com ; blarche@emp-corp.com ; jaredm@synerlec.com ; diplomatinn@aol.com ; toddh@oakley.com ; lieslh@oakley.com Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2001 1:09 PM Subject: Dean Johnson Named New Crew Chief for Brian Vickers Dean Johnson Named New Crew Chief for Brian Vickers Stevie Leavitt to Continue as Chassis Specialist & Team Consultant Thomasville, NC - BLV Motorsports Inc. has announced that Dean Johnson has been named crew chief for the #42 Stewart Components Chevrolet Monte Carlo and driver Brian Vickers, the 17-year-old 2000 USAR Hooters ProCup Series ³Rookie-of-the-Year.² In a joint announcement effective immediately, the team also revealed that chassis builder Stevie Leavitt, serving as Vickers¹ crew chief since June of 2000, will remain with BLV Motorsports as the team¹s chassis specialist and team consultant. This strategic move is designed to strengthen the short and long term success of BLV Motorsports and the team¹s full time entry in the USAR Hooters ProCup Series, as well as a planned transition to the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series in 2002. ³The whole team is really excited about Dean coming aboard. He has a lot of experience and brings a lot of knowledge with him. We can¹t thank Stevie enough for all his help. When he started last season, he was only supposed to be with us for a couple of events until we found a full time crew chief. A year later we were glad to still have him here. He is going to remain with us as a consultant and we will continue to value him as a huge part of our team,² stated Vickers. Johnson has successfully worked with a number of top drivers and teams in the sport throughout the past several years, serving as crew chief for Mike Dillon in the Busch Grand National Series and on a limited basis for Mike Skinner in the Winston Cup Series at Richard Childress Racing. Johnson also worked in the research & development department at RCR for the #3 and #31 teams. Since September of 2000, Johnson served as car chief for the #92 Melling Racing Winston Cup Series entry driven by Stacy Compton. ³I am very excited about working with and up an coming driver such as Brian and this team. My goal is to help Brian and the team get to the next level and succeed,² quoted Johnson. Leavitt¹s lateral move will allow the renowned chassis builder to devote more time to his business - Steve Leavitt Racing. ³There was just too much to do in a week and my business was starting to struggle as a result of it. I am going to remain with the team as a consultant. Dean will be great asset for everyone associated with Brian and the team. He will be able to help take them to the next level,² stated Leavitt. Leavitt led the 17-year-old Vickers and BLV Motorsports to two victories in the 2000 USAR Hooters ProCup Series, as well as the ³Rookie-of-the-Year² title and a third place in the overall championship standings. Brian Vickers and BLV Motorsports will be back in action this weekend at Thompson International Speedway in Thompson, CT for the second event of the USAR Hooters ProCup North Series. Qualifying for the Naturally Fresh 200 will be Saturday at 4:00pm and the green flag will drop on Sunday, May 6th at 1:30pm. The event can be heard live at www.liveonthenet.com. For More Information, Contact: Kevin J. Steele BLV Motorsports (336) 472-2242 phone (336) 472-0378 fax