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NASCAR: Melling Racing Names Moore Crew Chief

10 June 1999

CONCORD, N.C. -- Newt Moore has been named crew chief of the No. 9 Melling Racing Ford driven by Jerry Nadeau, beginning with the June 13 Kmart 400 at Michigan Speedway.

Moore, 36, joined Melling Racing in late May as car chief and was responsible for car setup, shocks and chassis. He will continue to work closely with team manager Jeff Buice, who is taking on more responsibilities with the organization in that position.

"When we brought Newt on board last month, part of the plan was for him to eventually become crew chief so I could concentrate on my role as team manager," said Buice. "I have been wearing two hats this year, and that's been too much. Now I will be able to spend more time working with the management of the team to take some of the burden off of Mark (Melling)."

"This is all part of a process to fine tune our team chemistry," said Mark Melling, 29, vice president and general manager of Melling Racing. "This move will help everyone make their best contributions to the team. Like a race car, a team needs a good setup and that's what we are working to achieve."

Moore's responsibilities as crew chief will include overseeing at-track operations for Melling Racing. He will also continue his work on car setup, shocks and chassis.

Nadeau posted his career-best NASCAR finish -- eighth -- in the April 25 DieHard 500 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. His best qualifying position this year was fourth in the April 18 Goody's Body Pain 500 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

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