NASCAR WCUP: McReynolds and RCR Agree to Terms Through 2002
24 July 1999
HARRISBURG, N.C. -- Larry McReynolds ended speculation of becoming a team owner next season when he signed a contract extension with Richard Childress Racing to remain as the crew chief of the Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse Racing team through the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season."I am very relieved that I know my future for the next three years and I cannot tell you how excited I am about the future of the Lowes team," McReynolds said. "I did not want people to think that the No. 31 was my second fiddle and I would just stay with it if my attempts to start my own team fell through. I believe in this race team. I believe in Mike Skinner and everything were doing here at RCR. I would not stay if my heart was not here."
McReynolds, 40, has been the crew chief for Mike Skinner and the No. 31 Team Lowe Home Improvement Warehouse Racing Chevrolet since June 1998, when he came across the street from Richard Childress Racings other Winston Cup program with driver Dale Earnhardt. Prior to that, he had been with Robert Yates Racing since 1991. He has 23 NASCAR Winston Cup victories and 18 pole positions since first becoming a crew chief in 1985. His victories include two Daytona 500s, with the late Davey Allison (1992) and Earnhardt (1998), and consecutive wins in The Winston (1991, 92) with Allison.
"I think that the long-term plan for Lowes and RCR to have a three-year commitment is very beneficial," said Childress. "Larrys decision to stay on at RCR through 2002 gives everyone involved with this racing program a sense of stability. It gives our whole race team the comfort that they have a leader that they feel very good about, and who has led them to some very successful runs."
Under McReynolds guidance this season, Skinner and Team Lowes Racing has four top-five and eight top-10 finishes in 18 starts. Overall, the team has produced eight top-five and 16 top-10 finishes during McReynolds tenure. Other highlights include victories at last years exhibition race at Motegi, Japan, the 1999 Bud Shootout qualifying race and the 1999 The Winston No Bull 25 qualifying race for The Winston Open.
"This agreement gives me more time to work with Larry and strengthen the racing program," said Mike Skinner, driver of the No. 31 Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse Chevrolet. "Most of the successful teams in NASCAR Winston Cup racing have longevity in their personnel, and this will create the opportunity to build longevity with our program."
"We are very pleased that Larry will continue his involvement with the Lowe s Home Improvement Warehouse team," said Bob Tillman, chairman and CEO of Lowes Companies, Inc. "He is one of the best crew chiefs in the business and a great representative of Lowes, its fans and employees. Larrys decision to stay with the Lowes team will help it continue to build on the success it has already established."
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