---

NASCAR WCUP: MB2 Motorsports Names Sammy Johns As Crew Chief

19 November 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Mooresville, N.C.- MB2 Motorsports announced today Sammy Johns will become crew chief for the No. 36 "M&M's" Pontiac with driver Ken Schrader beginning with the 2000 season. Johns and Schrader currently work together on the No. 33 Winston Cup entry.

"MB2 Motorsports will be one step ahead of the game with Sammy and Kenny coming on board together," said Nelson Bowers, co-owner of MB2 Motorsports. "They obviously work really well together and their record this season is proof of that. Sammy is a talented crew chief. He and Schrader already have a solid working relationship and that is vital to have success in this sport. Both Kenny and Sammy are great additions to MB2."

1999 was the first season together for Schrader and Johns and the combination found success with ease. At the season opening Daytona 500, Schrader qualified seventh and finished sixth with Johns making the calls from the pits. To date, Schrader and Johns have combined for six top-10 finishes, one pole position and have qualified in the top 10 in 17 of 33 races.

"This was my first year working with Kenny, but we seem to really communicate well about setups and what changes will improve the car during the race," said Johns. "Schrader is one of the best all-around drivers in the Winston Cup garage and I wouldn't be surprised to see us win a few pole positions and some races. MB2 Motorsports is a great team and I'm excited about my opportunity with them."

MB2 Motorsports, owned by Read Morton, Nelson Bowers and Tom Beard, was formed in 1996 and entered the Winston Cup arena full-time in 1997. The team's primary sponsor is "M&M's" Chocolate Candies with associate sponsorship from Call-N-Carry.

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.