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NASCAR WCUP: EEL River Racing, Dodson, Partner for long term

19 July 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

MOORESVILLE, N.C.-- In the midst of "Silly Season," Eel River Racing is focused on the future. Team owners Jack Birmingham and Barry Dodson announced Dodson has entered into a long-term agreement and Dodson will be the team's crew chief through 2005.

"This bodes well for the long-term future of Eel River Racing and is a vote of confidence for the team and it's future successes," said Birmingham.

Throughout his Winston Cup career, Dodson has been a team member of three championship teams, more than 100 victories and countless poles. Coupled with 19 Winston Cup victories and one Winston Cup Championship to his credit as a crew chief, Dodson was eager to continue his relationship in NASCAR's premier series with Eel River Racing and their quest for a championship season.

"This team is the reason I came back to Winston Cup" Dodson said. "I like the fact that the Birminghams are serious about the business of Winston Cup Racing and don't micro-manage. They have dedicated the resources and allowed me to put this team together. And this is one of the best bunch of guys I have worked with. I'm tired of putting programs together, and Jack has given me an opportunity to be part owner of this team. I look forward to the challenge."

"I felt it was important to strengthen Barry's part-ownership in Eel River Racing," Birmingham said. "Barry virtually put this team together on his own, handpicking who he has hired. Through his efforts the team continues to improve week by week and will continue improving. We have moved up in the points, and have been completing races along with having good test sessions. Barry is a great leader, and we couldn't imagine having any other person in his role.

"Barry knows all facets of this business, and we know he will help us in acquiring are sponsorship for 2001 and beyond. Since we formed Eel River Racing, we have only been interested in forming a championship-caliber Winston Cup team. We are committed to giving Barry all he needs to accomplish that."

Current sponsorship will end after the 2000 season making strong performances that much more important.

"The Brickyard 400 couldn't have come at a better time for us," Dodson said of returning to the sight of the team's first ever race together. "Coming off a good test session at Indy last week, we're anxious to return. We've made a great amount of progress over the past few months, and we're excited about the future."

Nearly one year ago Dodson returned to the Winston Cup circuit after taking four years off to spend his time dealing with the tragic loss of his two children. Dodson's 17-year-old son, Trey, and 16-year-old daughter, Tia, were killed in a wreck in Darlington, S.C. After taking some time to cope with his loss, Dodson gradually worked his way back into racing. He worked in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for three seasons.

During his hiatus from the Winston Cup Series, Dodson was touted as one of the most successful crew chiefs the Craftsman Truck Series. If the old clich "running up front is the best medicine", Dodson had plenty of that. Not only did his trucks capture eleven poles, he won the very first truck race he entered. Upon his departure, he was the only crew chief to have won a race each year since the creation of that series.

Eel River Racing is focused on the second half of the season, setting out to make good things happen. In the hunt for a corporate sponsor, Dodson is keenly aware of what they need to do. And determined to make it happen.

Text provided by Rick Carpenter

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