Doug Hewitt*

Crew Chief

Born 8-10-49 in Silver Springs, N.Y. …. Wife Sharon, son Scott, daughter Kimberley… drove on NASCAR Modified circuit before retiring as a driver in 1985… won New York State Modified driving championship in 1981 and a dominant driver on that circuit for a decade… joined Stavola Brothers as a fabricator in 1986… Worked with Bobby Allison's 1988 Daytona 500-winning effort… crew chief for Team Ireland in early 1992 before joining Bahari' Racing Sept. 7, 1992.

Ron Puryear*

Chief Engine Builder

Born 8-20-41 in Wake county, N.C. … son Jonathan… Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis very familiar as he worked for A.J. Foyt at eight Indy 500s… was on the team for Foyt's unprecedented fourth Indy 500 victory in 1977… began racing career in 1967 with Holman & Moody… has worked with Foyt, Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, Benny Parsons, Bobby Unser, among others… was team general manager for Bobby Allison's 1988 Daytona 500 victory… joined the Pennzoil team as chief engine builder on April 13, 1992.

Dayne Pierantoni*

Team Manager/Engineer

Born 10-3-60 in Ephrata, Pa… wife Susan… lives in Charlotte… son Blake born in Daytona the night before the 1995 Daytona 500… graduate of DeVry Institute and Texas A&M… former professional motorcycle racer… came to Bahari' from Tandem Computers in April 1994, where he was a senior systems analyst… manages Bahari' office, while utilizing computer and engineering background in engineering and data acquisition for the Pennzoil Pontiac… works pit computer during races clocking lap times and calculating fuel mileage… enjoys water skiing and snow skiing.

William Barber

Parts Department

Born 9-22-21 in Hartford, Conn… lives in Cornelius… single… began at Bahari' in January 1996… enjoys SCUBA diving, weight lifting, and hiking.

William (Cale) Bass*

Engine Mechanic/Tire Carrier

Born 11-11-69 in Atlanta… lives in Concord, N.C. … single… works as an engine room mechanic… carries tires during pit stops on race day… previously worked at Rahmoc and Hendrick Motorsports… avid fan of Clemson football… lifts weights… former member of Air National Guard and crew chief for the C-130… tire carrier on race day… named for racing legend Cale Yarborough whose fan club was run by his father… broke shoulder "showing off" on a dirt bike during lunch break behind Bahari'' race shop.

Robert Boykin

Engine Room

Born 12-25-49 in Raleigh, N.C. … lives in Ronda, N.C. … wife Bonnie and daughter Ronda… Joined Bahari' in December 1996… duties include disassembling and inspecting engines… worked as a cylinder head specialist at Junior Johnson & Associates 1982-1995… enjoys camping, water sports, and watching daughter play basketball and softball.

Carl Campbell

Gear/Transmission Specialist/Tire Carrier

Born 1-9-52 in Lancaster, Pa. …wife Jan, children Laurie and Wesley… raced motorcross and dirt bikes in Pennsylvania for 20 years… gave up motorcross/dirt bikes because the NASCAR opportunity was "too good to pass up"… this is the first NASCAR job… previously worked at a Volvo/White truck dealership in Pennsylvania.

Chris Daniel

Show Car Driver

Born 8-1-55 in Rutherford, N.C. … now lives in Forest City… wife Nancy and daughter Candell, 18… started at Bahari' in January 1997… has worked for several teams as a showcar driver… attended two race driving schools… enjoys watching sporting events, golf, and karate… collects all kinds of racing souvenirs

Ron Drake

Shop Foreman

Born 2-21-54 in Redding, Calif. … wife Susan, son Matthew, daughter Amanda… former crew chief on NASCAR Southwest and Winston West tours with Mike Chase and Herschel McGriff… shop Foreman at TriStar Motorsports 1991-1993… works with Doug Hewitt in managing day-to-day Bahari' operation… of his race-day duties: "I'm a couch potato."

Darren Fulk

Engine Room

Born 4-18-62 in Virginia… lives now in Kannapolis, N.C. … wife Carol… works on cyclinder head preparation at Bahari'… began drag racing his 1979 Mustang from 1987 to 1993… drove a mini-modified dirt oval Pontiac Subbird in 1994 at several races… worked for Dick Brooks Racing as a cylinder head specialist during 1995 Winston Cup season… used to work as a pre-press technician for a printing company… only three credits shy of obtaining an associated degree in business at a community college in Virginia… enjoys hunting, golfing, and fishing.

Stephon Gleason

Mechanic

Born 2-13-63 in Waterbury, Conn. … lives in Huntersville, N.C. …single… started at Bahari' in January 1997… responsible for rear suspension… worked for several teams since 1980… enjoys snowmobiling, go-carting and arm wrestling… fell in love with racing as a child… worked as a production manager at a computer company.

Dean Goodnight

Maintenance

Born 4-15-56… lives in Mooresville… son Todd, 17… began working at Bahari' in 1993.

Jack Hango

Fabricator

Born 7-11-51 in Perth Amboy N.J. … lives in Moravian Falls, N.C. … single… started at Bahari in March 1996… raced a sportsman car at local dirt track in the New Jersey-Pennsylvania area in the 1970's… likes to hunt, fish and work on stained glass.

Mark Hayes

Show Car Driver

Born 4-25-62 in Yadkinville, N.C. … represents Pennzoil and Bahari' at dozens of appearances throughout the year… has also worked as dispatcher for fire, EMS and police in Yadkin County, N.C. … was DJ for four years… works pit support on race days… began racing career at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston Salem, N.C. … enjoy woodcrafts and Jaycees.

Jerry Horton

Assistant engine Builder

Born 8-17-54 in Statesville, N.C. … children Crystal and Michael… been with Bahari' for seven years… drove a late-model stock car… huge Atlanta Braves fan… coaches youth league baseball.

Steve Hlinak

Assistant Fabricator/Body Shop

Born 5-18-69 in Wisconsin… joined Bahari' in May 1995… wife Michelle… daughter Ashley… also works on the bodies and paints the Pennzoil Pontiac… worked with fellow crew member Tom Hubert during Hubert's endeavors as a driver on the southwest Tour… also worked on a hazardous waste spill response team and in aircraft propeller repair… enjoys water skiing on Lake Norman.

Tom Hubert

Fabricator/Tire Changer

Born 8-6-64 in Oakland, Calif. … wife Chellie… joined Bahari' July '94… four-time mini World of Outlaws go-cart champion… street stock champion '83 & Rookie of the Year '81… sportsman Champion '87 & Rookie of the Year '84… Soutwest Tour Sears Point pole winner '91… previously crew chief in '92 &'93 for Bill Schmidtt Racing in Redding, CA… followed dad's footsteps in racing by starting in go-carts in '79 at age 15… loves all sports.

Vic Hurdle

Cylinder Heads Specialist

Born 10-31-60 in Memphis… wife Angela, children Damien, 8, Johnny, 10, Heather, 7, and Amber, 5… spent four years in the Air Force as a mechanic… joined Bahari' in 1992… works in research and development at Bahari' and on the production of cylinder heads and intake manifolds… worked 3 years at Pro-Motor Engineering in Mooresville concentrating on all types of racing engines… worked six years with Racing Head Service in Memphis, building cylinder heads… enjoys being a husband and father, plus snow and water skiing.

Eric Kearns

Parts Manager

Born 6-27-70 in Spring field, Mass… lives in Mooresville… single… joined Bahar' in September 1996… duties include purchasing and inventory control… raced carts in World Carting Association for eight years in New England where he earned six carting championships and four driver of the year awards… raced pro-stocks for four years in New England… plans to race a late model stock car in 1997… enjoys racing and working out.

Steve Long*

Machinist

Born 2-19-56 in Lebanon, Mo. … wife Carla, daughter Karissa, 15,… joined Bahari' inNovember 1993…fills in on race day wherever needed… worked with Morgan Shepherd, Alan Kulwicki and King Racing, among others… sold interest in engine shop and moved south in 1987 after answering an ad in racing newspaper… worked as a service station attendant, service manager, managed a parts store and a machinist… hobby are hiking, playing with computer, working around the house, and restoring "muscle cars"… large fan of all racing.

Bill Macleod

Engine Builder

Born 9-15-55 in London, Ontario Canada… lives in Stanfield, N.C. … joined Bahari' Racing in February 1995… worked six years in Rahmoc Racing's engine room… worked 11 years at an automotive machine shop in Miami… spends time working on his house… enjoys old movies and books… has lived in four different countries.

Mike Myers

Truck Driver

Born 5-31-59… lives in Salisbury, N.C. … joined Bhari' in January 1996…wife Kathey… son Brandon… former jackman and truck driver for Roy Payne Racing… drove truck and worked s a spotter for Akins/Sutton Motorsports - truck… enjoys golf, basketball, skiing, church and spending time with family… huge North Carolina Tar Heels fan.

Scott Nicholls

Mechanic

Born 2-4-68 in California… lives in Mooresvill, N.C. … single works on car bodies, painting and as a mechanic… waxes and prepares car before races… started drag racing at age 15 helping father at tracks throughout Oregon and California… enjoys riding dirt bikes, working out, and water skiing… worked as an aviation mechanic before starting at Bahari' in October 1996.

Jerry Pitts*

Mechanic

Born 9-3-62 in Bakersfield Calif. … now lives in Mooresville, N.C. …joined Bahari' Racing in January 1995… wife Jeannie… son Brian… holds gas catch-can on race day… raced late model cars in California for eight years… served as crew chief on JMC Enterprises race team on the Southwest Tour in 1994… worked weekends as crew chief for the L&M Super Trucks team in 1995… once worked as a hydraulic mechanic.

John Plyler

Engineer

Born in Charlotte… single… joined Bahari' Racing in November 1996 performing suspension, shock and data analysis… served in the same capacity at Bobby Allison Motorsports in 1996… started working for race teams while an engineering student… enjoys flying and golf.

Gary Putnam

Tire Specialist

Born 2-10-70 in Hartford, Conn. … lives in Huntersville, N.C. … single… joined Bahari in November 1996… duties include suspension and oil line assembly… tire specialist on race day… he worked for Larry Hedrick Motorsports, CCP Racing, and several other teams on the NASCAR modified tour…"grew up around racing"… avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and Harford Whalers… also enjoys golf… helped Charlie Pasteryak gain only win on the NASCAR modified tour.

Ginger Rider

Team Secretary

Born 7-21-67 in Charlotte… single… lives in Cornelius… joined Bahari' full-time in 1991… daughter of Bahari' owner Chuck Rider… graduate of UNC-Charlotte… avid fan of Duke basketball… handles administrative support for team… owns a Shitzu named Truffles.

Rick Roberts

Mechanic

Born 1-2-73… born in Riverdale, Md. … lives in Corelius, N.C. … single… helps with drawings of CAD system… employed by Joe Gibbs Racing from December 1995 to Sept 1996… worked a lot on late model stock cars… enjoys movies, spending time with fiance… worked for the National Weather Service from 1990 to 1995 where he helped engineers design weather equipment with drawings on the autocad… has worked on designs for an impact absorbing barrier for race track walls that he hopes to convince track owners to use some day.

Danny Robinson

Fabricator

Born 8-12-59 in concord, N.C. … wife Vanessa, children Cassie and Leslie… worked with Rahmoc Racing before coming to Bahari' in 1992… works on Harley-Davidsons and dirt track cars off-time… raced dirt track cars and midgets.

Keith Russel

Engine Research and Development

Born 1-30-43 in Charlotte… wife Gerrie, daughter Denise… long career as engine builder includes stints with DiGard, Holman-Moody, Ranier, Stavola Brothers and Cale yarborough Motorsports… began career as dirt-track driver at age 16.

Nicki Taylor*

Scorer

She and husband Bill travel to each race in a motorhome… both work as representatives for Simpson Race Products company… Nicki and Bill were named winners of prestigious Buddy Shuman award in 1994 for service to the sport… Nicki also handles the Qualifying scoreboard in the garage area each week… a pioneer for female racers, she drove from 1953 through 1970s, holding unofficial world speed record for a woman on a straight-away … rove the Baja 1,000.

Ray Theiss

Engine Room

Born 10-3-54 in Long Island, N.Y… lives in Kannapolis, N.C. … wife Lorrie… daughter Melissa, 20, and sons David, 17, Nicholas, 17, Raymond, 17, and Vincent, 7… joined Bahari' in November 1996… worked as a fabricator on Jeff Gordon's car… owned and operated speed shop in New York… drove late models throughout New York… served as crew chief for Gary Laton when he won the sportsman race at Charlotte… inherited love of motorsports from father.

Jim Thomasson*

Team Pilot

Born 1-2-38… United States air force Academy graduate… wife Carolyn… four grown daughters… nine grandchildren… flew a B-52 in the Air force from 1962 to 1967… has flown planes for Robert Yates Racing, Cale yarborough and Team III after flying charter planes to races… avid runner… has competed in several 10k races… worked as a home builder in Charlotte from 1967 to 1994.

Bill Tucker*

Gas Man

Born 7-15-48 in Albemarle, N.C. … wife Kellie, children Damien, Brooke, Cole, Adam… full-time attorney in Albemarle as a partner in tucker, Slaughter & Singletary… member of Bahari' weekend crew… graduate of Western Carolina University and Wake Forest School of Law worked on Sabco, Kulwicki and US Racing teams before coming Bahair' in 1992

Troy Wheeler*

Pit Support/Gas Man

Born 12-2-40 in Johnston county, N.C. … wife Maxine, daughter Pam… has owned and operated Troy Wheeler Honda car Repair Service in Garner, N.C. for 16 years… started with J.D. McDuffie in 1979 as general mechanic and crew man… raced motorcycles in AMA Sportsman Class from 1965 to 1975… in 1969 and 1970 won the 175 and Open National championship.