Bobby Labonte gets new crew chief to replace Paul Andrews
Quote selected text Published August 14th, 2007 in NASCAR News
Petty Enterprises announces veteran Doug Randolph as crew chief for the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge driven by 2000 NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion Bobby Labonte. Randolph, who takes over the crew chief duties from Paul Andrews, will be on top of the pit box for this weekend’s 3M Performance 400 at the two-mile Michigan International Speedway.
“Doug Randolph brings an outstanding resume to Petty Enterprises,” said Vice President of Race Operations Robbie Loomis. “He was a winner in the Busch Series and he brings a wealth of knowledge to this team. Bobby (Labonte) and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team need to take the next step. Doug is the leader that we feel can do that for us.”
“Paul Andrews is a championship crew chief that did some great things during his time at Petty Enterprises,” continued Loomis. “He is a man of high character that built a solid team around Bobby Labonte. We wish Paul all the best. We’re still very involved with Tim Andrews as a development driver for Petty Enterprises and will continue that relationship.”
Petty Enterprises has plans of entering Tim Andrews in the ARCA Series event at the Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway this October.
Randolph, 41, brings over 20 years of NASCAR experience to Petty Enterprises. He most recently directed the NASCAR Busch Series efforts of Reagan Smith.
“Looking at other options I felt working with everyone at Petty Enterprises was right for me,” said Randolph. “Bobby is a championship driver and the organization is very determined to get back to victory lane.”
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Paul Andrews is a class act and I wish him well. He was Rusty’s ASA crew chief when he won that title in the mid 1980’s and Kulwicki’s crew chief for the 1992 Cup title. He helped a young Steve Park at DEI. He did what he could for the Petty’s. There are not enough guys like him left in this sport.
what is andrews doing now? retiring? going to another team?
Hopefully this guy will stick around long enough to build a good relationship with Bobby….I wanna see Bobby get that #43 into victory lane, but i guess a consistant top 5 performance would be just as good… gotta crawl before you can walk right??
I HOPE IT BRINGS BETTER LUCK TO BOBBY, HES BEEN HAVING BAD LUCK FOR A WHILE NOW
I must be old, I remember Paul Andrews being the crew chief for Alan Kulwicki’s championship team.
i thought Paul and Bobby had good chemistry. Last year they ended the season well and this year it looks like they’ll finish inside the top 20 in standings. On teh flipside I do think that this will bring a spark for the 43 team. I want to see the 43 car in victory lane by the end of this year.