Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Crew chief switch may help Busch

Friday, Nov. 30, 2001 | 10:47 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand's motor sports notebook appears Friday. Reach him at bh@lasvegassun.com or 259-4089.

Jimmy Fennig, the veteran crew chief who helped Mark Martin to 14 NASCAR Winston Cup victories since 1997, is changing jobs within Roush Racing and will serve as Kurt Busch's crew chief in 2002.

Ben Leslie, who was Busch's crew chief this season, will serve in the same capacity with Martin's team. The move could prove to be a much-needed shot in the arm for Busch, the Las Vegas native who struggled for much of the second half of this season in the No. 97 Sharpie/Rubbermaid Ford.

"Having the leadership and experience of Jimmy Fennig will definitely help our team and be a step in the right direction," Busch said. "I think that it's going to make a real impact in terms of a plan and guidance with a rookie such as myself.

"Jimmy has delivered some great results in the past and it's going to be an honor to work with a crew chief of his stature. I look forward to the opportunity of learning from his knowledge and experience."

Fennig broke into the Winston Cup Series in 1986 as Martin's crew chief for a five-race stint with team owner Jerry Gunderman. Fennig was Bobby Allison's crew chief in 1987 and 1988 and help guide Allison to two Winston Cup wins.

Before teaming again with Martin in 1997, Fennig worked with a series of drivers that included Dick Trickle, Hut Stricklin, Jimmy Spencer and Derrick Cope.

Fennig, 48, said he was looking forward to working with the 23-year-old Busch next season.

" I'm excited about the new opportunity with Kurt," Fennig said. "Mark and I spent many years working together and winning races, so I'm hopeful that I can add the experience to the No. 97 team that will help get Kurt to many victories.

"I'm looking forward to moving into a new role within Roush Racing and hopefully getting Kurt his first Winston Cup win."

Martin, who suffered through a winless season in 2001 for only the second time since joining team owner Jack Roush in 1988, said he felt the change would be a positive one for his team.

"Jimmy Fennig and (car chief) Shawn Parker have done a great job for me," Martin said. "I'm sure that their experience will be a great asset for Kurt and the No. 97 program, while I will benefit from the chemistry change introduced by Ben Leslie."

Parker also will move to Busch's team and Roush said Leslie would hire a car chief for Martin's team.

Mobil1, which sponsored the No. 12 car this season for Jeremy Mayfield and Mike Wallace, will serve as an associate sponsor for both Rusty Wallace and Newman.

The Melling family has fielded a car in the Daytona 500 for the past 20 years. Melling said that streak could be in jeopardy if he doesn't land a primary sponsor for the car "very soon." Compton sat on the outside pole and finished 10th in the Daytona 500, captured the pole for both Talladega races and posted five top-15 finishes in the car this season.

Earnhardt is the oldest son of the late Dale Earnhardt.

Ward turned 121 laps in Cheever's Dallara/Infiniti and posted a top speed of 219.78 mph. Rice ran 22 laps and had a top speed of 219.85 mph.

"It is going to be very difficult to choose a second driver," Cheever said. "Both Jeff and Buddy did a great job this week. Buddy did remarkably well under difficult circumstances (Tuesday). Jeff did a great job, as well. It is great to see the improvements he has made since he won the Rookie of the Year at Indy for Team Cheever in 1997."

Tony Hunt won the Western Sprint Car championship by a 36-point margin over Jeff Gardner and Danny Ebberts captured the Worldcom Western Midget Car championship by 55 points over Josh Wise. Dave Darland already had clinched the Worldcom National Midget Car title.

The Sears Point Karting Center is expected to open in March and will be home to the Jim Russell Karting School.