THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 21, 1996 TAG: 9609210539
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: NASCAR NOTES
SOURCE: BY BOB ZELLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MARTINSVILLE LENGTH: 51 lines
Ricky Rudd has been his usual consistent self this season in the Winston Cup series and is currently sixth in points.
But he has led only 53 laps and has not been in contention in many races. And that deficiency has prompted Rudd to change crew chiefs for the 1997 season.
Rudd has dismissed veteran Richard Broome and has hired Jim Long to fill the position. Long currently is Lake Speed's crew chief.
``It was just kind of a mutual agreement,'' Rudd said. ``It was a good parting of ways. Richard and I are still friends. He's going to work for us the rest of the year. But we've been trying everything, building a lot of cars, spending a lot of money, and we still can't seem to get the cars the way we want them.
``Our working relationship is fine, but the chemistry between us has never quite clicked to the level of performance you need to win and challenge for a points title on a consistent basis.''
This is Long's first year as a crew chief, but he's worked under veterans such as Barry Dodson, Gary Nelson and Robin Pemberton.
Rudd said his only question about Long was his leadership ability, ``but I stood back and watched him this year and he's done a great job getting Lake's team organized. They haven't got a lot of good finishes, but they've been competitive on the racetrack.''
Long will join the team after the season finale in Atlanta on Nov. 10.
PRESSLEY GETS A RIDE: Another piece of the puzzle for 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup lineup fell into place Friday with car owner Gary Bechtel's announcement that Robert Pressley will drive his No. 29 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Pressley said he took the ride because Bechtel and crew chief Bill Ingle ``were concerned about the whole package instead of one person to make the whole thing work. I think this is a big move.''
Pressley made a name for himself in the Grand National series but has struggled in Winston Cup.
``We've had a few deals going on this year that weren't real good,'' he said. ``I think it took away from our performance.''
Ingle outlined the team's goals for 1997: ``If we can keep running in the top 15 every week on a consistent basis and qualify in the first round every time - that's a big thing. And we'd like to end the season next year being in the top 15 in points and have a pole.''
Said Pressley: ``What we want to do is be around during those last 100 laps next year.''
The team will continue to be sponsored by The Cartoon Network.
``My kids are tickled to death,'' said Pressley, who has a 7-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl. by CNB