#9 Crew Cheif to Yates?

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N2racin44

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#9 Crew Chief to Yates? UPDATE: Mike Ford, #9-Bill Elliott's crew chief, may be leaving Elliott's team and moving to Robert Yates' team to work with Dale Jarrett and crew chief Shawn Parker, according to sources.(Winston Salem Journal), may have something to do with the past rumors of Tommy Baldwin Jr. going to the #9 team.(11-3-2003)
UPDATE: being told Mike Ford will be the new crew chief, replacing Shawn Parker, no word on Parker's plans.(11-18-2003)
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I dunno. Mike is good. Shawn was doing an okay job. If I was in his shoes I am not sure I could get back into that kind of role after losing my wife. Maybe he is stepping down to be with his baby. Hard to say.

This my friends is the 6th crew chief change since the end of the 2000 season.
 
They will never get back to championship form if they don't quit playing musical crew chiefs. :huh:
 
How does this affect Bill's plans? Would the crew chief be a big part of Bill's late season success?
 
Things have been going well for the #9 team. I'm surprised that Mike Ford would leave a good situation at Evernham for a so so situation at Yates! Maybe He knows that Bill is retiring or maybe Yates offered the big $$$$$$$!

Either way I guess Evernham will have to go back to the drawing board!
 
maybe mike ford feels that he can bring DJ back to winning races like he did bill IMO
 
It's Official?
That's Racin'

Mike Ford, who as crew chief helped return veteran Bill Elliott to victory lane after a seven-year absence, has been hired as the new crew chief for Dale Jarrett and his No. 88 Fords, ThatsRacin.com has learned.
A formal announcement regarding Ford's hiring at Robert Yates Racing could come as early as Thursday, but Ford has already made appearances at his new race shop, sources confirmed.

Ford's departure from Evernham Motorsports and its No. 9 Dodges is likely to open the door to the hiring of crew chief Tommy Baldwin.

Team officials confirmed Wednesday Baldwin no longer works for Ultra Motorsports, where he spent the 2003 season with driver Jimmy Spencer.

Where all this leaves Elliott and his possible retirement remains unclear.

Elliott and team owner Ray Evernham were expected to meet Tuesday, but bad weather prevented Elliott's arrival in the Charlotte area.

NASCAR Busch Series driver Kasey Kahne, who has said he has talked with Evernham Motorsports about moving to Winston Cup, has yet to be released from his contract with Ford Motor Co. However, the team he drives for in the Busch Series, Akins Motorsports, announced earlier this week it was moving to Dodges next season.

Elliott has four wins - one in 2001, two last season and one this year - with Ford. In 2001, Elliott finished 15th in points. He was 13th last year and this season moved back into the Top 10 (ninth).

Jarrett struggled this season. He finished 26th in points, with one win, one top-five and seven top-10 finishes.

Shawn Parker, who has served as Jarrett's crew chief this season, has been offered another position at Yates, but has not decided whether he will remain with the organization
 
This makes it even more easier for me to believe that Bill will be driving in a limited schedule next year. With Kahne's Busch team switching to Dodge next year, that should make it easier for Kasey to move to Evernham's team. I don't think we'll hear anything more about Bill until things are worked out with Kahne if at all. Mike Ford is ready to move on and I'm sure he is thrilled about moving to a Yates team. I believe that both of those teams will be much better next year.
 
Sorry for not answering for a while. I've been sick and other things as well as long days at work. Buds are doing fine thanks.
 
RYR certainly needs positive stability. This might help. I wish the best for Parker. I hope he stay's with the organization too. He obviously had something to offer that organization prior to being CC.
 
I feel sorry for Parker with everything he has gone through this year. Hard to remain on your competitive edge when you have tragedy like that! I hope Yates finds a good position for him!
 
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