Team Release
September 14, 2005
12:29 PM EDT (16:29 GMT)

DOES ANYONE ELSE THINK THIS CAME ABOUT 26 RACES TOO LATE?


MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Dale Earnhardt Incorporated announced Wednesday
that Tony Eury Jr. will take over as crew chief for the No. 8
Chevrolet, starting this weekend at New Hampshire International
Speedway.

Eury Jr., who has been crew chief for DEI's No. 15 Chevrolet this
season, will be reunited with Dale Earnhardt Jr., who Eury Jr. worked
with for eight seasons prior. The two will be paired for the
remaining races of the season in preparation for 2006.

Inside the Numbers
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s career stats
Year W T-5 T-10 Avg.

2005 1 5 10 19.2
2004 6 16 21 12.1
2003 2 13 21 12.7
2002 2 11 16 17.1
2001 3 9 15 15.2
2000 2 3 5 20.9
1999 0 0 1 21.4
Totals 16 57 89 16.1

• 1999 -- Stats for five starts
• 2005 -- Stats through 26 races
ALSO
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s season of discontent is not the end of the road
for the No. 8 team. In fact, he makes a case that the rest of the
year will be a lot more than making laps toward vacation.
• Complete story, click here


"This is the best plan for us as a company," Eury Jr. said. "We
haven't been in the same pit box this year, but we've been working
closely as a team. Looking at where we want to be for 2006, it made
sense to switch now and get that much further ahead."

Last weekend at Richmond, Earnhardt all but said the move was
imminent.

"If me and Tony Jr. are going to work together next year, that'd be a
good idea to begin work [this season] on that relationship. With the
few races left, use it to work on [team chemistry]. ... It'd be good
to get on track with [Tony] if that's what we're going to do next
year."

With the 2005 chase contenders decided, Richie Gilmore, DEI's vice
president of motorsports, knew now was the best time for the
restructuring.

"After evaluating our programs for next season, we went back and
looked at all the resources at our disposal," Gilmore said. "By
putting Tony Jr. back with Dale Jr. now, it enables us to start
working toward our goals for next season.

"Those two can start finding their rhythm for next year, while Steve
Hmiel can return his full focus on the technical aspect of our
programs."

Hmiel, who has been the interim crew chief for the No. 8 team since
May, will return to his position as DEI's technical director.

Tony Gibson, car chief for the No. 15 team, will serve as the team's
crew chief for the remainder of this season.