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Dale Earnhardt's crew chief, Steve Letarte, will be switching to broadcasting in 2015.
The 34-year old had worked in racing for Hendrick Motorsports for 18-years.
And although the duo has not produced a championship in three previous years nor a win since their only win, in June 2012, their team seems to be steadily improving. Earnhardt was fifth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings last year.
Letarte was four-time NASCAR champ, Jeff Gordon's crew chief from 2005-2010 where they collaborated for ten victories. And Letarte was with Gordon as a crew member for all four titles.
Earnhardt was disappointed at the loss of the opportunity work with a crew chief who became a friend.
“It was hard because we are such good friends, and I really do enjoy working with him a lot. But at the same time I'm happy for him because it gives him the opportunity to spend time with his family,” said Earnhardt.
He added” I'm not worried about this season and how focused we may be. I know that he's really good at separating things and keeping things compartmentalized, as Jeff Gordon likes to say about Steve.”
And for his part Letarte said he'd miss his driver after they part ways.
“To do what we've tried to do the last three years and hopefully will do this year and win a bunch of races and contend for a championship is more than just coming to work and saying hello. We spend a lot of time away from the track together. Not just time, we're very involved in each other's lives, and I hope for that to continue past the end of 2014,” said Letarte.
“I want to thank Rick Hendrick and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports for the opportunities they have given me over the last 18 years, and I want to reaffirm my commitment to Dale Jr. and the entire 88 team to go win races and challenge for the championship in 2014,” said Letarte, who joined Hendrick Motorsports in 1995 at age 16.
The 34-year old had worked in racing for Hendrick Motorsports for 18-years.
And although the duo has not produced a championship in three previous years nor a win since their only win, in June 2012, their team seems to be steadily improving. Earnhardt was fifth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings last year.
Letarte was four-time NASCAR champ, Jeff Gordon's crew chief from 2005-2010 where they collaborated for ten victories. And Letarte was with Gordon as a crew member for all four titles.
Earnhardt was disappointed at the loss of the opportunity work with a crew chief who became a friend.
“It was hard because we are such good friends, and I really do enjoy working with him a lot. But at the same time I'm happy for him because it gives him the opportunity to spend time with his family,” said Earnhardt.
He added” I'm not worried about this season and how focused we may be. I know that he's really good at separating things and keeping things compartmentalized, as Jeff Gordon likes to say about Steve.”
And for his part Letarte said he'd miss his driver after they part ways.
“To do what we've tried to do the last three years and hopefully will do this year and win a bunch of races and contend for a championship is more than just coming to work and saying hello. We spend a lot of time away from the track together. Not just time, we're very involved in each other's lives, and I hope for that to continue past the end of 2014,” said Letarte.
“I want to thank Rick Hendrick and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports for the opportunities they have given me over the last 18 years, and I want to reaffirm my commitment to Dale Jr. and the entire 88 team to go win races and challenge for the championship in 2014,” said Letarte, who joined Hendrick Motorsports in 1995 at age 16.