NASCAR WCUP: Jay Smith to Handle Crew Chief Duties for Mike Skinner and Team Yellow Racing
4 December 1998
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Jay, a native of Marion, Virginia, brings over fourteen years of experience as a Crew Chief on the Winston Cup, Busch Grand National and Craftsman Truck Series level. Most recently he served as Crew Chief for Bobby Hillin and his Busch Series effort while prior to that was Crew Chief for Irvan-Simo Racing and driver Boris Said in the Craftsman Truck Series for three years. "What a great opportunity," stated Smith. "I have been fortunate to be associated with some great teams in the past but this is really unique. A new team, with all new equipment running a limited schedule, which gives me time to hone our focus even tighter on the events we have selected. On top of all of this I have Mike Skinner as a driver, the backing of a great sponsor like Yellow and the full support of the team ownership to do what it takes to win, we have the formula here for a lot of success."
"We couldn't be happier to land a Crew Chief with his experience and potential," said Emerald Performance Group co-owner David Ridling. "A solid, knowledgeable, working Crew Chief is the cornerstone for any successful race team and we believe Jay will get the job done for us. His organizational skills and attention to detail have earned him a great deal of respect in the garage area, we're proud to have him as part of Team Yellow Racing."
Team Yellow Racing will be competing on a limited schedule of 20 races in 1999 with Mike Skinner handling the driving chores in 12 of these events. The team will utilize several other drivers in the remaining events as they look to find a full time driver for the teams' future. "I am looking forward to working with some of the young talent out there in our other 8 races," said Jay. "These are not throwaway races by any stretch of the imagination. We are looking for young drivers that can get in the car and stand up on the wheel and get the job done. They will have the equipment, the team and the opportunity to test for these events so we expect to be competitive."
Team Yellow Racing debuts at Rockingham on February 20th, 1999.
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