Larry Carter’s Efforts And Team Leadership Wins Him Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Of The Race
Daytona Beach, Florida
Jul 09, 2007
Under the lights at Daytona International Speedway crew chief Larry Carter lead the No. 26 Roush / Fenway Racing team to victory, breaking their winless 2007 season drought in fine fashion. Through strong leadership and by keeping a calm head under pressure, Carter was also able to help his driver Jamie McMurray record his first victory in 166 races. The team faced a difficult task to come back after a pass through penalty dropped McMurray to the back of the field. However, through Carter’s guidance and McMurray’s skill, the No. 26 IRWIN Marathon Saw Blades Ford inched out ahead to take the checkered flag. Carter’s efforts and team leadership won him the WYPALL* Wipers Crew Chief of the Race.
After rain washed out qualifying for the Pepsi 400, the starting grid was set according to owner’s points, placing the No. 26 Roush / Fenway Racing team in the 15th position. It became obvious to Carter and his team that they were serious contenders as McMurray rocketed his way to the front by lap 31. Unfortunately, McMurray was penalized for passing while under the yellow line, forcing him to come to pit road for his pass-through penalty dropping him to the back of the pack. Carter, knowing that their day was not done, kept his team calm, and plotted a path back to the leaders. A two-tire pit stop mid race gained valuable track position and by lap 123 the team was once again in the top five. In a final dive for the line, McMurray edged his bumper to the front to take a hard-fought and deserving victory.
“The drive through penalty really put us back, ” said Carter at the end of the race. “We had a good car and Jamie just needed to be patient. It worked out. This is a big win for this young team. It was all Jamie in the end. ”
A panel of voters, including a member of the local media, Kenny Francis, Robbie Reiser, Tony Eury Jr. and a WYPALL* Wipers representative all agreed Carter’s performance was deserving for him to be awarded the crew chief of the race. “Those guys were really moving in the early stages so I know that pass-through [penalty] would have been devastating, ” said Francis on the No. 26 team. “They disappeared for a while and suddenly were back fighting for the lead. Close finishes like that are always fun to watch. Great job by Larry [Carter] to bring his team back. ”
As the WYPALL* Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Carter received $1,000. Earning his second crew chief of the race award puts Carter tied for first place in the overall standings. Larry Carter, Mike Ford, Donnie Wingo, Robbie Reiser and Chad Knaus are tied for first, each with two wins. Tony Gibson, Steve Letarte, Mike Nelson, Darian Grubb, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin, Ryan Pemberton and Tony Eury Jr. each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned WYPALL* Wipers Crew Chief of the Year.
