Beam back as Craven's crew chief at PPI

HICKORY, N.C. -- Cal Wells has reinstated crew chief duties to competition director Mike Beam for the No. 32 Tide Racing team.

Beam returned to PPI Motorsports as competition director at the end of 2003 after a one-year absence fom the team, while Dave Charpentier was hired as crew chief.

"Mike Beam has been operating as the crew chief on the Tide team for some time now," said owner, Cal Wells.

"Despite the fact that we announced last week that Ricky Craven will be parting ways with PPI Motorsports at the end of the season, I am committed to making sure the team has all the right elements in place to perform to their potential for the rest of the 2004 season.

"Mike and Ricky have a successful history together which is why I decided to make the change. Chemistry between driver and crew chief is essential at the competition level of Nextel Cup racing and I need to make sure I'm providing the best combination to make our Tide team run up front. I need to make sure Ricky has what he needs in making decisions about the car and calling the races."

While with PPI Motorsports during the 2001 and 2002 season, Beam and Craven scored one win at Martinsville in the spring of 2001, and three pole positions at Michigan, Rockingham and Darlington.