Chad Knaus, left, and Jimmie Johnson enter the Chase fourth in points. Credit: Autostock

Loomis to join No. 48 as consultant during Chase

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Robbie Loomis will join Chad Knaus atop the No. 48 pit box as a team consultant beginning this weekend in Loudon, N.H., sources close to Hendrick Motorsports said Wednesday.

Steve Letarte, who had served under Loomis as car chief for Jeff Gordon's crew, will assume the crew chief's role on the No. 24 Chevrolet. Letarte, 26, has been with the No. 24 team full-time since 1996, winning three Cup titles under the tutelage of crew chiefs Ray Evernham, Brian Whitesell and Loomis. He has worked as a tire specialist, mechanic and car chief.

	Robbie Loomis Credit: Autostock
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Loomis said last weekend at Richmond that his priorities had changed, and now that Jeff Gordon officially has been eliminated from the Chase for the Nextel Cup, Hendrick Motorsports officials want to ensure Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48 team are using every resource at their disposal, while simultaneously preparing Gordon for 2006.

Loomis will leave Hendrick Motorsports following the season to rejoin Petty Enterprises, the organization announced.

"We are excited that Robbie will be rejoining Petty Enterprises," Kyle Petty said. "Robbie won races as a crew chief here, and then won a lot of races and a championship with Jeff Gordon and Hendrick Motorsports.

"We have great respect for the entire Hendrick organization, and know that Robbie's experience with the Hendrick team has prepared him well for the role he will take on at Petty Enterprises.

"Robbie Loomis will direct our entire race operation," Petty said, "and we expect his experience and his ability to mold a team to help us get to the next level. Robbie has been a part of our family for a long time, and we're happy to have him come home."

Looking ahead to the Chase, Loomis said he was focused on doing all he can to help the No. 48 team.

"We still have a job to do," said Loomis, who won a Cup title with Gordon in 2001 after coming to Hendrick from Petty Enterprises in 2000. "Our goal is winning that championship with Jimmie, Chad and the No. 48 team. I'm here to support them in any way I possibly can.

"Hendrick Motorsports opened my eyes to a whole different level of this industry. The experience has allowed me to see things from a new perspective and learn important lessons about business and life. I'm truly grateful to Rick, Jeff and the 500 people who make Hendrick Motorsports so special.

"I was with the Petty family for 11 years before being blessed to work with Jeff and the No. 24 team," Loomis said. "Kyle and Richard are giving me an incredible opportunity to come home, back where I started my career, and I'm honored and excited to do that."