Slugger Labbe and Jeremy Mayfield. Credit: Autostock

Labbe out as crew chief of No. 19 Dodge

Richard "Slugger" Labbe, who helped lead Jeremy Mayfield to his second straight Chase appearance, has been released by Evernham Motorsports.

Team owner Ray Evernham said in a statement that "we wish [Labbe] well as he pursues other opportunities," so it's clear that Labbe is pursuing another job.

Kenny Francis, who served as Mayfield's crew chief before being promoted to a team manager role, will be Mayfield's crew chief this weekend at Atlanta. Car chief Mike Shiplett will assist him.

"We are already planning for next year, and we recognize that we need to make several changes to regain the momentum this team had earlier in the year," said Evernham.

Labbe moved to the Evernham organization from DEI after the 2004 season. It is not known where Labbe is headed, but it is a possibility he could end up at Robert Yates Racing, where Labbe worked in the late 1990s.