Travis Kvapil begins his first year driving for PPI Motorsports. Credit: Autostock

Veteran crew chief joins Kvapil, PPI Motorsports

Putnam named as competition director for No. 32 Chevrolet team

HICKORY, N.C. -- PPI Motorsports on Monday announced that Gary Putnam has been named competition director for the team that fields the No. 32 Chevrolet in the Nextel Cup Series for driver Travis Kvapil, effective immediately.

Putnam, 35, a Connecticut native and a 10-year veteran in the Cup Series rejoins his former crew chief James Ince, with whom Putnam worked side-by-side during the 2000-2002 Cup seasons.

"I am very pleased to have Gary Putnam join my organization," said Cal Wells III, owner of PPI Motorsports. "He will be an invaluable asset to me as well as our crew chief. He adds a tremendous amount of depth to the Tide Racing program and will help us grow as we move forward into a multi-car team."

"Any time you can bring back a quality crew chief that can do other things only strengthens your race team," Ince said. "He was my car chief at MBV Motorsports and went on to do great things as a crew chief.

"I feel fortunate he was open to the idea of joining forces again. I consider him my equal [and] he's almost like having my alter-ego around."

Putnam was at Monday's Preseason Thunder test session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Before joining PPIM, Putnam served as crew chief at NEMCO Motorsports (2004-2005) and Petty Enterprises (2002-2004). Putnam got his start in racing working for Charlie and Carl Pasteryak on the Whelen Modified Tour.