Haas CNC is hoping Jeff Green will feel more comfortable in the seat with Harold Holly calling the shots. Credit: Autostock

Haas Racing flipping Cup, Busch crew chiefs

Green to reunite with Holly; Barker to work with Johnny Sauter

HARRISBURG, N.C. -- Haas CNC Racing on Monday announced changes in crew chief roles for the No. 66 Chevrolet driven by Jeff Green in the Nextel Cup Series and the No. 00 driven by Johnny Sauter in the Busch Series.

Harold Holly was the crew chief on Jeff Green's 2000 Busch Series title team. Credit: Autostock

Harold Holly, who previously served as crew chief for Sauter, takes over duties as crew chief for Green effective immediately. Robert "Bootie" Barker, who previously served as crew chief for Green, in turn takes over crew chief duties for Sauter.

"Haas CNC Racing is grounded in technology, but we realize our most valuable resource is our people," said Joe Custer, general manager of Haas CNC Racing. "In looking at our situation, we have a driver and a crew chief in Jeff and Harold who have won a championship together and we feel there are opportunities to capitalize based on their history.

"In like, Bootie has had tremendous success with young drivers and we feel he'll be a valuable resource for Johnny and our Busch Series team during the stretch run."

Green currently sits 29th in the Nextel Cup Series point standings while Sauter stands poised to capture his first career top-20 points finish in the Busch Series. He ranks ninth with just four races remaining in the season.

"Our goal is to have a multi-car Nextel Cup Series effort and we feel that by instituting these changes we'll improve our program for the future," Custer continued. "Both series are more competitive than ever and you have to continue to evolve if you want to contend for championships. We're very excited about what lies ahead for Haas CNC Racing and look to both Bootie and Harold to carry our team into the future."

Barker, a native of Halifax, Va., served stints with Bill Davis Racing, Hendrick Motorsports and Jasper Motorsports prior to joining Haas CNC Racing in 2003. In 2004, Barker led the team to eight top-five and 17 top-10 finishes with driver Jason Leffler. Barker led the team to its first victory at Nashville Superspeedway in June of that year.

"Haas CNC Racing has grown substantially since I came on board and this move is just another step toward improving our presence in both series," Barker said. "I look forward to working with Johnny and the team in carrying Haas CNC Racing to the next level."

Bootie Barker will try and keep Johnny Sauter in the top 10 in Busch points. Credit: Autostock

Holly, a veteran of the sport who hails from Pell City, Ala., won a Busch Series championship with Green in 2000. The duo still holds the record for most top-five finishes in a single season as well as winning the championship by the largest margin in series' history.

"Everything we do at Haas CNC Racing is a total team effort which means that both the Nextel Cup and Busch Series teams are already acclimated to working together," Holly said.

"We've had a lot of success this season and we feel like the changes we're making will only enhance the situation for everyone involved. Jeff and I have a great history together and we're confident that together we'll bring further success to the Haas organization."

Barker will take advantage of the Busch Series' week off to align himself with his team's effort while Holly will head up the Nextel Cup Series test at Homestead-Miami Speedway scheduled to begin Tuesday.

Haas CNC Racing came onto the NASCAR scene in 2002 and has fielded entries in NASCAR's Nextel Cup and Busch divisions. Plans for 2007 include a move to the team's new shop in Kannapolis, N.C., which boasts the latest in technological advances.

The company remains on schedule to complete its crown jewel -- a 180 mph rolling road wind tunnel which will be the only one of its kind in North America.