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Gillett Evernham Motorsports Makes Engineering and Competition Announcements

Jan 17, 2008

STATESVILLE, N.C. – Gillett Evernham Motorsports made several personnel announcements involving its engineering and competition departments today as it prepares for the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide seasons with drivers Kasey Kahne, Patrick Carpentier, Elliott Sadler and Chase Miller.

Mark McArdle, vice president and managing director of competition, said the announcements reflect the team’s philosophy.

“We are committed to winning races and competing for championships,” said McArdle. “Our dynamic approach will be to strengthen our foundation in engineering and manufacturing. The realignment of team directors, promotion of Tommy Wheeler and other changes we will be making is an example of how we are going to maximize operating efficiency in every aspect of our competition effort to ensure we are a threat to win every weekend.”

Today’s announcement included:

Tommy Wheeler, who joined the organization in 2001 and served as technical director of Gillett Evernham Engines since 2006, has been promoted to engineering services director.

Rodney Childers, formerly the team director of the No. 10 Valvoline Dodge, has been moved to team director of the No. 19 Best Buy Dodge.

Mike Shiplett, formerly the team director of the No. 9 Dodge in the Nationwide Series has been promoted to team director of the No. 10 Valvoline Dodge.

Kirk Almquist, formerly the car director of the No. 19 Best Buy Dodge, has been promoted to team director of the No. 9 Dodge in the Nationwide Series.

Iain Watt, who joined the organization in 2007, has been promoted to director of performance engineering responsible for the team’s on-track performance.

Sam Johns was promoted to director of operations responsible for building and preparing all of the team’s Sprint Cup Dodges.

About Gillett Evernham Motorsports:

Gillett Evernham Motorsports is a leading team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Founded by Ray Evernham in 1999, the team is in its eighth season of competition at the highest level of NASCAR racing with drivers Kasey Kahne in the No. 9 Budweiser Dodge, Patrick Carpentier in the No. 10 Valvoline Dodge, and Elliott Sadler in the No. 19 Best Buy Dodge in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Gillett Evernham Motorsports also fields the No.9 Dodge in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, driven by the three NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers and Chase Miller.

-- Gillett Evernham Motorsports