NASCAR Blaney's crew chief to part ways with Jasper

Ryan Pemberton served as one of the youngest in the Winston Cup series.
MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Jasper Motorsports and Ryan Pemberton, crew chief of the Jasper Engines and Transmissions Ford since 1999, have mutually decided to part ways at the conclusion of the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season.
"I want to thank [owners] Doug Bawel, Mark Harrah, Mark Wallace, Robert Pressley, Dave Blaney and all of the team members of Jasper Motorsports for the opportunity and the support they've given me since 1999," said Pemberton, 33.
"I'm proud of the progress that the race team has made in the last three years, and I wish continued success to all of the people that have been part of the program."
After serving as one of the youngest crew chiefs in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series for three seasons (1997-99), Pemberton joined the Mooresville, N.C.-based team prior to the 2000 season.
Progress
Under his guidance, Blaney's Jasper Ford team advanced during his first two full seasons to 23rd in the standings in 2001, registering six top-10 finishes with driver Robert Pressley, including the team's best career finish -- a second-place performance at Chicagoland Speedway in July.
In 2002, the Jasper Motorsports team with Blaney, of Hartford, is ranked 19th and in position to finish in the top 20 in the final owner points standings for the first time in its eight-year history, and is ranked second in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series in both laps and miles completed.
"We are proud of what Ryan has brought to our team and thank him," said Doug Bawel, president of Jasper Engines & amp; Transmissions and co-owner of Blaney's Jasper Motorsports team.
Blaney enters the Ford 400 at Homestead/Miami Speedway ranked 19th, 19 points behind Jeff Green and 98 points behind Bobby Labonte.