Steve Grissom, Larry Hedrick Part Ways

Grissom, Hedrick part ways By Brett Borden

STATESVILLE, N.C. (Sept. 21, 1998) NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Steve Grissom and Larry Hedrick, owner of the No. 41 Kodiak Chevrolet team, have mutually agreed to release each other from their contract effective immediately.

"It's been a struggle basically this whole year," Grissom said. "A struggle with qualifying and track position. It just seems like we couldn't get it going."

"We wish Steve and Susan the best for their future," Hedrick said. "We have enjoyed our last two years racing together."

Grissom failed to make the field for last Sunday's MBNA Gold 400 at Dover Downs International Speedway. It was the second race the team missed out on in 1998, along with the Goody's Headache Powder 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. The No. 41 Kodiak Chevrolet also had to rely on provisionals to make the field in 14 other races on the NASCAR Winston Cup Series schedule, not including a 41st-place start in the season-opening Daytona 500.

Grissom and the team showed promise at the beginning of the season, earning six top-20 finishes in the first nine races, including a 10th-place finish in the Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. But the ensuing 14-race stretch produced an average finish of 31.15 (not including one DNQ).

The team began to pull out of its tailspin with top-20 finishes in the Pepsi Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway and the Exide NASCAR Select Batteries 400 at Richmond International Raceway, but then failed to make the field this past weekend at Dover.

Hedrick says the team is considering two options in replacing Grissom, short term for the remainder of the year and a permanent solution starting now.

"You would hope your permanent solution is available at the door," Hedrick said. "If that doesn't work then you've got to get someone for the short term. We've got several options, and I should have a clearer focus on the situation by (Tuesday) afternoon."

Grissom was not sure of his immediate plans, either.

"It's a little too soon as far as having something lined up for this week or next week," he said.

Source: NASCAR Online