Connor named Leffler's crew chief

Dennis Conner named crew chief of Team ASE/CARQUEST Dodge

MOORESVILLE, NC - (May 28, 2003) Dennis Connor has been hired as crew chief for the Team ASE/CARQUEST Dodge. Connor will begin working with the Ultra Motorsports NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team and driver Jason Leffler immediately. Ultra Motorsports General Manager Tim Kohuth had been serving as Leffler's crew chief since Daytona but will relinquish the role to concentrate on his duties as general manager.

"We made this move to strengthen the entire organization," Team owner Jim Smith said. "Dennis Connor is a proven winner in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and we think this addition will benefit Jason Leffler, Team ASE and CARQUEST as well as Ultra Motorsports. As competitive as this series is, if you have a chance to make your team stronger you had better do it. Tim Kohuth and I are dedicated to making our truck series effort as strong as possible and we think this move will help us accomplish our goals."

Connor, 51, is a longtime NASCAR top gun who has successfully guided the fortunes of several drivers during his career. The Sylva, NC native guided Jack Sprague to three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championships (1997,1999 and 2001), two runner-up points finishes (1996 & 1998), 23 victories and 20 pole positions.

"I am thrilled to be back in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series," Connor said. "I love this series and it actually hurt not to be in the truck series garage. I have an emotional attachment to the truck series and I am glad to be back where I belong. Ultra Motorsports is already a tremendous operation and if I can help just a little bit then this team can do great things. I am looking forward to working with Jason and getting acclimated to these Dodge trucks."

In addition to Sprague, Connor has worked with a host of drivers including Tim Richmond, Skip Manning, Lake Speed, Richard Childress, Neil Bonnett, David Pearson, Larry Pearson, Ken Schrader, Benny Parsons, Randy LaJoie, Loy Allen, Mark Martin and Greg Sacks.

"I feel like I've been around this business since the dinosaurs walked the earth," Connor said. "I've worked with so many great drivers."

Away from the racetrack, Connor resides in Davidson, NC with his wife, Brenda Gail.

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