SS-Green Light Racing, crew chief part ways

Deon Deneau Resigns from SS-Green Light Racing

SS-Green Light Racing announced today that long time Crew Chief, Deon Deneau has resigned from the organization. Deneau placed his resignation with team owner Ken Smith on Friday, stating personal reasons and differences in direction of the team. Deneau has taken a leadership role with ASA Late Model Team 5K Motorsports.

"Deon has been a staple here at SS Racing since basically the start of the team in 2001," said Ken Smith, SS Racing team owner. "He brought a great deal of knowledge and he's extremely talented. Every individual at a time in their career must make decisions that are best for them personally. I understand his reasons and I wish him great success in his new endeavor."

Deneau started with SS Racing in 2001 as the Crew Chief for 3-Time ASA Champion Butch Miller. The pair won (7) races and had many top finishes in the former ASA Touring Series. Once the ASA Touring Series went defunct SS Racing turned their focus to the ASA Late Model Series. The team became a developmental team for Hendrick Motorsports and their driver Chase Austin. Deneau led the program as Crew Chief, which also included managing the Indianapolis based racing facility and staff.

SS Racing has continued to evolve through many changes since the ASA Touring Days. Deneau was successful at adapting to those changes, having success with both a veteran driver and the group of young drivers that have come through SS Racing. In 2007 Sean Murphy was signed to the team and Deneau and Murphy found success capturing fast time qualifying awards, track records, several near wins and most of all the 2007 Rookie of the Year title. In 2008 the team changed those near wins into 3-wins in 3-races so far this season.

But the biggest change in 2008 was when SS Racing formed a Joint-Venture agreement with Green Light Racing a Mooresville, North Carolina based NASCAR Truck Series Team. SS Racing became SS-Green Light Racing, which moved the ASA Late Model operation to Mooresville (NC). Deneau was commuting back and forth from Indianapolis to Mooresville. SS-Green Light Racing would like to thank Deon Deneau for his hard work, dedication and success that he brought to the team for over 7-years and wish him the very best of luck.

Butch Miller will officially take over the Crew Chief role as the #32 SS-Green Light Racing team continues with Driver Sean Murphy, where they lead the Championship Points. Troy Smith remains with the team as Car Chief. Both Miller and Smith are based in Mooresville (NC).

-credit: ss/glr