Brad Parrott named RAB Racing crew chief

RAB RACING NAMES BRAD PARROTT AS CREW CHIEF OF THE NO. 09 ZAXBY'S FORD

Concord, NC (2/17/09) - RAB Racing announces Brad Parrott as crew chief of the No.09 Zaxby's Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, effective immediately.

Brad Parrott, son of legendary Sprint Cup crew chief, Buddy Parrott brings with him 20-plus years of experience in the NASCAR industry, working his way up through the ranks with some of the top teams in the motorsports industry including: Penske Racing, Robert Yates Racing, Roush Fenway Racing and most recently Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates.

"Being a Raybestos rookie of the year contender in the Nationwide Series, I am thrilled with the opportunity to work with Brad and tap into his wealth of knowledge," said John Wes Townley, driver of the No. 09 Zaxby's Ford. "His extensive experience in this sport is going to be a tremendous asset to both myself and RAB Racing."

Prior to being a crew chief, Parrott served as car chief to Dale Jarrett in the No. 88 Ford at Robert Yates Racing from 1996 to 2001. The team earned 23 victories (including two Daytona 500 and two Brickyard 400 wins) and the 1999 NASCAR Cup Championship.

Parrott took on the role of crew chief in 2002 working with Jeff Burton in the NNS at Roush Fenway Racing. In just 13 starts, the duo captured five wins, eight top-fives, nine top-10 finishes and two poles. In March of that year at Darlington, Burton not only captured the pole, but went on to lead every lap en route to victory lane.

In 2003, Parrott went back to the No. 88 car and Robert Yates Racing to crew chief Dale Jarrett; winning his first NASCAR Cup race as crew chief in just his second start at North Carolina Speedway.

Parrott returned to Roush Fenway Racing in 2004 and 2005 to work with drivers Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards in the NNS. In just two seasons the Charlotte, NC native earned six poles, 10 wins, 30 top-five and 42 top-10 finishes as well as guiding Edwards to the 2005 Rookie of the Year title.

In 2006 Parrott made the move to Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. The seasoned crew chief earned Casey Mears and former Formula-One driver, Juan Pablo Montoya their first NASCAR victories, and also assisted Reed Sorenson to his second victory in the Nationwide Series.

Parrott's most recent stint was with a multitude of CGRFS drivers in 2008. His proven success earned him three poles with drivers Bryan Clauson (Daytona, July), Scott Pruett (Montreal), and Dario Franchitti (Watkins Glen).

The veteran crew chief has proven success on the track, amassing 18 NNS victories and has also helped sculpt the career of many top-drivers in the sport today. Parrott has once again been assigned the task of guiding a rookie driver to the top of the NASCAR ranks as he takes on the role of crew chief for John Wes Townley in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

Parrott's first race atop the pit box for RAB Racing will be at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California on Saturday, February 21st.

-credit: rabr