Cagnazzi Racing names Tommy Utt as crew chief

Utt rejoins Cagnazzi Racing to help tune Enders

Tommy Utt, crew chief Cagnazzi Racing

Photo by: Cagnazzi Racing

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 9) – Tommy Utt has come home.

The championship-winning crew chief has returned to Cagnazzi Racing and will serve alongside Dave Connolly as crew chief for GK Motorsports Pro Stock driver Erica Enders.

Utt, 56, worked as a crew chief for Cagnazzi Racing for more than seven years. He most recently served in the same capacity with KB Racing, winning championships in 2010 and 2011.

"It's great to have him back," team owner Victor Cagnazzi said. "I missed him. I've known him for years, so I'm happy he's back with us."

Utt served as Connolly's crew chief for many of the driver's Pro Stock victories and helped tutor Connolly in becoming a crew chief.

"We're excited the opportunity presented itself for us to hire Tommy back as part of our team," Enders said. "He was a big part of Cagnazzi Racing for years. It's kind of like he's back home."

Utt, who started as a crew chief in NHRA in 1997, will be reunited with his son, John, who works as a mechanic with Cagnazzi Racing. Tommy Utt has worked with notable drivers like Connolly, the Coughlin brothers, Richie Stevens and Gene Wilson.

"It's good to be back," Utt said. "I just felt like I needed a little change. Nothing against the KB (Racing) boys. They're great people, and I love all of them over there, but sometimes a man just feels like he needs to make a change, so I made one."

Enders, 28, is the most successful female driver in Pro Stock history and is coming off her best season as a professional. She earned two No.1 qualifiers and made three final-round appearances in 2011, reaching the Countdown to the Championship before finishing sixth in the Pro Stock standings.

"We're adding a really smart, experienced guy," Enders said. "He'll be a great addition to an already tremendous team."