Corradi joins DSR as crew chief

BRIAN CORRADI JOINS DON SCHUMACHER RACING AS CREW CHIEF ON MATCO TOOLS DODGE FUNNY CAR

INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 15, 2005) - Don Schumacher today confirmed that Brian Corradi will be the crew chief on the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus Funny Car for the 2006 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

"The 2005 season was a tough one for the Matco Tools Dodge Funny Car team," said Schumacher. "Changing crew chiefs mid-season was not an easy decision to make. I am happy to bring on board Brian Corradi at the beginning of a new season so that he may work closely early on with the other crew chiefs on my championship-winning team and come into 2006 well prepared to contend for another title for DSR.

"I have the utmost confidence in Brian's ability to take on this task and know that he will be an outstanding addition to the team."

Corradi, 38, became crew chief for Don and Dean Skuza in 2003 after joining that operation in 1996. He was assistant crew chief from 2001 until 2003. Corradi also worked on Frank Pedregon's Funny Car team for 10 races this year.

"It will be different," he said of his new position with Don Schumacher Racing, where he will work in cooperation with Todd Okuhara. "I'm used to working with a close-knit family racing team, with the Skuzas. The most people we had in the crew was six guys. I feel this is a challenge I need to take."

Corradi was born in Cleveland, Ohio, grew up in Macedonia, Ohio, and currently lives in Broadview Heights, Ohio, with wife Jackie and sons Nick, 17, and Sean, 15.

He will commute between the Brownsburg, Ind., DSR shop and his Ohio home.

-dsr-