Tuner Richard Hogan returns to DSR

RICHARD HOGAN RETURNS TO DSR TO TUNE MOPAR/OAKLEY DODGE

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Aug. 18, 2008) - Team owner Don Schumacher announced today that tuner Richard Hogan will return to Don Schumacher Racing as crew chief on the Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car driven by Gary Scelzi, beginning at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis on Labor Day weekend. Hogan will step in while Todd Okuhara continues to recuperate from a viral inner-ear infection.

Hogan previously worked at DSR as crew chief on the Top Fuel dragster driven by Melanie Troxel in 2006. He tuned Troxel to two victories in nine final rounds that season.

"Our two biggest concerns at DSR are that we allow Todd to recuperate fully and that the team perform well for all the sponsors," said Schumacher. "It's been a major burden on Rockstar Energy Drink Dodge tuner Phil Shuler, who's been pulling double-duty to also tune the Mopar/Oakley Dodge, and the other DSR crew chiefs who have lent their support."

Driver Gary Scelzi added, "We welcome Richard on board. It's going to take some heat off of Phil and release him from his duties of trying to tune both cars. We know Richard has a ton of experience. Everyone on the team and at DSR wishes Todd a quick recovery."

It will be a new challenge for Hogan, whose last stint working on a Funny Car was in 2001: "I haven't been real active in Funny Cars for a while," he said, "but it will help to work with a team that's already in place while trying to fill in for Todd and take some of the pressure off Phil.

"It also helps to have the facilities that DSR has, including the supercharger dynos, clutch dynos and all the resources. The DSR crew chiefs are all people I have known for a long time and that makes working with them pretty easy.

"It's always a challenge coming in the week before the U.S. Nationals or any race and trying to familiarize myself with the team and everything that's involved, especially when there is no testing permitted. The first run is critical in Indy because it's a night run. You do get a second night-run shot there on Saturday, but there will be a lot of cars at that event, so it's a tough place to start."

-credit: dsr