Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
4:03 pm Wednesday, May 15, 2002

NASCAR's Silly Season' already begun

By By Amanda Vincent / NASCAR Columnist
Crew chief changes seemed to be the order of the day early on, most notably Jimmy Elledge's release from the No. 88 team by Robert Yates Racing when there was a clashing of the minds between Elledge and the team's manager and former crew chief, Todd Parrott. Elledge left the team and Parrott was renamed crew chief with the team citing lack of chemistry as the reason behind the needed change.
Elliott Sadler got the ball rolling in drivers' "Silly Season" when he
announced that he wanted to be released from his contract with Wood Brothers Racing.
Motorcraft is a great sponsor who deserves to be running better. Maybe it's just a chemistry thing between the team and I. We're just not running the way we all think we should be running. Sometimes you've gotta try to make a change to benefit both parties."
Sadler will finish the 2002 season with the Wood Brothers organization. What happens after that is still up in the air.
According to Eddie and Len Wood, Sadler may be released from his contract at the end of the season if opportunities arise that are in the best interest of both Sadler and Wood Brothers Racing.
A more recent participant in the tradition of "Silly Season" shuffling,
driver Jerry Nadeau was released from the No. 25 team by Hendrick Motorsports.
According to press releases from Hendrick Motorsports, the parting was a mutual decision.
In contrast to the Sadler/Wood Brothers situation, Nadeau's release was effective upon announcement.
Joe Nemechek is expected to be an interim driver in the No. 25, as Hendrick plans to wait until the end of the season to name a permanent replacement for Nadeau.
As "Silly Season" continues to unfold, although no actions have been taken, and probably won't be until the end of the current season, there already is talk of a personnel, possibly driver, shakeup to improve consistency at Dale Earnhardt Inc.
look the same," DEI Executive Vice President Norris said. "The problem is we
as an organization are pretty inconsistent. We have to get better.
The NASCAR race season runs from mid-February to mid-November, making it the longest season in sports. During that time, NASCAR's other season, "Silly Season" is quickly becoming a year-round non-stop circus.

Also on Franklin County Times
Bill would eliminate YO status in cases of murder
Franklin County, Main, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
September 10, 2025
MONTGOMERY — A local state representative has pre-filed a bill that would prevent someone 16 or older who is charged with murder or capital murder fro...
Strickland takes council seat after Trulove’s withdrawal
Main, News, Red Bay
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 10, 2025
RED BAY — Jonathan Strickland has been declared the next Place 3 memberof theRedBayCity Council after incumbent Herbert Trulove withdrew from the Sept...
School threats are no joking matter
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
Alyssa Sutherland For the FCT 
September 10, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — The saddest thing about the Sept. 3 bomb threat at Phil Campbell High School is the lasting impact the hoax will have on the life of t...
Ambassadors program gives students taste of leadership
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 10, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE --the Ambassadors program at Tharptown Elementary is giving students an introduction to leadership. The program gives elected fifth and s...
Book Lovers Club to host violence awareness program
Columnists, Opinion, Russellville
HERE AND NOW
“We look forward to expanding our knowledge of the issues while engaging members and communities to unite in addressing this pervasive societal epidemic.”
September 10, 2025
The GFWC Book Lovers Study Club will host an awareness session about domestic and sexual violence at 2 p.m. on Sept. 20 at Russellville First Methodis...
Opinion: SPACECOM headquarters should be in Huntsville
Columnists, Opinion
September 10, 2025
After years of political wrangling, President Trump is bringing Space Command (SPACECOM) headquarters back to its rightful home in Huntsville. This wa...
Space Command could boost region’s economy
News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
September 10, 2025
FLORENCE—Northwest Alabama officials said the Sept. 3 announcement that the U.S. Space Command will be moved to Huntsville could boost local economies...
RHS volleyball team pushes record to 17-5
High School Sports, News, Russellville Golden Tigers, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
September 10, 2025
The busy week for the Russellville volleyball team was highlighted by a home match against county rival Phil Campbell, the first area match of the sea...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *