The Buzz: Nov. 29, 2001

November 29, 2001
7:50 PM EST (0050 GMT)

Veteran crew chief Dave McCarty, who most recently worked at Richard Childress Racing, will return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series full-time next season.

The Spears Manufacturing team, which fields the No. 75 Chevrolets and recently hired David Starr as its driver, just signed McCarty as his crew chief.

McCarty worked in the NCTS for Darrell Waltrip Motorsports, where he guided Rich Bickle to second in the championship in 1997. Since then he has also had a key role with Hank Parker Jr.’s family-run NASCAR Busch Series team.

WANKE TO RENSI?

Fred Wanke, the crew chief who led Ted Musgrave to a series high seven victories in the Craftsman Truck Series this past season, may be joining the Busch Series ranks.

Wanke was let go by Ultra Motorsports, the team that owns the No. 1 Dodge Musgrave drove, earlier this month.

He reportedly will be calling the shots for Bobby Hamilton Jr. when they both join the Rensi Motorsports No. 25 team sponsored by Team Marines.

Hamilton Jr. is speculated to be taking over the ride next year and has already said he has parted ways with the No. 26 Carroll Racing-owned Chevrolet that also competes in the Busch Series.