NHRA News: Todd Smith named crew chief for Carrier Boyz Racing (3/29/2004)

Todd Smith named crew chief for Carrier Boyz Racing

3/29/2004

Todd Smith

Looking for a performance advantage and overall consistency, Andy and Mark Carrier, owners of Carrier Boyz Racing, have named Todd Smith as crew chief on Cory McClenathan's Berryman Products Top Fuel dragster. Smith replaces Jimmy Walsh.

Thus far in three races on the 23-race 2004 schedule, the Carrier Boyz Racing dragster is seventh in the Top Fuel point standings, has qualified in the top half of the field once, and has advanced to the second-round only one time.

"As a team, we are having trouble finding consistency this year," Andy said. "In this sport it's all about performance and consistency. Since the crew chief is the person responsible for the on-track performance, he is also the same person, when the performance goes bad, that shoulders the result of poor production. As a result of our slow start this season, Mark and I feel that it is time for change and redirection.

"While wishing Jimmy and Bob the best of everything in their new endeavors, [we] would like to welcome Todd Smith to Carrier Boyz Racing. We look forward to good things happening. Everyone associated with this team is excited about the new beginning."

"Jimmy Walsh and Bob Bauer got us from Point A to today and both Andy and I are grateful for that," Mark said. "The bottom line is that we feel we must act in the best business interest of Carrier Boyz Racing and make adjustments as we pursue the NHRA POWERade championship. We feel that Todd is the individual to take this program to the next level."

McClenathan, who assumed the driver position on the Carrier Boyz Racing team just prior to the start of the 2004 season, echoed the Carrier brothers thoughts, "I watch the individuals in our sports progress over the years and last year I thought that Jimmy did a great job getting Carrier Boyz Racing established in the sport," he said. "I agree that it takes consistency to be at the top and we needed new direction to achieve the overall goals that the Carrier brothers have established for this team.

"It's now time to begin working once again with Todd Smith and Julie Gonzalez. I'm excited. I spent all last year with them when I drove for Darrell Gwynn Racing. It may take us a few races to get things figured out but we look forward to the future."

Smith, the son of two-time NHRA Comp Eliminator champion Charlie Smith, began his motorsports career racing motorcycles. Moving to the NHRA circuit as a crewman in the late '80s, Smith literally started at the bottom, but soon worked his way up the crew member ranks. This career path allowed him to gain invaluable knowledge regarding every aspect of a Top Fuel dragster.

Smith's learning curve gave him the opportunity to work on many championship caliber teams including five years at Kalitta Motorsports serving as co- crew chief to the legendary Connie "the Bounty Hunter" Kalitta and Ed "the Ace" McCulloch. Most recently, from 2000 through 2003, he served as co-crew chief on the Top Fuel dragster of Darrell Gwynn Racing.

Last year, with Cory Mac as driver, Smith helped lead Gwynn's team to a fifth-place finish in the POWERade Top Fuel point standings, as well as career best time and speed for McClenathan at 4.463 seconds at 332.10 mph.

"I look forward to the opportunity at Carrier Boyz Racing and working once again with Cory," Smith said. "In my dealings with Andy and Mark Carrier, they impress me as owners that want to win. That attitude matches my philosophy of fielding a winning and professional team."

Also, joining Carrier Boyz Racing is Julie Gonzalez, who will be responsible for the team operations as well as the sponsorship and hospitality activities.

"Julie will be an asset and important part of Carrier Boyz Racing," McClenathan said. "Her job description will cover a broad area of responsibility. She will oversee all team operations, assist in the area of sponsorship solicitation and sponsor liaison, and will organize and oversee all hospitality with our marketing partners. I have seen first hand how she performed and how she handled these job functions at Darrell Gwynn Racing and her previous experience will make Carrier Boyz Racing a much more efficient operation."

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