LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Johnny Allen, a longtime crew chief in the NASCAR Busch Series, has joined Orleans Racing as the crew chief on Steve Park’s No. 62 Dodge in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, team officials announced Jan. 21.
Allen, 35, has worked in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, NASCAR Busch Series and ARCA competition and served as car chief for Geoffrey Bodine in the 2002 Daytona 500 when Bodine finished third. Allen also was car chief when Jamie McMurray scored a dominating win in the February 2003 Busch Series race at Rockingham.
This will be his first season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
“Orleans Racing is a top-notch race team,” Allen said. “After meeting the guys on the team and finding out that Steve Park was driving, I felt it was the right organization to join.
“Now we just need to go win races. I wouldn’t expect anything less from this group.”
Allen worked with Phoenix Racing in the ARCA Series and the NASCAR Busch Series from 1993-1998 before joining Diamond Ridge’s Busch Series team for the 1999 season. He returned to Phoenix Racing in 2000. In addition to working with Bodine and McMurray, Allen has worked with NASCAR veterans Jeff Purvis, Randy LaJoie, Sterling Marlin, Joe Ruttman and Jimmy Spencer.
“Johnny has the experience needed to lead this team,” Park said. “I’ve known him for a few years, but I’ve never had the chance to work with him. I know what he has done in the past, and I look forward to what he will accomplish in the future. I believe he has the talent and leadership skills to continue Orleans Racing’s tradition of winning races.”
Orleans Racing officials also announced Jan. 21 that Charlie Wilson remains as crew chief on Scott Lynch’s No. 08 Dodge in the NASCAR Grand National Division West Series.
Wilson, a native of Bakersfield, Calif., returns for his second season with Orleans Racing and his fifth consecutive season in the West Series. With Wilson as crew chief in 2003, Lynch and the No. 08 Winston West team won the series championship on the strength of three victories.
Wilson also will serve as crew chief for the No. 61 Dodge in a limited number of Craftsman Truck Series races this season. He served as crew chief for the No. 61 Dodge in two Truck Series events in 2003, helping Lynch to a 12th-place finish at Las Vegas and a 13th-place finish at Homestead.
