Source: Orleans Racing
Date: 07/13/2004

LAS VEGAS, July 13, 2004 – Robert Strmiska, 22, has been promoted to crew chief of Scott Lynch’s No. 08 Yerf-Dog Dodge in the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series, Orleans Racing officials announced July 13.

Strmiska, who is known mostly as Junebug, previously served as the truck chief and rear-tire changer for Steve Park’s No. 62 Orleans Dodge in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Strmiska began his new duties July 5.

“This is a big step for me with my career goals,” Strmiska said. “I want to be a NEXTEL Cup crew chief at some point, and I think this is a big step toward that goal. I’m looking forward to learning new things and to using my experience to help Scott Lynch win races and challenge for a second championship.”

Strmiska grew up around racetracks helping his father with their Southwest Tour team. He comes from a family with a long history in motorsports. His grandfather, Ron Sr., and father, Ron Jr., were both well known racers in Central California.

“I’ve been working around racetracks my whole life,” Strmiska said. “Even though I’ve been around racing for many years, it is difficult to gain respect when you are only 22. I know people will question my age and Scott’s age. He is only 24. I think it is a benefit that we are both young because it will help us work well together.”

This is his fourth season with Orleans Racing. He joined the team as a fabricator and tire changer on Hershel McGriff’s West Series car in 2001, two weeks after graduating high school. He moved up to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Brendan Gaughan in 2002, working as a mechanic, fabricator and rear-tire changer. Last season, Strmiska worked primarily on setting up the trucks and continued to change rear tires. Strmiska was promoted to truck chief early this season.

The crew chief position opened in June when previous crew chief Charlie Wilson was promoted to crew chief of the truck series team.

The next race for the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series is July 17 at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash.

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