jared_turner's avatar
Author:
Jared Turner
Login For More
Rate this article:
  • 0/5 Stars
  • Related Photos
  • Related Videos
SPEEDtv.com Store
Legendary Race Cars, by Basem Wasef
Through vivid, human detail, writer and photographer Basem Wasef brings to life more than two dozen racing legends.
Our Price: $35.00
Visit Button
Buy Button
Man-Made Thunder
The book examines the sport of stock car racing through the eyes and ears of the men behind the wheel and the wrenches.
Our Price: $49.00
Visit Button
Buy Button
Unisex Sandwich Cap
Unisex Velcro back hat with SPEED logo on front. PINKS logo embroidered on left and PAO logo on right. One size fits all.
Our Price: $24.95
Visit Button
Buy Button
Speedway T-shirt
Men's 6 oz. 100% Cotton Jersey Short Sleeve Tee. SPEED logo imprinted on the front center chest.
Our Price: $24.99
Visit Button
Buy Button
Ferrari Red Classic Hat
100% cotton twill. Ferrari shield embroidered on front, piping on the peak and Ferrari logo embroidered on back strap adjuster.
Our Price: $30.00 ($27.00 Member)
Visit Button
Buy Button
Footer Bg
  • Zoom More Photos Button
  • Camera Icon
CUP: Zipadelli Happy To Remain At Joe Gibbs Racing
Written by: Jared Turner
SceneDaily.com   http://www.scenedaily.com
07/04/2009
Charlotte, NC
 
Greg Zipadelli talks with his driver Joey Logano. (PHOTO: LAT Photographic) ยป More Photos

A year-and-a-half ago, Greg Zipadelli never dreamed he’d be in this position.

The crew chief who helped steer Tony Stewart to two NASCAR Cup titles and 33 wins at Joe Gibbs Racing had been talking with his driver about both men signing long-term contracts to remain with the organization.

Then everything changed.

Stewart announced last July he was leaving JGR at the end of 2008 to become a co-owner and driver for the team now known as Stewart-Haas Racing.

And Zipadelli, who helped establish the No. 20 team at JGR before the 1999 season, was left with a decision: Remain with the organization and serve as crew chief for Stewart’s successor, rookie Joey Logano, or go elsewhere.

After mulling his options, Zipadelli stayed put. And despite some bumps in the road already, he’s glad he did.

“I just feel like I got the opportunity 11-plus years
ago to come over to Joe Gibbs Racing and kind of start the 20 team,” Zipadelli says. “And all these guys left somewhere else to come over here and go to work for me and they were all willing to stay here and start over and stand behind me. With that being said, I feel it’s my house, it was my team, you know what I mean? And it was time for us to prove that we were a good team and work our self back to the front.”

Working with the 19-year-old Logano has been as different from working with the veteran Stewart for Zipadelli as night and day.

Besides the obvious contrasts in age and experience, the soft-spoken Logano and occasionally brash Stewart don’t share much in common in terms of personality and style. That’s been an adjustment for the 42-year-old Zipadelli, whose 10 years with Stewart represented the longest running driver-crew chief pairing in the Cup garage.


Page 1 of 3
Next Page »
1 2 3 >
View All Comments