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CHAMPION CREW CHIEF GRIFFIS TO JOIN SAM SCHMIDT MOTORSPORTS
INDIANAPOLIS, Friday, January 16, 2004 – Sam Schmidt Motorsports announced today that they have hired veteran crew chief Chris Griffis to oversee its entries in the 2004 Menards Infiniti Pro Series.
In 2003, Griffis was the crew chief on Mark Taylor’s record setting 4 poles, 7 wins and dominating championship effort.
“We were quite successful in 2003 with driver’s Tom Wood and Brandon Erwin but we are always striving to improve our program,” said team owner Schmidt. “Obviously our goal for 2004 is to win races and the championship. I think Chris will compliment an already good team and allow us to accomplish those goals.”
"I am looking forward to working with Thiago and the entire team this season,” said Griffis. “They have a lot of experience already. I feel I can bring the knowledge and experience from last year to make this team a strong championship contender."
Chris draws from a lengthy involvement in open wheel racing. He began with Partick Racing in the 1980’s eventually learning every position on the team and working with such notable drivers as Gordon Johncock and Emerson Fittipaldi. In 1989 they won 5 races, the Indianapolis 500 and the CART Championship. Chip Ganassi then purchased the team and Griffis was crew chief for current Indy Car team owner Eddie Cheever through 1992. From 1993-2002, he worked for Bernstein Racing and Pac West as a crew chief, winning races with Scott Goodyear, Mark Blundell, Mauricio Gugelmin and Scott Dixon before overseeing the IPS team for Panther in 2003.
The Menards Infiniti Pro Series follows the Indy Racing League to America's premier oval tracks. Powered by a Q45, 450 horsepower engine with a six speed sequential gearbox, the Dallara built chassis can average speeds in excess of 190 MPH on a 1.5-mile super speedway. The third Menards Infiniti Pro Series season starts February 29, 2004 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Media contacts: Michele Davis, (602) 741-1915, mdavis@marketingchampions.com
World Wide Web: www.samschmidtmotorsports.com
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