MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Dec. 20, 2007) – Dale Earnhardt Inc. announced it has signed crew chief Kevin “Bono” Manion to a three-year deal that will continue his long-term tenure at DEI.
“Chemistry is a very important part of any race team and I’m excited that we’ll be able to continue to build on what we have accomplished over the past several years,” said Manion. “We are looking forward to getting back out there on the track in January and hopefully starting to build on what can be a championship season.”
“We are very pleased to sign Kevin to a multi-year agreement,” said John Story, vice president of motorsports operations at Dale Earnhardt Inc. “Kevin is a long time and loyal employee of Dale Earnhardt Inc., and his accomplishments speak for themselves. He is a proven championship caliber crew chief, and is dedicated to our Company. We look forward to him continuing to build our organization towards the future.”
Manion helped guide the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Team and Martin Truex Jr. to a berth in the Chase for the Nextel Cup in 2007. In addition, the team notched its first win at Dover in June.
Manion, who joined Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 1997, helped lead Truex and his No. 8 Busch Series team to 12 victories and two Busch championships in 2004 and 2005, before moving to the Cup series with the team in 2006.
Dale Earnhardt Inc., based in Mooresville, N.C., employs over 450 people on its two state-of-the-art campuses. Dale Earnhardt Inc. is comprised of a NASCAR Busch Series team and four Nextel Cup teams, featuring drivers, Paul Menard, Martin Truex Jr., Regan Smith, Mark Martin and Aric Almirola. The organization has amassed over 100 wins, and has won six NASCAR Championships, as well as three Daytona 500s.
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