DENVER, Colo. (March 8, 2016) – Joe Garone, president of Furniture Row Racing, has informed NASCAR it has withdrawn the appeal for a prerace infraction at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Garone, who met with NASCAR officials, said he was satisfied with the clarification of the penalty and was appreciative of the sanctioning body’s cooperation on this matter.
Furniture Row Racing crew chief Cole Pearn will serve his one-race suspension at this weekend’s NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series race in Phoenix.
Subbing for Pearn on race day in Phoenix will be former Furniture Row Racing crew chief Todd Berrier, who is now the director of fabrication at Joe Gibbs Racing. Berrier will call the race strategy on top the pit box for Martin Truex Jr.’s No. 78 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Toyota.
“Being able to secure the services of Todd for Phoenix was an incredible and selfless gesture by Joe Gibbs Racing,” said Garone. “We are very proud to have a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing and are deeply grateful for its quick response to offer assistance. I also want to thank Todd. He has plenty on his plate and to go the extra mile to help us out is appreciated by everyone at Furniture Row Racing.”
Berrier and Pearn have had a long-standing relationship as co-workers. Berrier was the crew chief at Furniture Row Racing from July 2012 through the 2014 season while Pearn served as the team’s lead race engineer during the same period. Berrier and Pearn also worked together at Richard Childress Racing and JTG Daugherty Racing.
“I don’t see this being anymore than a seamless transition of Todd taking over the crew chief role for one race,” said Garone. “Todd knows our system very well. He has worked with Martin, Cole, the majority of our crew and Toyota.”
