NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Todd Okuhara, Don Schumacher Racing’s director of racing, will take over as crew chief on the team’s Leah Pritchett-driven Top Fueler beginning this weekend at the Protect the Harvest NHRA Northwest Nationals presented by Lucas Oil. Veteran crew chief Mike Guger has been released from his duties with the team. Joe Barlam will serve as the team’s assistant crew chief.

 

"We kept together as long as possible, and that was the goal,” said Pritchett, who with Guger and Barlam won her first NHRA Top Fuel title in Phoenix this season. “While I'll miss Mike being part of this team on and off the track, I respect Don's [Schumacher] decision, and we will continue to push forward and make the best of every situation as we have had to do all season long."

 

Pritchett sits 10th in Top Fuel points, in the final transition spot into the Countdown to the Championship that begins after the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals.

 

"It's business as usual for the Mopar Pennzoil team,” said Barlam. “Our goal, as always, is to get Leah in the winner's circle this weekend in Seattle.”

 

Phil Shuler will be the crew chief for Shawn Langdon and DSR’s Red Fuel Powered by Schumacher/Sandvik Coromant dragster. Okuhara and Shuler have previously shared crew chief duties on Langdon’s car.

NHRA's Amanda Busick contributed to this report