Veteran NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew chief Todd Parrott has been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR for violating the sports substance abuse policy. Parrott is the crew chief of Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford, who currently sits 18th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points standings.
Parrott won the 1999 Sprint Cup Series championship with driver Dale Jarrett and has 31 career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins which is third on the active list. Richard Petty Motorsports commented on the situation.
“We have an expectation of all RPM employees to conduct themselves at the highest level of professionalism and within the competitive confines as set forth by NASCAR,” said Sammy Johns, Vice President of Operations and Competition, who will crew chief the No. 43 entry in Parrott’s absence. “We are very disappointed that one of our employees did not meet our expectations and we completely support NASCAR, their policies and final decisions when it comes to the substance abuse policy.”
Johns will replace Parrott on the pit box for this weekend’s race at Talladega Superspeedway.
“Todd Parrott is a good crew chief, a good person, and a good friend. I’ll be a big cheerleader of his to get thru this difficult time,” driver Aric Almirola said on Twitter.
Parrott began his career as crew chief in 1995 and went to a full-time role with driver Dale Jarrett at Robert Yates Racing. Since then Parrott has worked as a crew chief for Petty Enterprises, Hall of Fame Racing and Roush Fenway Racing. Prior to his crew chief days Parrott worked as a team member for Penske Racing and Blue Max Racing. He is the son of former Cup crew chief Buddy Parrott.
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