MB2 hires Slugger.

Noted Nextel Cup crew chief Richard 'Slugger' Labbe has joined the struggling MB2 Motorsports outfit ahead of their planned expansion in 2007.

The team, which runs the #01 U.S. Army Chevrolet driven by Joe Nemechek and the #14 Chevrolet driven by Sterling Marlin, was bought earlier this year by businessman Robert Ginn, who plans on running up to four full-time Cup teams in the near future.

Labbe's specific position with MB2 will be announced at a later date but he will initially focus on helping to guide the existing teams climb the points table.

Labbe, who previously worked as a crew chief for Robert Yates Racing, Evernham Motorsports and DEI, joined the MB2 teams at last weekend's Nextel Cup race in Bristol.

"The hiring of Slugger is the first phase of our expansion programme for 2007," said MB2's CEO and general manager Jay Frye. "Slugger is a talented crew chief and when the opportunity became available to hire him we jumped on it."

"We recently shored up our organisation when Bobby Ginn purchased majority interest in MB2," Frye added. "Bobby is committed to growing our programme and making our teams better."

Labbe, a 38-year-old native of Saco, Maine, said, "I am excited to join MB2 Motorsports. The company has a good vision on what's going to happen in the coming years. I hope my knowledge in the Nextel Cup field will help the organisation. This is a great opportunity and I am looking forward to getting started."

One of Labbe's biggest wins as a crew chief was the 2003 Daytona 500 with driver Michael Waltrip.