Ginn adds DeHart to staff.

The renamed Ginn Racing operation (formerly MB2 Motorsports) have announced that former championship winning crew chief Gary DeHart has joined their expanding roster of staff as director of shop operations.

DeHart, who spent nearly the past 20 years at Hendrick Motorsports, will oversee shop employees and assist in managing the company's growth during the NASCAR team's expansion, according to Jay Frye, Ginn Racing's CEO and general manager.

"With the growth taking place at Ginn Racing, we're excited to have someone as experienced as Gary to help us through this new phase of our racing organisation," said Frye. "Hendrick Motorsports has grown over the years in the same way we're working toward and Gary was a part of that growth. His experience will be vital to making the process go smoothly and we're thrilled that he has chosen to join us."

Ginn Racing has nearly doubled its employees, from 85 to 160, since Bobby Ginn purchased majority ownership in the team last July. The team, which has operated two full-time Cup programmes for the past six seasons, will add a third full-time Cup programme in 2007, as well as a full-season Busch programme and an aggressive driver development programme.

As a crew chief at Hendrick motorsports, DeHart teamed with Terry Labonte in 1996 to capture the NASCAR Cup championship, tallying two victories, 21 top fives and four poles. DeHart retired from the crew chief ranks following the 1997 season. He spent the past six years managing shop operations at Hendrick Motorsports and directing the company's safety programme.

"There are plenty of exciting things happening at Ginn Racing right now and I'm proud to be a part of them," said DeHart. "I think the world of Rick Hendrick and he feels the same way about Ginn Racing. It's an organisation that is on track to becoming one of the top teams in NASCAR and I'm delighted to have this opportunity to assist in the building process."