‘Slugger’ Labbe released at Yates Racing

NASCAR Nextel Cup crew chief Richard “Slugger” Labbe of Biddeford was released as Dale Jarrett’s crew chief by Robert Yates Racing on Monday along with teammate Elliott Sadler’s crew chief Tommy Baldwin Jr., according to a release on the team’s Web site.

Butch Hylton will serve as the crew chief for Jarrett’s No. 88 UPS Ford on an interim basis. He has been serving as developmental driver Stephen Leicht’s crew chief for two weeks.

Labbe’s plans are unknown.

Baldwin was immediately hired at Bill Davis Racing as a competition director. He served as Ward Burton’s crew chief at BDR from 1998-2002, which included four victories.

Charles “Cully” Barraclough, former Busch Series crew chief for Denny Hamlin, will fill in for Baldwin on the No. 38 M&M’s Ford.