The Swap' Earnhardt's road back to being a contender goes back to a move made 66 races ago by car owner Richard Childress. He swapped Earnhardt's and Mike Skinner's crew chiefs going into Michigan. Childress moved Larry McReynolds, who finally gave Earnhardt his prized Daytona 500 victory just four months earlier in Febuary, to the upstart 31 team with Rookie of the Year winner Mike Skinner. New Faces Huge sponsorship dollars can buy parts and sheetmetal, but it's people that make the difference in racing. You wouldn't recognize to many faces on the 3 team if you looked at a picture from 1994 to this season.
People are what make the difference.
Both teams had potential and quality personel. The chemestry, however, for each wasn't exactly right. And along the way, Michigan-native Hamlin has helped Earnhardt regain his past championship prowess. The two have a relationship very similar to the one Earnhardt had with Kirk Shelmerdine. We have come a long way and it has been a team effort.