Ford unveils newest model Jul 17, 2005
"The Taurus was introduced in 1998 and has won 92 Cup races since -- and the last two championships. But the passenger-car Taurus is being replaced by the Fusion, meaning Ford Racing officials needed to develop a new car for NASCAR.Unlike the development of the Taurus, which was done by Penske Racing South, Ford decided to work on the Fusion in-house. Led by Ford Racing field manager Ben Leslie and Ford Racing NASCAR aerodynamics engineer Bernie Marcus, the manufacturer did the work, leaving the... (Daytona Beach News Journal -- Racing)
Rupen Fofaria: Intermediate puzzle Apr 25, 2005
The young drivers have proved adept at handling loose cars and veteran has achieved such precise communication with his crew chief, Ben Leslie, that the No. 6 car hasn't skipped a beat. Hendrick Motorsports drivers and have continued at their usual torrid pace, not showing any signs of being thrown off by the rules. (ESPN -- RPM)
Five things to watch in '05 Feb 20, 2005
Martin said the team wanted to pair the young Busch with veteran crew chief Jimmy Fennig and pair the veteran Martin with the younger Ben Leslie. "I think it got some experience on my side and some fresh, new ideas on Mark's side," Busch said. (ESPN -- RPM)
Silly Season 2005 Jan 7, 2005
The team is looking for sponsorship and the crew chief will be Lee Leslie, brother of former NASCAR NEXTEL CUP Series crew chief Ben Leslie (now working for Ford). Also of note, even though its not the ARCA RE/MAX Series, just wanted to throw it out there, if you live in the Northeast, there is a great Motorsports show to see. (Suite101.com)
Jack Roush believes Nov 21, 2004
They had Busch and veteran racer switch crew chiefs, pairing Martin with the younger and more innovative Ben Leslie, and pairing Busch with the elder statesman Jimmy Fennig. Fennig isn't a guy who gets a lot of attention. (ESPN -- RPM)
Ford team will use car from Richmond at New Hampshire race this week. Sep 15, 2004
Fatback sets the cars up in a different way than Ben Leslie set them up, but I can't say how different they are from the way Pat Tryson set them up. I don't know the differences. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Ashenfelter: Rudd's reunion with Fatback a hit Sep 9, 2004
Rudd's Wood Brothers Racing team has struggled from the outset in 2004 and things just weren't clicking with Ben Leslie calling the shots. So when the chance to get back with McSwain presented itself, team co-owners Eddie and Len Wood got the deal done, pleasing Rudd. (ESPN -- RPM)
Incident costs Busch $100 Aug 19, 2004
McSwain replaces crew chief Ben Leslie, who accepted a position with Ford Racing Technology. He takes over next week at Bristol Motor Speedway. (St. Petersburg Times -- Sports )
Motorcraft team pushing to eliminate the push in the corners at California. Apr 29, 2004
SI.com - Writers - Ricky Rudd: Pushing to eliminate the push in the corners - Wednesday April 28, 2004 5:00PM. Motorcraft team pushing to eliminate the push in the corners. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Despite a good history at Martinsville, running up front is not a given. Apr 14, 2004
Ben Leslie was in the Roush camp and he knew what was going on and thought he might have a better combination than what they were running. It turns out that maybe that wasn't the case, but he tried it and has had the smarts to say it didn't work so we'll get more like they are and not get so far out of the box out of the body. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Atlanta Motor Speeway brings in the bucks Mar 27, 2004
Ben Leslie said his son, Dylan, 19 months, (with mom Shelley) sleeps through noise but wakes up when it's quiet. The Golden Corral 500, held on March 14, drew the largest spring crowd ever to the track, said Angela Revell, a spokeswoman for the speedway, located in Hampton. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
unbridled optimism Mar 11, 2004
With Roush Racing coming off its first Cup championship with , and new crew chief Pat Tryson on board (replacing Ben Leslie), Martin was primed to return to his winning ways. But the No. 6 Ford team's high hopes were dashed seven laps into the season-opening Daytona 500 when Martin's engine let go, leaving him the first man out of the race and the last man in the standings (43rd). (ESPN -- RPM)
Elliott missing from N.C. Speedway Feb 22, 2004
Also penalized were crew chiefs Ken Francis, Tony Gibson, Mike Hillman, Greg Zipadelli, Ben Leslie, Greg Steadman and Gary Putnam. Drivers Rusty Wallace and Kirk Shelmerdine were fined $500 apiece for using head-and-neck restraints in which the manufacturer's date had expired. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Notes: Kahne Feb 22, 2004
Greg Zipadelli, crew chief for the No. 20 Chevrolet of Tony Stewart, and Ben Leslie, crew chief for the No. 21 Ford of Ricky Rudd, were fined $500 each for using adjustable fender braces. Greg Steadman, crew chief for the No. 45 Dodge of Kyle Petty, and Gary Putnam, crew chief for the No. 43 Dodge of Jeff Green, were fined $500 each for an unapproved air directional device. (ESPN -- RPM)
Twin 125 Races Will Give Drivers A Preview of 500 Feb 12, 2004
It can also change a team's pit strategy during the race, said Ben Leslie, who is the crew chief for Ryan Newman's team. "The way things stand now," said Leslie, "if your car is handling good, your tires will just make it to a fuel stop."If your car's not handling good, you're either going to be forced to take a chance and hope that a tire doesn't blow out because of excessive wear, or you'll have to bite the bullet and pit before you actually have to for fuel," Leslie said.Most teams will... (The Ledger)
Tire wear key to today's 125s Feb 12, 2004
Ben Leslie, crew chief for Ricky Rudd's No. 21 Ford, one of the fastest drivers here this week, said the tires will make just 35 or 36 laps about as far as a tank of gas will allow. But there are no guarantees. (Shoals TimesDaily)
Big key in 125s is role of tires Feb 12, 2004
" Goodyear has brought a slightly harder right side tire to Daytona this year. That has given the cars a different feel -- making the drivers think the rear end wants to slide out from under them in the turns. In response, the teams have changed the setup of the cars, making the right front tires wear badly. Ben Leslie, crew chief for Ricky Rudd, one of the fastest drivers this week, said the tires will make just 35 or 36 laps -- about as far as a tank of gas will allow. But there are no... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Close is good, but who knows Dec 26, 2003
But his practice laps had been no illusion: He and crew chief Ben Leslie had configured a beautifully handling racecar, and just twenty-three laps into the 400-lap race, he had advanced to 13th. "Nice and smooth, pal," Leslie said (That's Racing)
Foursome vows to be fearsome again Nov 22, 2003
Young Ben Leslie, who engineered Martin's near-successful challenge to overtake Stewart in 2002, was "traded" to the Wood Brothers in return for Pat Tryson. Marlin, meanwhile, is hoping that the magic he was able to spin in 2002, combined with Chip Ganassi's golden touch as a championship-building team owner in open-wheel racing, will be able to bring about a significant performance resurgence (ESPN)
Roush Racing having a Jekyll and Hyde season Nov 5, 2003
Things have gotten so bad that last week Roush made an unexpected change, moving Martin's crew chief, Ben Leslie, to Wood Brothers Racing, which is closely affiliated with Roush Racing, in exchange for Pat Tryson, Ricky Rudd's crew chief. " Such a move has worked before. Martin struggled in 2001, going winless and slumping to 12th in points. At the end of the season, he and Busch swapped crew chiefs. It worked for both of them. Leslie led Martin to a runner-up finish in points last year while... (CBS Sportsline)
PR - Jeff Burton Chats About Roush Success Nov 5, 2003
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE CREW CHIEF SWAP BETWEEN BEN LESLIE AND PAT TRYSON. "We have two very talented, high-caliber crew chiefs that have worked together in the past. Both crew chiefs and both teams need to improve. Both crew chiefs and both teams are needing to have a new look and this is a way of taking people that are talented and have the ability to get it done to try and surround them with an organization that works for them. I think it?s wrong when people don?t have success and... (The Motor Sports Forum)
PR - Wood Brothers , Roush to Swap Crew Chiefs Nov 4, 2003
Effective Monday morning Ben Leslie will become the crew chief of the No. 21 Motorcraft Racing Team with driver Ricky Rudd, while Pat Tryson will take over the crew chief duties for the No. 6 Viagra Racing Team with driver Mark Martin. We are looking to improve the chemistry by making a crew chief/driver combination change in the same manner as we did with Ben and Jimmy Fennig with Mark and Kurt [Busch] before the 2002 season (The Motor Sports Forum)
Kenseth moving closer to Cup Nov 3, 2003
Ben Leslie will leave Martin's team and report to Rudd's. They're working to move to Charlotte that will put them a lot closer to our operation, so beginning with that move, we are going to look to revitalize the No. 21 car by putting Ben with the Wood Brothers and Ricky Rudd (Athens Banner-Herald, GA)
