In that post, Nelson, who has guided the competition arm of NASCAR's top stock car series since 1992, will oversee the Cup, Busch and Truck Series as well as the new Research and Development Center in Conover, N.C.

The technical and research and development part of the new job is particularly intriguing for Nelson, who was one of the most successful crew chief in NASCAR and also headed up a team R&D program in the late 1980s.

"I think back on those days and realize that as a team we made quite a bit of progress by concentrating on that program," Nelson said. "It is what I enjoy, the nuts and bolts of the sport. Understanding the technical part of the car is what I do."

The new R&D center, intended to develop technology, reduce costs and make racing safer, has been open for several months and Nelson has been bouncing back and forth.

"I've spent a lot of time in airplanes," he said. "I guess this just means that maybe I'll get some more sleep and maybe spend a little more time at home."

Other changes announced Friday at Talladega Superspeedway, site of Sunday's EA Sports 500, include John Darby becoming Winston Cup director, Kevin Triplett moving from director of operations to managing director of business operations, Brian DeHart, formerly a NASCAR technical inspector, replacing Darby as Busch Series director, and former crew chief Joe Garone named director of the R&D Center.

The reorganization goes into effect next season.

Not happy
Car owner Richard Childress expressed his displeasure towards NASCAR and driver Bobby Hamilton over problems earlier this week at Martinsville Speedway.

Kevin Harvick, who drives the late Dale Earnhardt's car for Childress, tangled with Hamilton on the track in Monday's race and was penalized one lap by NASCAR for what the governing body said was rough driving.

Childress said the penalty, which played a part in Harvick's 22nd-place finish, was unfair and wondered why other drivers haven't been penalized for similar incidents.

But Childress was more bothered by comments Hamilton made after the race, when Hamilton accused Harvick of trying to be like Earnhardt because Harvick spun him out when he nudged him.

"To compare him to Dale, that's not right," Childress said. "He's not trying to be Dale, he is Kevin Harvick and that's how he drives. If he weren't aggressive and didn't drive like that, he wouldn't be driving for me."

Harvick has been under fire over the past several months for his driving style, which some competitors think is too aggressive, especially for a rookie. He's on probation in the Busch series for problems there and has tangled with several Winston Cup veterans on the track.

Childress said Harvick is under unfair scrutiny because he drives Earnhardt's old car and believes some people in the garage area fail to recognize he's still going to make rookie mistakes.

"He don't like to lose, he races hard and he races to win -- that's what got him this job," Childress said. "Dale saw that in him and tried to hire him for himself. But for Bobby to say what he said, that ain't right."

Team changes
Petty Enterprises, whose three Winston Cup entries have struggled to be competitive this season, has also made some organizational changes.

Steven Lane, who has been the car chief for Penske Racing South's No. 12 Ford, driven for most of the year by Jeremy Mayfield and now by Mike Wallace, will become crew chief on Kyle Petty's No. 45 Dodge beginning with next Sunday's race in Phoenix.

"We've been looking for someone with Steven's capabilities and attitude," said Petty, who is the team CEO. "His expertise will help us on the track. His personality and demeanor is going to be great for us off the track, too."

Chris Hussey, who has been Petty's crew chief, moves into an overall operational role.

As a driver, Petty has failed to qualify for 12 of 30 races this season and has no finish better than 12th.

John Andretti has qualified for 29 of the 30 races, but is 29th in the season points. Neither third team driver Buckshot Jones nor Petty are among the top 40.

Another key addition is Richard Buck, who resigned as team manager for Andy Petree Racing to become the Petty team's technical director.