Rambo Leaves Orleans Racing

After more than a year with Orleans Racing, Tony Liberati has left his position as crew chief for Brendan Gaughan and the No. 77 South Point Dodge to return to North Carolina.

“It was a difficult but mutual decision to leave Brendan and the Orleans team,” Liberati said. “We had several good runs during the summer, however the team wasn’t living up to its potential so we decided it was time for us to go our separate ways. Brendan and I had a great relationship, but it was time for a change.

“I’d like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Gaughan for the opportunity. I’m excited to be back in Mooresville with my six-year-old son Alex, and I’m looking forward to getting back to work.”

While at Orleans Racing, Liberati led the No. 77 team to five top-five and 11 top-10 finishes in 41 starts.

Liberati, 42, is now talking with numerous NASCAR teams about future employment. Liberati has an extensive and successful 20-year career in the NASCAR ranks.

He started his racing career by building chassis for Hutcherson-Pagan in 1986. Since then, Liberati has worked in both the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series garages with varying teams and drivers including Roush Racing, Bahari Racing and Hendrick Motorsports.

In 1999, Liberati was handpicked to direct the start-up effort of the Herzog Jackson Motorsports team. The Bellaire, Ohio, native led the No. 92 team with driver Jimmie Johnson to one win (Chicagoland Speedway) four top-five and nine top-10 finishes during the 2001 season. The win was Johnson’s first in NASCAR competition.

The team scored a second victory with driver Todd Bodine in 2002.

Under Liberati's guidance, the Herzog Jackson Motorsports team became a force to be reckoned with in the Busch Series. However, a lack of funds forced the team to suspend operations in July 2003 despite winning at Darlington with driver Todd Bodine and leading the points for 12 consecutive weeks.

Liberati returned to Roush Racing in 2004 to lead an all-star Busch Series team featuring Mark Martin, Jeff Burton and Matt Kenseth.

The following season, Liberati joined Orleans Racing.

Now back in North Carolina, Liberati is anxious to get back to work in the race shop.