Jones leaves Roush Fenway for Yates; Reiser steps up to general manager of NASCAR team

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) Longtime Roush Fenway Racing general manager Max Jones has moved to Yates Racing as a co-owner and general manager, with veteran crew chief Robbie Reiser stepping into his former job.

Jones, a former road racer, became general manager for Jack Roush's team in 1992. During his tenure the team has won the 2003 NASCAR Nextel Cup title, as well as championships in the Craftsman Truck Series, road racing and, this year, the Busch Series title with Carl Edwards.

"We're thrilled to have someone as respected as Max join Yates Racing," said the other co-owner, Doug Yates. "With his experience in the sport, and working with such a large and successful organization as Roush Fenway Racing for so many years, he will immediately step in and improve our race operations. Having someone with Max's experience and credibility only accelerates the process of getting Yates Racing back to where it needs to be, and that's competing for wins and championships on a weekly basis."

Reiser, who helped guide Matt Kenseth to the 2003 Cup title, came to the Roush team in 1999. Together, the two have 15 wins, 78 top-fives and 141 top-10s in NASCAR's top series.

"This is a great opportunity for me and I'm looking forward to the next phase of my racing career," Reiser said. "If it's anywhere near as fun, competitive, and successful as the previous phase, then we're going to be in good shape.

"It wasn't an easy decision to stop being the crew chief of the No. 17 team, but now I get to work with all of our Cup teams and help improve our performance as a whole. I'm looking forward to the new challenge."

Reiser is expected to remain in charge of Kenseth's team through Sunday's season-finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Roush did not immediately name a successor to Reiser.

Updated November 15, 2007