Liberati Joins the Drive in 05

Tony Liberati, known to many in the NASCAR garage area as "Rambo", has been tapped to lead Johnny Sauter and Team Yellow Racing into 2005 NASCAR Busch Series competition. Liberati is a NASCAR veteran, having visited Victory Lane with some of the most talented drivers in the NASCAR community.

As a soldier fresh out of the United States Marine Corps, Liberati began his career in racing by building chassis in 1986. When a teammate saw a photo of Liberati with an M60 in his hands, he commented that Liberati strongly resembled a movie character made famous by Sylvester Stalone.

"Ever since that day, people have called me 'Rambo'," said Liberati. "I don't mind it because I am proud of my background in the military and I know that experience makes me a great leader."

In 1991, Liberati joined Roush Racing as a team mechanic for Wally Dallenbach. Two years later, he became the shock specialist for Michael Waltrip at Bahari Racing. Liberati returned to Roush Racing in 1995 and played several key roles, including car chief and shock specialist for Jeff Burton's No. 99 NASCAR Winston Cup team. Liberati stayed with the team for two years before joining Hendrick Motorsports as a car chief for the No. 50 Chevrolet. Following a successful stint at Hendrick, Liberati was handpicked to lead the establishment of the Herzog Jackson Motorsports team, working with rising star Jimmy Johnson.

Liberati led the No. 92 team to four top-five and nine top-10 finishes during the 2001 season. After teaming up with veteran driver Todd Bodine in 2002, Liberati led the team to its second victory at Kentucky Speedway in June and the first Busch Series pole position in the history of Herzog Jackson Motorsports at Chicagoland Speedway. Under Liberati's leadership, the Herzog Jackson Motorsports team entered 2003 as a force in the NASCAR Busch Series garage. Liberati would add one more success to his resume, winning the darlingtonraceway.com 200 in March, before the team suspended operations in July of 2003.

During the 2004 season, Tony Liberati once again returned to Roush Racing as crew chief for the No. 9 Pennzoil Ford with drivers Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, and 2003 Winston Cup Champion Matt Kenseth.

When the opportunity to join Phoenix Racing as the Crew Chief overseeing both the NASCAR Nextel Cup and NASCAR Busch Series program, Liberati was elated.

"Johnny and I have been friends for a long time and I have always wanted to work with him," said Liberati. "When I first met him, I said that one day we'd race together and now we finally have that chance."

With four trips to Victory Lane as a Crew Chief, Liberati is ready to take the reigns at Phoenix Racing.