Jim Oberhofer Named Crew Chief for Paul Lee

McLeansboro, Illinois - December 4th 2018

Paul Lee with his McLeod Racing Nitro Funny Car will compete in the 2019 Mello Yello NHRA Nitro Funny Car category under the management umbrella of the Straightline Strategy Group.

Lee suffered what is known as a highly fatal widow’s maker heart attack in December 2016 with a 100 percent blockage of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. Three stints were inserted in his main artery and Paul suffered what was thought to be significant damage that would preclude him from driving in the Nitro Funny Car division. However through aggressive rehabilitation and significant physical training, Lee was cleared by doctors to return to the driver’s seat.

“We are excited to essentially be partnering with Paul by managing the day to day operations of the McLeod Racing Funny Car” said SSG Partner Doug Stringer. “The management component will go hand and hand with our Marketing Alliance Group to secure Paul financing for the entire 2019 Series” continued Stringer.

“I am excited to join SSG and getting back doing what I love most, driving and competing in the McLeod Racing Nitro Funny Car in NHRA” said Paul Lee. “After two years of hard work recovering from my heart attack, I can hardly believe I get to go race again. Driving a Nitro Funny Car has been my lifelong passion. I’m also looking forward to teaming with Clay Millican, working with my buddy “Jim O”, and excited to work with the entire SSG organization. SSG will be a powerhouse team now and into the future in NHRA Professional Drag Racing”

Not wasting any time, Stringer also announced the addition of Jim Oberhofer as Crew Chief for the Paul Lee entry. “Our first order of business was securing a highly talented Crew Chief and are pleased that Jim accepted that position” he concluded. Oberhofer will initially assist Mike Kloeber, Crew Chief on the Parts Plus, Strutmasters.com Top Fuel Dragster until he transitions into his main role as Crew Chief on the Paul Lee entry.

Oberhofer who last tuned the Hennen Motorsports Top Fuel Dragster driven by Kebin Kinsley had previously been an Executive at Kalitta Motorsports with a 30+ year stint and is anxious to reunite with Paul Lee and get back to regular crew chief operations.