CompetitionPlus.com has confirmed, Cruz Pedregon Racing tuner Lee Beard was relieved of his duties with the team on Monday morning.

Beard, a world championship crew chief and team manager, spent last season working with Pedregon and together they concluded the season with a win at the NHRA AAA Finals in Pomona, Ca. The team finished the season fourth in points.

“We just decided to go in a different direction with the team,” said Pedregon in a phone conversation Monday evening. “I wish Lee all of the best. We are moving on and looking forward to the off-season, testing in January and looking forward to building on our fourth place finish. We are excited.”

Pedregon said there would be restructuring within the team.

“We are going to move some guys around that I felt were the best fit for the team,” Pedregon explained.

The move took Beard by surprise.

“The only thing I can tell you about Cruz is his ego is way bigger than his talent,” Beard said in regards to his departure at CPR.

This was the second time in their careers the two had worked together. Beard served as a team manager for Larry Minor’s McDonald’s team when Pedregon captured the 1992 NHRA Funny Car world title.

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