Wed, 14 May 2003, 12:57 PM GM Racing's Fishel to Retire after 40 Years with GM

Courtesy of Jeff Romack, GM Racing

DETROIT -- Herb Fishel, executive director of GM Racing, will retire Sept. 1, leaving a legacy in racing spanning 40 years. Fishel will be on special assignment to GM Service and Parts Operations from June 1, until his retirement.

One of Fishel's final duties with GM Racing will be to drive the Chevrolet SSR official pace vehicle to start the 87th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 25.

Doug Duchardt, Group Manager for GM Racing's oval track group, will assume Fishel's responsibilities at GM Racing effective June 1. Pat Suhy, Jr., an engineer at GM Powertrain, will replace Duchardt.

Fishel, 61, worked with the late Zora Arkus-Duntov and Vince Piggins, who initiated GM's rebirth into racing and performance parts with the Corvette and small-block Chevy V8 engine in the 1950s. Fishel has influenced GM's performance programs throughout the second half of the 20th century. On Oct. 8, 1991, all of GM's racing programs were combined under his supervision.

"The name Herb Fishel has been synonymous with championship racing programs at GM for decades," said John Middlebrook, GM vice president of marketing and advertising. "Herb is leaving a legacy of success that is both remarkable and inspiring: nine consecutive Winston Cup Manufacturers' titles at one point, and 21 of 24 driver's titles through last year. In 2001, Herb's team did something no one else had done in nearly 30 years, by winning the Daytona 500, Indy 500 and 24 Hours of Le Mans."

In 1997, Fishel was named by Hot Rod magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the first 50 years of hot rodding. He also has been recognized by Racer magazine as one of the dozen most influential people in racing.

Duchardt, 39, has been responsible since 1999 for all program management and technical development in the areas of engine, chassis and aerodynamics for the Chevrolet and Pontiac racing efforts in the NASCAR Winston Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series. Duchardt has been with GM since 1983 and holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from University of Missouri-Rolla and a master's degree in engineering from Purdue University.

Suhy, 39, is the fuel system design engineer for Gen 3 and 4 V8 and high feature V6 engines. He joined GM Powertrain in 1990 as dynamometer engine development project engineer after earning bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering from Michigan Technological University. Suhy also has been active in the American Sedan class of the Sports Car Club of America's (SCCA) national road racing series, where he has simultaneously served as owner, crew chief, engine builder and driver of his own racing team.