Donlavey Racing hires Lopez as team consultant.

Hills Bros Coffee Racing team owner Junie Donlavey has hired Felipe Lopez as a consultant for his NASCAR Winston Cup team that fields Fords for veteran driver Hut Stricklin.

"I think Felipe is an excellent addition to the Hills Bros Coffee Racing team," Donlavey said. "He has experience with Hut and they communicate well with each other."

Lopez was released earlier in the season by Foyt Racing and was previously employed by Dale Earnhardt Inc. to work as crew chief with driver Steve Park.

"I'm excited to work with (crew chief) Bobby King and Hut," Lopez said. "I'm here to help them get back on track and to help Bobby continue the excellent job that he's been doing. I feel they have the pieces laid to make this a competitive team. I'm here to help them get to that point."

Lopez worked alongside of Stricklin in 1996 and two races in 1997. The duo combined for Stricklin's career-best, second-place finish at Darlington in 1996.

"I'm happy to see us get Felipe," Stricklin said. "He has a lot of experience that can help this young team gel together as we progress through the season. He's a good friend and understands Bobby and myself very well."

Lopez's first race with the Hills Bros Coffee Racing team will be this weekend at California Speedway in Fontana, Calif.