popping up all over Twitterland: #56-Martin Truex Jr. has a new crew chief at Michael Waltrip Racing, Chad Johnston takes over for former crew chief Pat Tryson. No word on Tryson’s future plans.
UPDATE: Michael Waltrip Racing announced the promotion of Chad Johnston from lead engineer to crew chief of the #56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota driven by Martin Truex Jr. Johnston’s new role is effective immediately as the team prepares for this weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway. Johnston joined the #56 team midway through last season and was instrumental in setting up the NAPA Toyota for the two-time Nationwide Series champion. The 31-year-old native of Cayuga, Ind., entered NASCAR in 2004 and has worked with drivers Kasey Kahne, Marcos Ambrose, Elliott Sadler, Scott Riggs and Dennis Setzer. Pat Tryson has been redeployed within Michael Waltrip Racing.(MWR)
UPDATE2: Tryson said he remains under contract with MWR and isn’t sure what his new responsibilities will be. “Somebody always has to be that guy,” he told ESPN.com. “I wouldn’t say I was part of the problem. As a company we aren’t running well. It’s a strange deal. I really can’t say much.”(ESPN.com)(6-7-2011)
