Matt Clark [formerly of RCR 2008-2011 and Hendrick Motorsports 2002-2007] reported on SPEED’s NASCAR Racehub that #29 Richard Childress Racing’s crew chief for #29-Kevin Harvick, Gil Martin, will not return as the crew chief in 2012, Supposedly Martin will move into RCR’s Competition Director. No word who will take over as Harvick’s crew chief. Fox Sports has already reported that Shane Wilson, crew chief for #33-Clint Bowyer will move to the #31 team and driver Jeff Burton in 2012. Luke Lambert, who was promoted from team engineer on the #31 team to crew chief on July 25, will crew chief Elliott Sadler as RCR absorbs the Kevin Harvick Inc. Nationwide Series squads.(11-18-2011)
UPDATE: The #29 Richard Childress Racing road crew was told its services would not be needed after this weekend. One crewman said he found out about the decision in the parking lot when he arrived at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Friday morning. Another crewman stated he found out via the Internet. “No one knows where we’re going,” said one 17-year veteran of RCR. Crew chief Gil Martin says his son Ford called to inform him that his job status was changing. Early Friday morning, rumors swirled that Martin, who still has two years on his contract, was out of the #29 crew chief’s role and moving into the director of competition position. As Martin pointed out, that role is currently filled by Kent Day. Although sources say Shane Wilson was earmarked for the crew chief’s role on the #31 team of Jeff Burton, his name is now being linked as a possible replacement on the #29 Chevrolet. Another possible candidate is Ernie Cope, who has been the crew chief for Kevin Harvick Inc. Nationwide Series driver Elliott Sadler and has worked with Harvick in the past. Luke Lambert, who is currently the crew chief for Burton and the #31 team is expected to assume the crew chief duties with Sadler in the Nationwide Series next year.(FoxSports)(11-18-2011)
UPDATE2 denied in part Richard Childress told Sirius XM NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that there is no truth to rumors that the #29 road crew has been informed that they will be terminated after this weekend’s season finale at Homestead Miami Speedway. “There may be some changes made during the winter,” said Childress, “but that is absolutely nothing but a rumor. Nobody has been told that they eill not return.”(11-18-2011)
UPDATE 3: Childress said he will not fill the position lost when former competition director Scott Miller went to Michael Waltrip Racing. He elevated Kent Day from technical director of competition to interim competition director and wonât fill Dayâs role.(SceneDaily)(11-19-2011)
