Prior to joining MWR in 2009, Hallam held various positions with the McLaren Formula 1 team. When he left the team, he was Head of Racing Operations. He also spent eight years working as an engineer with Team Lotus.

Hallam’s exit is the latest in a series of recent departures this summer for MWR. In May, it was announced that director of vehicle design Mike Coughlan was leaving MWR to join the Williams F1 team. As a result, MWR is suing Coughlan for breach of contract, and they are suing Williams for interference of contract. They are seeking an undisclosed sum of damages. The team also agreed to part ways with Cal Wells, their Executive Vice President of Operations, in July.

Hallam’s bio has been removed from MWR’s website, which could be an indication that his departure was not on the best of terms.

MWR co-owner Rob Kauffman said:

We want to thank Cal for his strong contribution to getting Michael Waltrip Racing to where it is today. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors. We plan to go forward now with the solid management team that is in place, and bring MWR to the next level.

This announcement follows the news that the team’s director of vehicle design, Mike Coughlan,  left the team to join Williams Formula 1 team. While it appears Wells’s departure was somewhat amicable, Coughlan’s does not seem to be so. MWR filed suit against Coughlan and the Williams F1 team. MWR claims breach of contract against Coughlan and interference of contract against Williams.

The crew chiefs from the No. 13 (“Bootie” Barker) and No. 47 (Frank Kerr) have been fined $75,000 and placed on probation for the rest of the year for violating Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 20-2.3A (unapproved added weight); 20-7 (all engine cooling system components must be approved by NASCAR prior to being used in competition); and 20-7.3A (radiator mount; failure to submit components) of the Sprint Cup Series rule book.

Robert Germain, owner of the No. 13, and Tad Geschickter, owner of the No. 47, have each been penalized 50 champion owner’s points. And, drivers Papis and Ambrose have each been penalized 50 championship driver points.

Meanwhile, the crew chiefs of the No. 00 (Rodney Childers) and No. 56 (Pat Tryson) have each been fined $25,000 and placed on probation through the end of the year for violating Sections 12-1; 20-7; and 20-7.3A.   

The violations occurred in post-qualifying inspection before the Texas race.

NASCAR confiscated the lower radiator pans on the Nos. 13 and 47 because they were found that the pans were considered unapproved ballast weight mounting, which is a violation of Rule 20-2.3, added car weight. The steel piece taken from Papis’ car weighed 45.2 lbs, while Ambrose’s piece weighed 25.7 lbs.

Cal Wells, of Michael Waltrip Racing, said in a statement:

NASCAR indicated we were running a part, a radiator pan, which had not been officially submitted for approval. We accept NASCAR’s ruling and will not appeal because we cannot debate whether the part was submitted, only whether or not the part needed submission.

 Geschickter said:

While the penalty feels excessive for an apparent misunderstanding on submitting a part, we also understand NASCAR has to police the sport and rule strictly to keep a level playing field among the teams. We will work diligently to ensure that there are no misunderstandings in the future.

The penalties drops Ambrose from 26th to 28th in driver’s points while Papis falls from 37th to 38th.