Lead Lap's NASCAR News » Gil Martin

Wilson Out As Harvick’s Crew Chief

Michael J Smith — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:06:21 +0000

Shane Wilson is out as crew chief for Richard Childress Racing’s No. 29 Sprint Cup Chevy and driver Kevin Harvick, according to FoxSports.com.

Gil Martin will replace Wilson as Harvick’s crew chief. Martin served as Harvick’s crew chief from 2009 until 2011, when he was replaced by Wilson.

Wilson will remain with the organization, but team owner Richard Childress indicated that he wasn’t sure in what capacity. Childress also called Martin’s position a “temporary situation,” indicating that Harvick could have a different crew chief in the future.

Harvick and Wilson struggled this season, though they sit eighth in the Sprint Cup Series standings. Harvick has three top 5s, and nine top 10s. After 23 races in 2011, Harvick was third in points, with three wins, six top 5s, and 11 top 10s. It has been 33 races since Harvick’s last win.

Sadler To Drive For RCR In Daytona 500

Michael J Smith — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:19:19 +0000

Elliott Sadler will drive Richard Childress Racing’s No. 33 Sprint Cup Chevy in the 2012 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. General Mills and The Kroger Co. will co-sponsor the car. Veteran crew chief Gil Martin will be atop the pit box for Sadler.

Sadler will also drive for Kevin Harvick Inc/RCR in the Nationwide Series in the No. 2 Chevy.

Brendan Gaughan will take over driving duties of the No. 33 Cup Chevy the following week at Phoenix International Raceway, and will drive until the fifth race of the season at Auto Club Speedway.

The No. 33 is locked into the first five races of 2012 because the team finished 13th in points last season, while Clint Bowyer was the driver. Bowyer left in the offseason to join Michael Waltrip Racing.

Harvick, Mears To Swap Crews, Chiefs

Michael J Smith — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:54:35 +0000

Richard Childress Racing will swap the crews and chiefs of Kevin Harvick and the no. 29 and Casey Mears and the No. 07 in an effort to improve performance.

The switch is expected to be made after this weekend’s Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway.

Todd Berrier will move from the No. 29, where he served as Harvick’s crew chief for five years, to Mears and the No. 07.

Gil Martin will move to Harvick’s team. Martin was the crew chief for Clint Bowyer where he made two consecutive Chase appearances.

One of the reasons Mears never performed up to expectations at Hendrick Motorsports was that he never established a relationship with a crew chief because they were bounced around to and from his team.

I hope that’s not happening at RCR. I hope he gets in a season or two with Berrier to see what this kid actually has got.

Labonte To Get New Crew Chief

Yates Racing is also giving Hall Of Fame Racing driver Bobby Labonte a new crew cheif.

Ben Leslie, former crew cheif of Yates’ No. 28 and driver Travis Kvapil, is moving over to the team.

The No. 28 team was performing pretty well, before having to close its doors due to lack of sponsorship.

Current crew cheif Todd Parrott will move to another role within the organization, working with all Yates teams.

Labonte said:

I’m looking forward to working with Ben. He’s done a lot with Ford Racing specifically and I like that he has experience with many Champion drivers. I’m excited to see what we will do together on the track in the next few weeks.

Also, a crew cheif swap was discussed at Hendrick Motorsports.

I guess spring is the season of change.