Drew Blickensderfer takes over as crew chief for Carl Edwards in Nationwide Series
After being replaced last week by Todd Parrott as Matt Kenseth's crew chief in the Sprint Cup Series, Drew Blickensderfer will now be reunited with Roush Fenway Racing's Carl Edwards in the Nationwide Series.
// Jim Fluharty, NASCAR Illustrated
Drew Blickensderfer, replaced last week as the Sprint Cup Series crew chief for Matt Kenseth, will take over as crew chief of the Carl Edwards No. 60 car in the Nationwide Series, Roush Fenway Racing officials announced today.
Blickensderfer replaces Mike Kelley, who will become the competition director for Roush Fenway’s four-car Nationwide Series effort. Kelley replaces Mike Beam, who will move into the role of speedway specialist (formerly held by Todd Parrott, now Kenseth’s Cup crew chief) in the Roush Fenway research and development department.
Edwards and Blickensderfer worked together for 19 races – winning seven – in the Nationwide Series in 2008. Blickensderfer also has experience with NASCAR’s new generation Cup car that is very similar to the new Nationwide car being introduced for four races in 2010.
“Drew is a wonderful team builder,” said team co-owner owner Jack Roush. “He will bring car-of-tomorrow experience to the Nationwide shop. Carl and Drew have a strong track record together.”
Kelley, who was the car chief for Kurt Busch's Cup championship run in 2004, has worked as a crew chief in Roush Fenway’s Nationwide program since 2006, leading drivers Todd Kluever, David Ragan and Edwards.
“Mike Kelley is a fierce competitor and a very loyal employee,” Roush said. “This is a great promotion for him. We will look forward to watching him continue to grow.”
Beam, a 30-year NASCAR veteran, will work closely with Jimmy Fennig in the research and development department.
