Richard Childress Racing changes crew chiefs on No. 2 and No. 29 Nationwide teams
Richard Childress Racing's Jeff Burton has his No. 29 Chevrolet serviced during the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway earlier this year.
// David Griffin, NASCAR Scene
Richard Childress Racing officials announced changes today to the crew chiefs for its No. 29 and No. 2 NASCAR Nationwide Series teams.
Doug Randolph will assume the crew chief duties for RCR’s No. 29 while Dan Deeringhoff, who led Clint Bowyer to the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship, will move over to lead Austin Dillon’s driver-development program, including races in the No. 2 Nationwide entry.
Former crew chief Rich Lavalette will serve as Dillon’s car chief under Deeringhoff.
Randolph, who began his stock-car racing career in 1984, has been a crew chief in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup and Nationwide series ranks since 2000. He previously worked at Chip Ganassi Racing, ppc Racing, MB2 Motorsports, Petty Enterprises and Dale Earnhardt Inc. Most recently, Randolph served as crew chief for Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing’s No. 8 Chevrolet with driver Aric Almirola.
“This will definitely enhance our Nationwide Series programs,” said Mike Dillon, RCR’s vice president of competition. “We were lucky that a Sprint Cup Series-caliber crew chief like Doug Randolph was available. Our Nationwide Series program has been very successful over the past several seasons, but we felt like it was time for a change to get us back on the right track this year.”
Deeringhoff will turn his attention to Dillon’s Nationwide Series, ARCA RE/MAX Series and NASCAR Camping World East and West series efforts.
The No. 29 car, driven by Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer and Stephen Leicht this season, is currently ninth in the Nationwide owners standings and has two top-five and six top-10 finishes to its credit with 25 races remaining on the 2009 schedule.
“RCR has had so much success in the Nationwide Series and I’m honored to be a part of this organization," Randolph said. "There are few challenges we need to overcome in order to get the No. 29 back to championship form, but the team is not far off. The challenges are what make our jobs exciting. I’m looking forward to next weekend in Charlotte.”
Deeringhoff’s transition will bring him back to the No. 2 Chevrolet. The Walla Walla, Wash., native’s new assignment will take full effect following this weekend’s NASCAR Camping World East/West Challenge at Iowa Speedway. Dillon’s next scheduled Nationwide event will be at Kentucky Speedway in June.
“I am all in for the changes that were made,” Deeringhoff said. “To be able to bring in a talent like Doug will do nothing but help this organization. He’s been around the sport for a long time and his knowledge will really help all of our efforts in the Nationwide shop.
"I’m especially excited to be working with Austin. He is a talented young driver and I hope that with my experience and his eagerness to learn, we can be successful.”
