Tony Gibson, Bobby Hutchens to leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. for Stewart-Haas Racing
Stewart-Haas Racing announced Friday that Bobby Hutchens will serve as director of competition for the two-car team and named Tony Gibson to be Ryan Newman's crew chief for the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.
Both Hutchens and Gibson worked previously in similar capacities at Dale Earnhardt Inc. Hutchens was vice president of competition at DEI, while Gibson worked as crew chief on the No. 8 DEI entry.
“Stewart-Haas Racing has an incredible amount of potential, and to be an integral part of what we all believe can be a championship-winning organization was an opportunity I could not turn down,” Hutchens said.
“It’s important that a race team’s front office is in sync with what’s happening on the shop floor, and having lived in both worlds, I’m committed to making Stewart-Haas Racing a strong and efficient operation.”
Gibson has been a crew chief at NASCAR's top level since 2002 and has worked with drivers such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Mark Martin, Steve Park and Michael Waltrip.
Gibson also worked as a car chief at Hendrick Motorsports on Jeff Gordon's team from 1998 to 2001 and played an instrumental role in three of Gordon's four Cup championships. Gibson also worked as a car chief on Alan Kulwicki's 1992 Cup championship team and Bill Elliott's 1988 Cup championship team.
“I’ve known Tony [Stewart] a long time and have always respected him as a racer and as a person,” Gibson said. “He understands people, works well with them and genuinely wants to see them succeed. And he’s smart enough to know that their success is also his success. He’s building an impressive race team, and I’m very happy to be a part of it, and I look forward to working with him and Ryan.”
Newman, who will drive the No. 39 Chevrolet, is looking forward to having Gibson calling the shots in the pits for his team.
“Tony [Gibson] and I have talked as much about racing as we have about hunting and fishing,” said the defending Daytona 500 champion. “I feel like we’re already on the same page, so to speak. I’m not sure who’s more excited about next year – him or me.”
