A week after losing his post atop the pit box of Roush Fenway Racing’s No. 16 team, Greg Erwin has been named the crew chief for Richard Petty Motorsports No. 43 car, driven by AJ Allmendinger.
NASCAR News: Greg Erwin Replaces Mike Shiplett As No. 43 Crew Chief At Richard Petty Motorsports
The No. 43 team is currently 16th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings and battling for a Chase spot at the end of the year. Failing to capitalize on strong cars throughout the year, the team has decided to make a change.
“Mike and I have been together for a long time, so from a personal standpoint this is difficult for me,” Allmendinger said. “We’ve worked really well together and I think our personalities really complemented each other. Mike and I both came into this year really committed to working on our weaker areas. I know we both tried our best to be better and communicate better - I couldn’t have asked for either of us to try any harder. Sometimes though, you need to take a step back and have a new perspective or new set of eyes look at things to move to the next level.
“Greg Erwin is a really talented crew chief and we’re lucky to have him come on board with us,” he said. “He has had a lot of success, brings a fresh perspective and has shown he knows exactly what it takes to win. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do together and taking the team to that next level.”
Taking the role as Greg Biffle’s crew chief in 2007, Erwin helped take Biffle to the next, earning five wins, 36 top-fives and 66 top-10s, qualifying for the Chase three years. When the No. 16 team struggled this season, Roush Fenway saw the need to shuffle things around. That left Erwin as the odd man out at Roush Fenway Racing and led to this new opportunity.
“When one door closes, another one opens and this is great example of that,” said Erwin. “I couldn’t be happier to have found a new home at Richard Petty Motorsports. To work with Richard Petty and lead the iconic No. 43 team is a great opportunity for me. AJ Allmendinger has shown that he has a great deal of talent and I’m excited to have the chance to get the No. 43 team back to victory lane.”
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