Matt Weber has been appointed as the new Jeremy Clements Racing crew chief for the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, taking on the leadership of the team following years of engineering experience. Weber’s promotion marks a significant move as the organization seeks greater competitiveness in the upcoming season.
Matt Weber’s Journey to Crew Chief
Matt Weber, with an extensive background as an engineer in NASCAR’s National Series, now steps into his first full-time role as a crew chief with Jeremy Clements Racing, also known as JCR. Weber recently spoke on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90, tracing his career path and the challenges faced along the way. During the interview, Weber recounted the ups and downs of his recent years:
“Actually, the last year has been sort of a rollercoaster,”
said Matt Weber, Crew Chief.
“Last year, I started as the engineer for the No. 5 team at Our Motorsports, but we were notified before Dover that they were shutting down,”
Matt Weber explained.
A New Opportunity After Team Closure
After learning that Our Motorsports would discontinue its program, Weber contacted Shane Martin, a representative for Chevrolet in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Through this outreach, he was introduced to Jeremy Clements Racing, a turning point that set his career on a different path. He described his early days with JCR and how his role quickly expanded:
“We just started the Monday after Dover, you know, just helping out however I could,”
Matt Weber, Crew Chief, recalled.
“Doing engineering sessions, sim sessions, helping put the cars together, running parts back-and-forth to Spartanburg (South Carolina, where the Jeremy Clements Racing shop is located), whatever it took. Then, it morphed quickly into a management role,”
Matt Weber elaborated.
From Engineering Support to Pit Box Leader
The 2026 season will be Matt Weber’s first full-time crew chief position in NASCAR’s National Series, but he is not new to the responsibilities of leading a racing team on race day. Weber has called races for FRS Racing, Our Motorsports, and Niece Motorsports. In addition, he brings a proven track record as a crew chief in the ARCA Menards Series, having secured four race wins with organizations like Mason Mitchell Motorsports and Venturini Motorsports.
Jeremy Clements Racing’s Recent Changes and Ambitions
Jeremy Clements Racing is entering a new chapter after using three different crew chiefs in as many seasons. Mark Setzer handled duties in 2024, followed by Kase Kallenbach in 2025, and now Matt Weber taking the helm for 2026. The team is also investing in its competitive future by forming a technical alliance with the Haas Factory Team for its No. 51 Chevrolet, and will now operate out of Haas’s facility in North Carolina. This partnership aims to make JCR a consistent contender for top-10 finishes.
Jeremy Clements: Veteran Driver in Focus
Jeremy Clements, a Spartanburg, South Carolina native, is among the most experienced drivers in NASCAR’s second-tier series, holding 530 starts—a mark that places him behind only Kenny Wallace and Jason Keller in the all-time records. His leadership and persistence have anchored the team for over a decade.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
The upcoming NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season will begin with its season-opener at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 14, at 5:30 PM. Fans can catch the action on The CW, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. With Matt Weber now serving as the Jeremy Clements Racing crew chief, the team is positioned for a fresh start and seeking improved performance in the new season.
