Team Penske Announces Crew Chief Swap: In a big move, Team Penske revealed that the No. 2 Ford team driven by Austin Cindric and the No. 21 Ford team driven by Wood Brothers Racing will switch crew chiefs. Both teams are struggling in the 2023 Cup. Cindric, 24, will now have Brian Wilson as crew chief. Jeremy Bullins will lead Burton’s No. 21 Ford crew for the Wood Brothers. Darlington (S.C.) Raceway will host the first race with the new regulation this weekend.
The strategic shift aims to strengthen both teams, as neither made the 2023 Cup playoffs. Cindric won the 2022 Daytona 500 and is 22nd in series points. He has only finished in the top 10 three times in 26 races this season. Three sixth-place finishes at Las Vegas, Circuit of the Americas, and Chicago Street Course. However, 22-year-old Burton is 30th in the series. He has only two top-10 wins, including a spring Darlington sixth.
Brian Wilson will lead Cindric’s team. Penske has employed him for 20 years. He and Cindric worked effectively in ARCA Menards and Xfinity. They won 13 races, including the 2020 Xfinity series. Working together is expected to revive the competitive spirit that helped them win.
Jeremy Bullins returns to the Wood Brothers after playing with them. When driving the No. 21 Ford, Ryan Blaney was crew chief. Blaney won the 2017 Wood Brothers 99th Cup at Pocono under Bullins. The No. 21 Ford squad expects his knowledge will help them win races after he takes over Burton’s team.
The Wood Brothers’ technical cooperation with Team Penske makes the option critical. A Team Penske spokeswoman commented, “Changing crew chiefs mid-season is not an easy decision, but we think this move gives both teams a fresh perspective and new dynamics that will help improve performance as we head into the second half of the season.”
With this news, both teams hope to recover from a bad first half. The teams are hopeful that the new crew chief plans would boost their cars’ performance at Darlington Raceway and put them back in the running for next season if not this one. As part of its evolution, Team Penske combines talent and knowledge for the best results. It is unclear if the crew chief changes will help both teams turn their seasons around.
Our Reader’s Queries
Who is Austin Cindric crew chief?
Meet Brian Wilson, the longest-tenured active road crew member at Team Penske. In 2023, he takes on a new role as crew chief for the No. 2 Ford Mustang team, reuniting with driver Austin Cindric. Wilson’s expertise and experience make him the perfect fit to lead the team for the remainder of the NASCAR Cup Series season and into 2024.
How much does a crew chief make in Nascar?
The Crew Chief is the highest paid member of a pit crew, earning a salary of approximately $10,000 per race, in addition to various bonuses. With the potential to earn over a million dollars annually, the role of a Crew Chief is highly coveted.
Who is Kyle Larson crew chief?
Meet Clifton Oliver Daniels, a skilled crew chief who currently serves at Hendrick Motorsports. He is responsible for leading the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 team in the NASCAR Cup Series, with Kyle Larson behind the wheel. With years of experience under his belt, Daniels is a valuable asset to the team and plays a crucial role in ensuring their success on the track.
Who are the crew chiefs for the Wood Brothers?
On Monday, Team Penske and Wood Brothers Racing made an announcement regarding their NASCAR Cup Series teams. They have decided to swap crew chiefs, with Jeremy Bullins moving from Penske’s No. 2 Ford and driver Austin Cindric to work with Harrison Burton and the Wood Brothers’ No. 21 Ford. This change is expected to bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to both teams.
