NASCAR Rumors: Joe Gibbs Racing Makes Crew Chief Changes

By Jude Abastar, Christian Post Contributor Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Joe Gibbs Racing produced an incredible season in 2015, highlighted by Kyle Busch's first-ever NASCAR Sprint Series win, as well as the fact that all the four drivers for the team qualified for this year's Chase for the Sprint Cup. Those two achievements are the kind of stuff that every racing team in NASCAR strives to achieve every season.

But in spite of overall success of the JGR, the team announced that they have initiated crew chief changes for 2016, a move that is seen as intended to improve the chances of repeating this year's success.

Team representatives announced on Monday that Dave Rogers will be moving to the No. 19 car of Carl Edwards after fulfilling his crew chief duties for Denny Hamlin last year. On the other hand, Mike Wheeler will be assuming Rogers' previous crew chief responsibilities for Hamlin's No. 11. Prior this reappointment, Wheeler was the crew chief for the team's No. 20 XFINITY Series car.

Those changes may have been brought by the need to improve both drivers' results, with Edwards finishing fifth the last time out, while Hamlin grabbing the ninth spot.

Meanwhile, Jason Ratcliff will remain as Math Kenseth's crew chief, as well as Adam Stevens for the champion, Kyle Busch.

While it seems like the changes weren't really needed considering that Hamlin and Edwards finished the year in the top 10, the thing is JGR simply wants every driver in its team to be able to have the best chance to win and grab the championship next season. Obviously, they both come with the right package and reputation to win it all, perhaps the only lacking piece is the right crew chief.

Joe Gibbs talked about the success they had this year. "2015 was probably the strongest season we have ever had at Joe Gibbs Racing. We won more races than we ever have, qualified all four team into the Chase and were blessed to end it with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship," the team owner said.

But then again, he reiterated and defended his move of making crucial crew chief changes, saying that it is for the best interest of all.