Darian Grubb to Hendrick Motorsports in 2016 – Moving from Joe Gibbs Racing
Darian Grubb to Hendrick Motorsports in 2016. Hendrick Motorsports announced Monday that it has named former Joe Gibbs Racing crew chief Darian Grubb as its vehicle production director.
The 40-year-old Darian Grubb to and “will oversee every aspect of race car manufacturing” in the newly created role, according to a release provided by the Hendrick organization. Grubb will work alongside vehicle technical director Kenny Francis, another former crew chief, to spearhead production and engineering for Hendrick Motorsports’ four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams.
The hiring also reunites Grubb with the Concord, North Carolina-based operation, where he worked in various engineering and crew chief roles from 2003-08.
“It means a lot to come back to Hendrick Motorsports,” said Grubb, a Floyd, Virginia native. “This is a role that will allow me to contribute to the success of the entire organization, which was very important to me. Kenny is someone I greatly respect, so the chance to work side-by-side with him was a big factor. Everything is familiar, and I think that will make for a smooth transition.
“The more we talked about the opportunity, the more it felt right. I’m ready to get started.”
Joe Gibbs Racing said in a Dec. 21 news release that Grubb was “currently exploring several opportunities” as it unveiled its 2016 crew chief lineup. It ended a four-year tenure at JGR, where Grubb paired with drivers Denny Hamlin (2012-14) andCarl Edwards (2015), combining for nine Sprint Cup victories in his time there.
Grubb began his stock-car racing career with team owner Richard Petty, shortly after graduating from Virginia Tech with a mechanical engineering degree. After three years as lead engineer for the No. 48 Chevrolet and Jimmie Johnson, then an up-and-coming star, Grubb made his biggest splash in his debut atop the pit box, helping guide Johnson to a victory in the 2006 Daytona 500 as interim crew chief while Chad Knaus served a four-race suspension.
After notching two more premier-series wins and filling other engineering roles, Grubb departed Hendrick to serve as crew chief for Tony Stewart and the newly formed Stewart-Haas Racing in 2009. That prolific pairing netted 11 victories over three seasons, culminating in Stewart’s third Sprint Cup championship in 2011.
Source: NASCAR
