Chad Knaus will crew chief for William Byron in 2019

Hendrick Motorsports announces changes for the 2019 NASCAR season

Rick Hendrick: “It’s no secret that Chad and Jimmie have experienced their ups and downs over the years.”

Jimmie Johnson currently does not have a sponsor for the 2019 NASCAR season. However, Rick Hendrick stated earlier in the week that has expects to have a sponsor announcement in the next month or so.

Here’s an announcement I didn’t see coming…

Now, Johnson will have a new crew chief as well. Long time crew chief for the #48, Chad Knaus will move over to the #24 with young gun William Byron.

Read the announcement from Hendrick Motorsports below:

Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus
Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus (Photo: Hendrick Motorsports)

Hendrick Motorsports announcement

CONCORD, N.C. – Hendrick Motorsports has named new crew chiefs for the organization’s Nos. 24 and 48 NASCAR Cup Series teams, effective at the conclusion of the 2018 racing season.

The assignments represent new roles for veterans Chad Knaus and Darian Grubb, along with the return to Hendrick Motorsports of Kevin Meendering. The responsibilities for 2019 include:

-Knaus will become crew chief for William Byron and the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 team with its respective personnel. He currently leads the No. 48 team of Jimmie Johnson.

-Meendering will become crew chief for Johnson and the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 team with its respective personnel. He is currently crew chief of NASCAR Xfinity Series playoff contender Elliott Sadler.

-Grubb will be promoted to technical director, an executive leadership role supporting Hendrick Motorsports’ engineering and vehicle development resources. He is currently crew chief of the No. 24 team with Byron.

“Chad and Jimmie will go down as one of the greatest combinations in sports history,” Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick said. “They defied the odds by performing at a championship level for longer than anyone could’ve possibly imagined. What they’ve accomplished together has been absolutely remarkable and will be celebrated for generations. This has been an incredible, storybook run.”

Rick Hendrick, Alex Bowman and Jimmie Johnson at Richmond Raceway
RICHMOND, VA – SEPTEMBER 22: Alex Bowman, driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, and Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s for Pros Chevrolet, talk with owner Rick Hendrick on the grid prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway on September 22, 2018 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)

The 47-year-old Knaus will complete his 17th season as crew chief for Johnson and the No. 48 team, representing the longest-running crew chief-driver relationship in NASCAR. The pair has won a record-tying seven NASCAR Cup championships together and this season competed in the series playoffs for a record 15th time.

“It’s no secret that Chad and Jimmie have experienced their ups and downs over the years,” Hendrick said. “They’re fierce competitors, great friends and have immense respect for one another. They also fight like brothers. All three of us agree it’s finally time for new challenges and that a change will benefit them and the organization.”

Knaus will return to the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team he originally joined 25 years ago. From 1993 to 1998, the Rockford, Illinois, native assumed a variety of duties under the direction of crew chief and mentor Ray Evernham. He oversaw body development and served as a tire changer for the No. 24 team, proving to be an integral part of driver Jeff Gordon’s 1995 and 1997 Cup titles.

“You can’t quantify how much Chad’s leadership and championship experience will benefit William, who is a special talent,” Hendrick said. “The two of them are a great match, and I’m excited to see what they can do together. Chad has the Rainbow Warriors pedigree and truly appreciates the history of the No. 24. I’ve asked him to build another winner and given him the green light to put his stamp on the team and do it his way.”

Jimmie Johnson and Michael McDowell at Watkins Glen International
WATKINS GLEN, NY – AUGUST 05: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s for Pros Chevrolet, and Michael McDowell, driver of the #34 K-LOVE RADIO Ford, lead a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series GoBowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 5, 2018 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

Meendering, 37, oversees Sadler’s team for Hendrick Motorsports affiliate JR Motorsports. In three seasons as an Xfinity Series crew chief, the Grand Rapids, Michigan, native has led the veteran driver to three wins, 38 top-five finishes, 75 top-10s and the 2017 regular season title.

Before joining JRM, Meendering spent 16 years at Hendrick Motorsports beginning with a high-school internship in the chassis department. In 2008, he was named assistant engineer for the No. 24 team with Gordon and in 2011 became lead engineer for the No. 88 team of Dale Earnhardt Jr. He holds a mechanical engineering degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

“Over the last couple of years, he’s been one of the most sought-after talents in the garage,” Hendrick said of Meendering. “Kevin is an impressive person who came up in our organization and will hit the ground running on day one.”

“We already know how well he works with our people and that he’s a respected, forward-thinking crew chief. Having worked with a veteran driver like Elliott Sadler for three years is extremely valuable experience. He’s the right fit for Jimmie at the right time. With an established No. 48 team behind them, I believe they will perform at a winning level next season and chase that eighth championship.”

William Byron - Jeff Gordon throwback for Darlington Raceway
#24: William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro AXALTA Throwback

Grubb, 43, will finish the season as crew chief for the No. 24 team with Byron, who leads the 2018 Cup Series rookie of the year standings. The Floyd, Virginia, native served in a variety of technical roles with Hendrick Motorsports from 2003-2008, including race engineer, engineering manager and crew chief.

“Darian has established himself as a respected leader in our company, and we’ve seen him thrive in an executive role,” Hendrick said. “We’ve identified opportunities for improvement, and we know having him step up to technical director will help move us forward in those areas. He’s a champion who brings a wealth of knowledge that will continue to benefit us.”

After stints at Joe Gibbs Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing, where he won a Cup title as crew chief for Tony Stewart, Grubb returned to Hendrick Motorsports in January 2016 as vehicle production director. He was promoted to director of competition systems in August 2017 before being named crew chief of the No. 24 team. Grubb holds a mechanical engineering degree from Virginia Tech.

“We believe these decisions will provide us with a tremendous opportunity for success in the future,” Hendrick said. “As an organization, we are here to win races and compete for championships. Everything we do comes down to putting our people in the best possible positions to further that objective.

“Winning is what it’s all about.”

Chase Elliott and Jimmie Johnson in the NASCAR garage
LONG POND, PA – JUNE 01: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, and Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s for Pros Chevrolet, talk in the garage during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway on June 1, 2018 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
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