Addington joins Stewart-Haas

Steve Adddington, who resigned as crew chief on the No. 22 team of Penske Racing and driver Kurt Busch last week, was announced as the new crew chief on the No. 14 team of Stewart-Haas Racing for that organization’s co-owner and driver Tony Stewart.

Addington replaces Darian Grubb, who was released as crew chief of the No. 14 team soon after Stewart claimed his third NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title last weekend. Grubb had been crew chief on the No. 14 team since the beginning of Stewart-Haas Racing prior to the start of the 2009 race season.

“I know Steve well, and I know how he goes about setting up a race car,” Stewart said. “My comfort level with him is already strong. He balances the technical part of our sport with the real-world experiences we get at the track, and that will allow for a smooth transition as we prepare to defend our title in 2012.”

Before working as crew chief at Penske Racing, Addington was a crew chief at Joe Gibbs Racing, the team Stewart called home from the start of his Cup career in 1999 until he became a team owner to start 2009. Addington wasn’t Stewart’s crew chief, though. Instead, Addington worked with drivers including Bobby Labonte, J.J. Yeley and Kyle Busch while at JGR.

“Tony and I are a lot alike, and we’re able to push each other,” Addington said. “I saw how he worked when we were at Gibbs together, and I’m not surprised at all at the success he’s created at Stewart-Haas Racing. He expects a lot, and he knows a lot. His talent behind the wheel is obvious, but his ability to motivate and get everyone to believe that whatever goal they set is attainable is something every crew chief wants, and I plan to make the most of it.”

Through his time at JGR and Penske, Addington has 16 races as a crew chief to his credit.

To be notified when new articles are posted, follow me on Twitter @NASCARexaminer, like NASCAR Examiner on Facebook or follow RacingMedia on Digg.

Photo of Steve Addington courtesy of NASCAR Media