Blickensderfer heads to RCR
On Monday, Richard Childress Racing announced that Drew Blickensderfer had been hired to serve as crew chief of the No. 31 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team in 2012. The No. 31 car is driven by Jeff Burton.
“I’m excited about the move to RCR and the opportunity to help lead Jeff Burton and the Cat/Wheaties Racing team back into Chase contention,” Blickensderfer said.
Blickensderfer will replace Luke Lambert, who fulfilled crew chiefing duties on the team on an interim basis in the latter half of the 2011 season. According to a press release from RCR, Lambert will take on a new role within the organization.
Blickensderfer comes to RCR from Roush Fenway Racing. In 2011, he worked as crew chief on the No. 6 team with driver David Ragan at RFR, and the two visited victory lane at Daytona International Speedway in July. He also won at Daytona the year prior, claiming the 2009 Daytona 500 victory with Matt Kenseth as driver.
“Drew is a strong leader and will be a great complement to the Caterpillar/Wheaties Racing team,” car owner Richard Childress said. “He’s won some big races, including the 2009 Daytona 500, his first race as a Sprint Cup Series crew chief. There’s every reason to believe the combination of Jeff and Drew will be a successful one.”
Burton made the 12-man Chase for the Sprint Cup field in 2012 but ended up 20th in points in 2011.
Before joining Richard Childress Racing to drive the No. 31 car, Burton was also with the Roush Fenway organization.
“I was around Jeff briefly at RFR and always admired and liked him,” Blickensderfer said. “He’s a very talented driver, and I look forward to working with him and the rest of the No. 31 team in 2012.”
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Photo of Drew Blickensderfer courtesy of NASCAR Media
