7-time champ gets new crew chief
Johnson team change for NASCAR homestretch
Cliff Daniels has been named the crew chief for seven-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, effective immediately.
Daniels replaces Kevin Meendering and will call his first race as the leader of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team this weekend at Watkins Glen International. He is no stranger to the team, having joined the group in 2014 and been a part of the 2016 Cup Series championship as race engineer. Most recently a member of the HMS competition system, Daniels rejoined the team last month in his former role.
“We have great confidence in Cliff ’s ability to win races with Jimmie and the team,” said Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick. “He’s a natural leader and tremendously talented from both a technical and communication standpoint. Cliff ’s familiarity with Jimmie and the No. 48 team culture will benefit us a ton. He will bring the spark that’s been our missing ingredient.”
Said Johnson, “Cliff has really shined since he came back to the 48 . ... There was an immediate change in the team dynamic that all of us felt.”
Meendering had assumed the role of Johnson’s crew chief coming into this year. He will move into a senior competition role within Hendrick.
“I’m so grateful to Kevin,” Johnson said. “I’m looking forward to continuing to work with him in his new role. He’s a brilliant guy and will make all of us better.”
A former late model driver, Daniels has a mechanical engineering degree. Hired by the Xfinity Series team RAB Racing in 2011, Daniels also has experience as race engineer for Tony Stewart (2013, ’14).
“We have an opportunity to win an eighth championship and a lot more races with Jimmie,” Daniels said. “It’s always been my goal to become a crew chief, and I’m thankful to Mr. Hendrick for his confidence.”
Johnson has eight top-10 finishes this year and one pole. Sitting on the outside of the playoff grid, he has five races to overcome a 12-point deficit. He has been winless since June 2017.