Hendrick manager gets offer to be Stewart crew chief

Schwartz Fan · 08-16-2008

Sources: Hendrick manager gets offer to be Stewart crew chief
By Marty Smith
ESPN.com

BROOKLYN, Mich. -- Darien Grubb, engineering manager for Hendrick Motorsports' Nos. 5 and 88 Chevrolets, is the lead candidate for the crew chief position for Tony Stewart's No. 14 Chevrolet in 2009, sources close to Stewart-Haas Racing told ESPN.com on Saturday.

Grubb, those same sources said, has been offered a contract.

Stewart-Haas officials declined to comment Saturday.

Meanwhile, Grubb, working feverishly to prepare data for Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s No. 88 prior to Happy Hour practice at Michigan International Speedway, neither confirmed nor denied the speculation. Instead, he was focused on the present.

"I'm not thinking about that right now," Grubb said. "I'm very happy at Hendrick [Motorsports], and my thoughts right now are focused fully toward HMS winning its third championship in a row, among any of our three [contending] teams."

If Grubb ultimately opts to accept Stewart-Haas' offer, it would add yet another layer to the Hendrick/Stewart-Haas relationship. SHR will run Hendrick chassis and engines -- as Haas/CNC Racing currently does -- and having an established Hendrick disciple in-house would only increase the crucial line of communication between the two organizations.

Grubb has been an all-star utility man for Hendrick. As lead engineer for Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 team in 2006, Grubb was summoned to sit in for suspended crew chief Chad Knaus for the season's first four races.

During that span, he led the team to two victories -- including the Daytona 500.

Then, at the outset of 2007, Grubb was appointed to direct Casey Mears' No. 25 team, leading Mears to victory in the Coca-Cola 600 by way of a pit call to stay out and test fuel mileage. The Memorial Day Weekend victory is the lone win of Mears' career.

But at season's end, in the wake of HMS' hiring of Earnhardt to drive the No. 88, Grubb moved back to lead engineer to make way for Tony Eury Jr. at the crew chief position.

ESPN - Sources: Hendrick manager gets offer to be Stewart crew chief - Racing

revvinjim · 08-16-2008

I never learned my lesson about not trusting "unconfirmed rumors" from ESPN, so, risking making a fool of myself, once again, I will believe it when I see it.
If it does happen, I could see Grubb as a good team member for Stewart Haas. Having a hard time seeing him as Smoke's crew chief though.

Schwartz Fan · 08-27-2008

Grubb leaving Hendrick at season's end, will be crew chief for Stewart
JIM UTTER
The CharlotteObserver
Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008

Hendrick Motorsports engineering manager Darian Grubb has accepted a position as crew chief for driver Tony Stewart and his No. 14 Chevrolet next season, the Observer and ThatsRacin.com have learned.

Grubb, who works with the Nos. 5 and 88 teams at Hendrick, is expected to remain with that organization for the remainder of this season, sources said Tuesday.

Stewart is leaving Joe Gibbs Racing at the end of the season to take 50 percent ownership in Stewart-Haas Racing, which will field Chevrolets for Stewart and teammate Ryan Newman.

Grubb was not immediately available for comment. A spokesman with Hendrick said the organization does not discuss the contract status of employees. Stewart-Haas Racing officials declined to comment.

Grubb was lead engineer for driver Jimmie Johnson's team in 2006 when he took over the crew chief position on an interim basis when Johnson's regular crew chief, Chad Knaus, was suspended. During his brief tenure, Rubb led the team to two wins, including the Daytona 500 victory.

Last season, Grubb served as crew chief for Hendrick driver Casey Mears and the two earned a victory at the Coca-Cola 600. Grubb moved back into the engineering manager position at the beginning of this season.

Grubb leaving Hendrick at season's end, will be crew chief for Stewart

08-27-2008

I wish Grubb alot of success with his future endeavors.

revvinjim · 08-27-2008

Grubb will be alright, after a few months of racing while they learn to communicate with each other. I was hoping for Dave Rogers, but he is no longer allowed at NASCAR events.

I'm wondering if Borland will be Newman's CC, or if he will remain in a Jimmy Makar type position.

08-16-2008	#1 (permalink)
Schwartz Fan Co-Administrator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The flatlands...Where dirt is for farming, clay is for racin' and asphalt is for gettin there!!! Posts: 10,111	Hendrick manager gets offer to be Stewart crew chief Sources: Hendrick manager gets offer to be Stewart crew chief By Marty Smith ESPN.com BROOKLYN, Mich. -- Darien Grubb, engineering manager for Hendrick Motorsports' Nos. 5 and 88 Chevrolets, is the lead candidate for the crew chief position for Tony Stewart's No. 14 Chevrolet in 2009, sources close to Stewart-Haas Racing told ESPN.com on Saturday. Grubb, those same sources said, has been offered a contract. Stewart-Haas officials declined to comment Saturday. Meanwhile, Grubb, working feverishly to prepare data for Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s No. 88 prior to Happy Hour practice at Michigan International Speedway, neither confirmed nor denied the speculation. Instead, he was focused on the present. "I'm not thinking about that right now," Grubb said. "I'm very happy at Hendrick [Motorsports], and my thoughts right now are focused fully toward HMS winning its third championship in a row, among any of our three [contending] teams." If Grubb ultimately opts to accept Stewart-Haas' offer, it would add yet another layer to the Hendrick/Stewart-Haas relationship. SHR will run Hendrick chassis and engines -- as Haas/CNC Racing currently does -- and having an established Hendrick disciple in-house would only increase the crucial line of communication between the two organizations. Grubb has been an all-star utility man for Hendrick. As lead engineer for Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 team in 2006, Grubb was summoned to sit in for suspended crew chief Chad Knaus for the season's first four races. During that span, he led the team to two victories -- including the Daytona 500. Then, at the outset of 2007, Grubb was appointed to direct Casey Mears' No. 25 team, leading Mears to victory in the Coca-Cola 600 by way of a pit call to stay out and test fuel mileage. The Memorial Day Weekend victory is the lone win of Mears' career. But at season's end, in the wake of HMS' hiring of Earnhardt to drive the No. 88, Grubb moved back to lead engineer to make way for Tony Eury Jr. at the crew chief position. ESPN - Sources: Hendrick manager gets offer to be Stewart crew chief - Racing __________________

08-16-2008	#2 (permalink)
revvinjim Resident Old Fart Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 2,992	I never learned my lesson about not trusting "unconfirmed rumors" from ESPN, so, risking making a fool of myself, once again, I will believe it when I see it. If it does happen, I could see Grubb as a good team member for Stewart Haas. Having a hard time seeing him as Smoke's crew chief though. __________________ Never argue with an idiot--people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

08-27-2008	#3 (permalink)
Schwartz Fan Co-Administrator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The flatlands...Where dirt is for farming, clay is for racin' and asphalt is for gettin there!!! Posts: 10,111	Grubb leaving Hendrick at season's end, will be crew chief for Stewart JIM UTTER The CharlotteObserver Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008 Hendrick Motorsports engineering manager Darian Grubb has accepted a position as crew chief for driver Tony Stewart and his No. 14 Chevrolet next season, the Observer and ThatsRacin.com have learned. Grubb, who works with the Nos. 5 and 88 teams at Hendrick, is expected to remain with that organization for the remainder of this season, sources said Tuesday. Stewart is leaving Joe Gibbs Racing at the end of the season to take 50 percent ownership in Stewart-Haas Racing, which will field Chevrolets for Stewart and teammate Ryan Newman. Grubb was not immediately available for comment. A spokesman with Hendrick said the organization does not discuss the contract status of employees. Stewart-Haas Racing officials declined to comment. Grubb was lead engineer for driver Jimmie Johnson's team in 2006 when he took over the crew chief position on an interim basis when Johnson's regular crew chief, Chad Knaus, was suspended. During his brief tenure, Rubb led the team to two wins, including the Daytona 500 victory. Last season, Grubb served as crew chief for Hendrick driver Casey Mears and the two earned a victory at the Coca-Cola 600. Grubb moved back into the engineering manager position at the beginning of this season. Grubb leaving Hendrick at season's end, will be crew chief for Stewart __________________

08-27-2008	#5 (permalink)
revvinjim Resident Old Fart Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 2,992	Grubb will be alright, after a few months of racing while they learn to communicate with each other. I was hoping for Dave Rogers, but he is no longer allowed at NASCAR events. I'm wondering if Borland will be Newman's CC, or if he will remain in a Jimmy Makar type position. __________________ Never argue with an idiot--people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

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08-27-2008	#4 (permalink)
24n88fan Guest Posts: n/a	I wish Grubb alot of success with his future endeavors.

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