MAJOR NEWS!!

Well, I had a feeling a crew chief change was coming for Dale, but I never knew it would be this much of a change for the whole organization. I'm not just talking about crew chiefs, but according to HMS' website, the 24/48 and 5/88 teams are moving around as well. Read below to find out more.....

Hendrick Motorsports makes personnel adjustments for 2011

CONCORD, N.C. (Nov. 23, 2010) – Hendrick Motorsports has made personnel adjustments in preparation for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, with drivers Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. being teamed with new crew chiefs. Below are the driver-crew chief pairings for each Hendrick Motorsports car, effective immediately: No. 5 Chevrolet Driver: Mark Martin Crew Chief: Lance McGrew No. 24 Chevrolet Driver: Jeff Gordon Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson No. 48 Chevrolet Driver: Jimmie Johnson Crew Chief: Chad Knaus No. 88 Chevrolet Driver: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Crew Chief: Steve Letarte The cars of Martin and four-time Sprint Cup champion Gordon will be fielded out of the same facility, now known as the 5/24 shop. Earnhardt Jr.'s Chevrolets will be prepared out of the renamed 48/88 shop alongside those of five-time and defending Cup champion Jimmie Johnson. "This will improve us as an organization, across the board," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "We had a championship season (in 2010), but we weren't where we wanted and needed to be with all four teams. We've made the right adjustments, and I'm excited to go racing with this lineup."

I personally think that Steve is happy being in the same building as Chad, since that's where he's been since becoming the crew chief for the 24. So JR Nation let's make Steve feel welcome. We know he's gotten the job done with Jeff and I'm certain he will do the same with Dale Jr!