Roush Confirms 2013 Crew Chief Change

Edwards has a new pit boss

Roush Fenway Racing made it official today, announcing that veteran crew chief Jimmy Fennig will lead Carl Edwards and the No. 99 Roush Fenway Sprint Cup team in its championship run in 2013. In addition, up and coming crew chief Scott Graves will lead the No. 17 team and defending Nationwide Series Champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. during his rookie campaign next season.



“We are excited about this change on both fronts,” said team owner Jack Roush. “Pairing two highly successful veterans like Carl and Jimmy should be quite a matchup and it is our expectation based on what Jimmy has been able to accomplish with many high profile drivers, that it will provide the spark to get the No. 99 program and Carl back into championship form.

“However, we are particularly excited about teaming up Scott Graves and Ricky. Through his extensive research and development work, Scott has an excellent understanding of the new 2013 body style. In his short time as a crew chief he has demonstrated a cunning knack as a leader on the pit box and he is going to be a great match for Ricky as he makes his move upwards into the Sprint Cup ranks.”

Fennig, one of the most accomplished crew chiefs in NASCAR history, boasts a tenure that includes more than 800 starts and 36 Sprint Cup victories. He led Roush Fenway to the 2004 Sprint Cup Championship and has worked with Hall-of-Fame caliber drivers such as Bobby Allison, Mark Martin and Matt Kenseth during his 30-plus years in racing.

Graves is one of the fastest rising names in the sport, having led Edwards to a Nationwide Series victory in his first race as a crew chief at Watkins Glen earlier this season. He followed that up by leading Billy Johnson to a near victory at Montreal, and Trevor Bayne to a pole at Bristol. It is expected that Graves’ extensive knowledge of the new 2013 body style will be a great asset as Stenhouse makes his bid to become Roush Fenway’s 13th NASCAR rookie of the year winner.