RICHMOND, Va. – In a prompt announcement Friday morning, Richard Childress Racing announced that Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon will have a new crew chief, but seemingly just for Sunday’s Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway.
Team executive Sammy Johns will lead Dillon’s No. 3 Chevrolet for the ninth Cup Series race of the season.
Slugger Labbe, who has been Dillon’s crew chief since midway through the 2015 season, will remain at the team’s shop in Welcome, North Carolina, to prepare the No. 3 car for next Sunday’s GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.
Asked whether Labbe would return at Talladega Superspeedway next week, a Richard Childress Racing spokesperson told CATCHFENCE.com, “Slugger is not here this weekend.”
As a crew chief in the pinnacle series of NASCAR, Labbe, has led 498 races, won five races, posted 39 top-five and 109 top-10 finishes. With Dillon, Labbe has achieved five top-five and 14 top-10 finishes with the 2013 NASCAR XFINITY Series champion.
Here is the official statement from Richard Childress Racing:
“Operations Director Sammy Johns will replace Slugger Labbe as the crew chief on the RCR No. 3 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Chevrolet this weekend at Richmond International Raceway. Labbe will remain at the RCR shop to work on cars for next weekend’s race at Talladega Superspeedway.”
Shortly after the statement, NASCAR announced that the No. 3 team would be penalized 30 minutes of practice, loss of their pit stall selection and will start at the rear of the field for Sunday’s race after failing pre-race inspection five times last weekend at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.
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