CONCORD, N.C. – JTG Daugherty Racing competition director Ernie Cope has assumed the role as crew chief of the No. 47 Chevrolet for driver AJ Allmendinger in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, effective immediately.
Former crew chief Randall Burnett, who was recruited for the position following the 2015 season will be reassigned with the organization.
Cope, 47, rejoined JTGD prior to the 2016 season as competition director. He returned to the company after guiding Chase Elliott to the 2014 NASCAR XFINITY Series championship at JR Motorsports.
In 41 races as a crew chief in Cup, Cope, a native of Tacoma, Wash. has two top-10 finishes with a best effort of sixth last April at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.
Cope, a former NASCAR driver transitioned to the crew side following his retirement in 1995. Following opportunities with Geoff Bodine Racing with driver Tammy Jo Kirk, Robert Yates Racing and Wood Brothers / JTG Racing, he landed as crew chief at Kevin Harvick Inc. in 2008.
Following the absorption of KHI in 2012 to Richard Childress Racing, Cope was crew chief for several different drivers before linking with JRM in the fall of 2013.
Currently 30th in the Cup Series standings, Allmendinger lone top-five result came in the season-opening Daytona 500, where he led his only laps (two) in the first 11 races of the year. He has an additional top-10 finish (sixth) at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway in April.
Despite being winless, Allmendinger finished 19th in the Cup standings last year in his third full season with JTGD.
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