DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.: In a surprising move on Friday morning, longtime Hendrick Motorsports crew chief Greg Ives announced on social media that he will vacate his current role with driver Alex Bowman following the season-finale at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway in November.
Ives, a native of Bark River, Mich. has been a team leader for the Concord, N.C.-based team since 2015 when he assumed the role from Steve Letarte with driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Ives first tenure with Bowman came during the 2016 season when Earnhardt was sidelined with a concussion and he was named as one of the substitute drivers alongside Jeff Gordon.
When Earnhardt retired at the end of the 2017 Cup Series season, Bowman and Ives were connected again as Bowman would drive the No. 88 full-time beginning with the 2018 season.
“After 17 seasons on the road and making countless memories, I’ve decided to step away as a crew chief at the end of 2022,” Ives social media post said.
“There are many reasons, but the most important one is the chance to focus on my family and spend more time with our kids as they grow up. Leading the No. 48 has been one of the great privileges of my life, and I’m excited to go into the playoffs and chase a championship with Alex and this incredible group of people.”
When Jimmie Johnson retired at the end of the 2020 season, Ives and Bowman’s team was realigned from the No. 88 to the No. 48 and together they have carried the Ally banner ever since.
Leading into Saturday night’s regular season Coke Zero 400 season finale at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Bowman is 11th in points with one win, three top-five and 10 top-10 finishes.
The duo finished a championship-best sixth in 2020.
Although his title will be changing, Ives, 42, indicated he intends to stay with the powerhouse organization in a different capacity.
“I’m also looking forward to the next step in my career, which will be here with my Hendrick Motorsports family,” Ives’ statement added.
“I’ll never have the words to properly express how grateful I am to be able to live out my dream of working in racing or properly thank everyone who has supported me along the way. Thank you for everything.”
Before his transition into the Cup Series, Ives worked for Earnhardt at JR Motorsports where he held the Xfinity Series crew chief for Regan Smith in 2013, winning two races and was paired the following season with Chase Elliott in 2014.
Together, they won three races and capped off the year with the series championship.
In Cup, Ives has 10 wins total including the March victory at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway with Bowman.
He will make his 276th Cup start as crew chief on Saturday night.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
