Richard Childress Racing has made a crew chief and engineer change for Austin Dillon ahead of this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway.
Justin Alexander replaces Keith Rodden as crew chief. Alexander and Dillon reunite after working together in 2017 and ’18, as well as 2020 through 2022. All four of Dillon’s Cup Series victories have come with Alexander calling the shots.
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Rodden is moving to an internal role within the organization to “help maximize the capabilities of RCR’s Chevys and provide leadership, coordination and support.” Rodden was paired with Dillon last season. After seven races, Dillon is 28th in the championship standings without a top-10 finish or a lap led.
Joel Keller has been appointed the team’s lead engineer.
“The organizational changes were made to help Richard Childress Racing’s overall NASCAR Cup Series program as we prepare for the rest of the season and locking two teams into the NASCAR Playoffs,” said Andy Petree, executive vice president for RCR. “Justin Alexander and Austin Dillon share a unique chemistry that has proven effective in the past. We want to thank Keith Rodden for his leadership of the No. 3 team and know that the contributions he will continue to make to RCR in his new role will be valuable across the organization.