Mike Bumgarner – a long-time crew chief in NASCAR – will be promoted to the role of ‘Director of Competition’ for JR Motorsports at the end of the season, the organization announced on Thursday.
The announcement of a promotion for Bumgarner comes just one week after Ryan Pemberton announced he would be leaving his position with JR Motorsports vacant with immediate effect.
The 47-year-old currently serves as a full-time crew chief for Josh Berry and the No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, having collected a pair of victories this season at Dover and Charlotte.
For Bumgarner, a 27-year veteran f the sport, the newfound role with JR Motorsports will be different, yet somewhat familiar, after working as the organization’s race operations director from 2014 to 2020, overseeing the production and maintenance of the team’s inventory.
“Mike knows JR Motorsports inside and out,” said L.W. Miller, JRM’s director of motorsports. “He’s very well respected in the building and within the garage and has an innate leadership quality that our group can rally around. With his level of experience, competitive focus, and communication skills, it’s a natural transition for him.”
A native of Huntersville, North Carolina, Bumgarner spent 17 years as part of Hendrick Motorsports, before moving to JR Motorsports in 2013. Since 2007, Bumgarner holds 120 starts as a crew chief in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, resulting in seven wins.
“We’ve got such a talented core of people here at JRM, and I’m just really thankful for this opportunity,” said Bumgarner. “I certainly don’t have all the answers, but my goal is to communicate well and give our teams all the support they need so we can keep hanging win banners in the shop.
