After an extremely successful rookie campaign as a NASCAR Xfinity Series crew chief, Tyler Allen is being promoted to the NASCAR Cup Series. The native of Bellevue, Washington will call the shots for Ty Gibbs and the No. 54 team in 2025.
Allen made his debut atop the pit box last season, working in the NASCAR Xfinity Series as the shot-caller for the No. 20 Toyota GR Supra — which collected eight victories, 17 top-fives, and 22 top-10s, and finished second in the Owner’s Championship.
Before his rookie campaign as a crew chief, Allen spent seven seasons working alongside veteran crew chief Adam Stevens as a race engineer. During that time, Allen was part of the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series championship for Kyle Busch and five Championship 4 appearances — between Busch and Christopher Bell.
“It’s an honor to be named crew chief for Ty Gibbs and the 54 Team as we head into the 2025 season,” said Allen. “This opportunity has been a dream of mine since starting here at JGR 10 years ago, and I’m thankful for the support and guidance I’ve received from my mentors, teammates, and everyone along the way. Ty has shown a lot of speed and potential the last two years, and I look forward to building on that experience to get the 54 car in victory lane.”
Allen takes over as crew chief of the No. 54 Toyota Camry XSE from veteran shot-caller Chris Gayle, who will jump over to Denny Hamlin and the No. 11 team, after Joe Gibbs Racing made a competition shakeup, announced on November 22.
Those changes have triggered a series of events where Allen, originally scheduled to serve as crew chief for Taylor Gray in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, will jump to the NASCAR Cup Series. Jason Ratcliff, a 57-time-winning crew chief in the second-tier series, will be working with Gray instead.
“I’m thrilled to join Taylor and the 54 team for the 2025 season,” said Ratcliff. “After a year away from the track, I’m eager to return to the pit box every weekend. Taylor has the talent and determination to excel in NASCAR, and it’s our mission to help him achieve that success.”
Ratcliff has spent time as a crew chief in both the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series, which has resulted in 72 total wins — 57 in Xfinity and 15 in Cup — as well as the 2009 Xfinity Series title with Kyle Busch.
“We take a lot of pride in our Xfinity Series program and the depth of talent that we have been able to maintain,” said Joe Gibbs, owner and founder of Joe Gibbs Racing. “Tyler Allen was successful at the Cup level with us while working under Adam Stevens and was impressive last season in the Xfinity Series leading that 20 team to eight wins while working with a number of different drivers. We have an exciting young and talented team on the 54 car.
“It is also exciting to have Jason Ratcliff back on the pit box in the Xfinity Series to work with Taylor Gray next season,” added Gibbs. “He has contributed so much to our organization over his career.”
