Dave Elenz will join Richard Petty Motorsports ahead of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season, to serve as crew chief on Erik Jones’ No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro, the organization officially announced on Wednesday.
As a crew chief in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Elenz has recorded 15 victories, 77 top-five finishes and 149 top-10 finishes, all of which amassed in back-to-back championships in the second-tier series with William Byron and Tyler Reddick in 2017 and 2018.
“In 2001, when I started in NASCAR, my goal was to contend for a NASCAR Cup Series championship-title as a crew chief,” Elenz said. “The past seven years at JR Motorsports have prepared me for the next chapter in my career. Working with champion-caliber drivers like William (Byron), Tyler (Reddick), and Noah (Gragson) has not only fueled my desire to move up to the next level but has also prepared me to the fullest for that next step.
“I appreciate Noah’s support and encouragement on this decision. I have immense gratitude for everyone at JR Motorsports and Hendrick Motorsports and their continued support over the years. I cannot thank them enough. I am excited to start my next chapter with Erik (Jones) and Richard Petty Motorsports.”
After seven years of experience in the second-tier series, five of which have been spent with JR Motorsports, Elenz will embark on his first full season as a crew chief at NASCAR’s top-level, and with one of the sport’s most historic organizations.
The 40-year-old’s career in NASCAR began over two decades ago, working with Jasper Racing in 2001. From there, Elenz held tenure at Ginn Racing from 2003 to 2007, before moving to Red Bull Racing from 2009 to 2011, where he was part of the team’s first career victory at Michigan in 2009, serving as a lead race engineer.
The 40-year-old’s tenure in NASCAR began over two decades ago when he joined Jasper Racing in 2001. Holding tenure at Ginn Motorsports from 2003 to 2007, and Red Bull Racing from 2009 to 2011, Elenz was part of some special moments, including Red Bull Racing’s first Cup victory at Michigan, where the now crew chief was serving as a race engineer.
In 2012, Elenz joined Hendrick Motorsports to work alongside Chad Knaus, serving as an engineer on Jimmie Johnson’s No 48 when he won the NASCAR Cup Series title in 2013. In 2015, he migrated to the Xfinity Series to serve as a crew chief for JR Motorsports.
“I have watched Dave’s career develop, and I have always been impressed with him as a person and as a competitor,” Philippe Lopez, competition director for Richard Petty Motorsports, said. “As a race engineer, he has won races and a championship in the NASCAR Cup Series, and as a crew chief, he has won races and championships in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with a very diverse group of drivers. I am very excited to have him take on the role as crew chief for Richard Petty Motorsports as we roll out the Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for the 2022 season.”
The 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season will begin on February 6th in Los Angeles, California for the Busch Light Clash, before the drivers and teams of the NASCAR Cup Series head to Daytona International Speedway for the series’ annual “Speedweeks”.
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