The search for a new crew chief for Michael McDowell and the No. 34 team is on for Front Row Motorsports, as the team announced on Friday that the veteran crew chief informed the team that he was stepping down to pursue other options.
Team owner Bob Jenkins released a statement:
“Drew helped lead the No. 34 team to new heights since coming to Front Row Motorsports, highlighted by winning the Daytona 500. We are now in the process of securing the next leader in our organization to continue the solid foundation that has been built. That process has begun, and we will move quickly. We wish Drew the best in his next endeavors.”
Blickensderfer and McDowell won the season-opening Daytona 500 in 2021 to secure their place in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs field. After a solid start to the season, the team flamed out in the Playoffs and finished 16th-overall in the Championship standings.
In a career that spans 13-years as a NASCAR Cup Series crew chief, Blickensderfer, 45, has scored four wins from atop the pit box.
On November 30th, when announcing their 2022 NASCAR driver stable, Front Row Motorsports confirmed Blickensderfer as the crew chief for the No. 34 car again in 2022. But that ultimately did not come to fruition.