GMS Racing has officially announced the crew chief pairings for their two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams for the 2022 season.
Grant Enfinger, who will drive the No. 23 entry for the team, will have Charles Denike atop the pit box.
Denike, who has two career victories as a crew chief in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, served as the crew chief for Tyler Ankrum at GMS Racing a season ago. While 2021 ended in a disappointing 15th-place ranking in the point standings, Denike is ready to hit the ground running with Enfinger in 2022.
“The 2022 race season is a great opportunity for Grant and I, and we both plan to make the most of it,” Denike said in a team release. “We have assembled a new team and the energy is high. We have the common goal to return to victory lane and contend for the championship at Phoenix Raceway at the end of the season. With the great support from Champion Power Equipment behind our team, I feel that we are more ready than ever to chase after our goals.”
Denike won two races in 2020, one with Chase Elliott and one with Sam Mayer, while serving as the crew chief for GMS Racing’s all-star No. 24 entry.
Rookie of the Year contender, Jack Wood, will have Tom Ackerman calling the shots for his No. 24 team in 2022. For Ackerman, he understands how critical this year is for Wood’s growth as a driver, and he feels he’s up for the challenge.
“This year is going to be one of the most crucial years of Jack Wood’s young career,” Ackerman explained. “I am excited to work with him in his first full season, and am especially looking forward to returning to some of the tracks that he raced at for our team last year. Jack is young and hungry, and it is going to be a fun opportunity to see what he is capable of with the additional track time in practice and qualifying sessions. I believe that we have a shot to contend for some solid finishes throughout the season.”
Ackerman, who has been a member of the GMS Racing team for years, last served as a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series crew chief in 2007, as he scored his lone win as a crew chief with Dennis Setzer behind the wheel.
In 2011, Ackerman also had 11 starts as a NASCAR Cup Series crew chief with Germain Racing.