It hasn’t been an easy season for Jimmie Johnson and the number 48 Ally Financial Chevrolet Team this season. So with five races to go, Hendrick Motorsports announced that Cliff Daniels would be the new crew chief for Johnson starting this week at Watkins Glen. Daniels replaces Kevin Meddering who replaced Johnson’s longtime Crew Chief Chad Knaus at the beginning of the 2019 season. Meddering will move to a senior competition role with Hendrick Motorsports.
Daniels (31) is very familiar with the 48 team as he served as Johnson’s Race Engineer from 2015-2018. He returned to the team this year at Sonoma.
“We have great confidence in Cliff’s ability to win races with Jimmie and the team,” said Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick. “He’s a natural leader and tremendously talented from both a technical and communication standpoint. Cliff’s familiarity with Jimmie and the No. 48 team culture will benefit us a ton. He will bring the spark that’s been our missing ingredient,” Hendrick continued.
Jimmie Johnson currently has one pole this season along with 8 top 10 finishes with three of those being in the top 5. He is currently 17th in points and 12 points below the playoff cut-line and has a great working relationship with Daniels. “Cliff has shined since he came back to the ‘48,’” Johnson said. “When he returned, there was an immediate change in the team dynamic that all of us felt. We’ve worked together for a long time, and have a ton of mutual respect and a shared vision. I have no doubt the strong connection and working relationship is going to pay dividends right away,” Johnson added.
As for Daniels, he’s getting ready to go for this weekend’s race in Watkins Glen. He is trying to get Johnson into the playoffs for a 16th consecutive year to compete for Johnson’s 8th title. “We have an opportunity to win an eighth championship and a lot more races with Jimmie,” Daniels said. “I’m proud to be in this position and have total faith in the team and our ability to perform at the level everyone expects. We have the best driver, the best organization, and the best leadership, so everything we need to be successful is in place. It’s always been my goal to become a crew chief, and I’m thankful to Mr. Hendrick for his confidence.”
Catch Johnson in his Ally Financial Chevrolet when the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads to Watkins Glen this weekend. Coverage begins at 4 PM Eastern on Sunday, August 4th on NBC.