JGR Promotes Lucas to Crew Chief

The No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing entry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series will have Matt Lucas as crew chief in 2012. (Photo: Getty Images)

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – Joe Gibbs Racing has named Matt Lucas crew chief for its No. 18 Toyota in the NASCAR Natiownide Series.

Lucas, who has spent the past two seasons as the race engineer on the "18," replaces Jason Ratcliff, who was named crew chief for JGR’s No. 20 team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series last month.  Lucas’ racing background includes extensive experience as an engineer and mechanic in NASCAR as well as CART and IndyCar racing.

“Matt has done a great job for us the past two years and will provide continuity going into this season,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing.  “We're fortunate to have people like Matt that allow us the opportunity to promote from within.  That team has been one of the best in the Nationwide Series over the past several years and we look forward to building upon that success.”

Prior to joining Joe Gibbs Racing at the start of the 2010 season, Lucas spent four years at Roush Fenway Racing as a Nationwide Series engineer.  As a member of the No. 60 team from 2006-2008, he helped lead Carl Edwards to the 2007 Nationwide Series championship.  In 2009, Lucas worked with the No. 98 car driven by Paul Menard.

Lucas spent five seasons as a race engineer with Penske Racing prior to joining Roush Fenway.  In addition, he's worked with A.J. Foyt Racing in IndyCar and Dan Gurney’s All-American Racers in CART.

“We have a tremendous group of guys on this team," Lucas said.  "We plan to continue to deliver the type of success our sponsors expect and deserve.”