WELCOME, N.C. (July 25, 2011)- Luke Lambert has been named interim crew chief for Richard Childress Racing’s No. 31 Caterpillar/Chevrolet team with driver Jeff Burton in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Lambert replaces veteran crew chief Todd Berrier.
“Todd has been an important part of RCR’s success for many years,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “He is still employed and under contract and his role with RCR will be determined in the near future.” Berrier has been an RCR employee since 1994.
This will be Lambert’s first stint as a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew chief. The 28-year-old has been with RCR since September 2005. He was named a team engineer for the No. 31 program in 2008. He is a 2005 graduate of North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering.
“Luke will be the interim crew chief until further notice,” said Childress. “He has a strong grasp of the job requirements and an established line of communication with Jeff (Burton) so we have every confidence that he will do a great job.”
Burton and the No. 31 team are 25th in the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point standings after 19 races. Burton has qualified three times (2006-2008) for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
“I’m honored that Richard and Jeff have the confidence in me to lead the Cat Racing team,” said Lambert. “This is a talented group of guys who know what it takes and has been successful so there’s no reason to think we can’t be successful moving forward.”
About Richard Childress Racing
Richard Childress Racing has earned 200 victories and 12 NASCAR championships, including six in the Sprint Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Its 2011 Sprint Cup Series lineup includes Paul Menard (No. 27 Menards Chevrolet), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet), Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet) and Clint Bowyer (No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet). Its Camping World Truck Series program includes 2010 Rookie of the Year Austin Dillon (No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) and Joey Coulter, Jr. (No. 22 RCR Chevrolet). Tim George Jr. (No 31 Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group Chevrolet) and Ty Dillon (No. 41 RCR Chevrolet) will compete in the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. For more information, visit www.rcrracing.com.
