MOORESVILLE, N.C. (December 27, 2010) – Penske Racing has announced that experienced crew chief Todd Gordon has been named as the crew chief for the defending NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) championship-winning No. 22 Discount Tire/Ruby Tuesday Dodge team for 2011.
Gordon, who most recently served as race engineer for Diamond-Waltrip Racing in the Nationwide Series, will take over the team that earned Penske Racing’s first NASCAR championship last season with driver Brad Keselowski claiming six wins, five poles and a series single-season record 26 top-five finishes. Gordon will be paired with Keselowski as the No. 22 team will once again pursue the Nationwide Series title in 2011.
“The chance to join Penske Racing and lead the championship-winning team with Brad next season is the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Gordon. “The No. 22 Dodge team had a special year in 2010 and I’m looking forward to coming on board and hopefully building on that level of success as we move forward.”
Gordon, who graduated from Clemson University with a mechanical engineering degree, has served as a crew chief several times throughout his 12-year career in racing. Prior to working with Diamond-Waltrip Racing, he was crew chief at Baker Curb Racing in the Nationwide Series and he also helped build the CJM Racing Nationwide Series program from the ground up, serving as both team manager and crew chief. This will also mark Gordon’s second stint as crew chief of the No. 22 NNS car as he actually led the “double deuce” team when it was part of PPC Racing in 2006.
“We are excited to welcome Todd to Penske Racing,” said Michael Nelson, Vice President of Operations for Penske Racing. “With his strong engineering background and experience as a crew chief in the Nationwide Series, he will be a great addition to the No. 22 Discount Tire/Ruby Tuesday Dodge team.”
Paul Wolfe, who helped lead the No. 22 team to the NNS championship this season, was named recently as crew chief of Penske Racing’s No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge in the NASCAR Cup Series beginning in 2011, which created the opportunity for Gordon.
Penske Racing is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Competing in a variety of disciplines, cars owned and prepared by Penske Racing have produced 332 major race wins, 396 pole positions and 23 National Championships. For more information about Penske Racing, please visit http://www.penskeracing.com/ www.penskeracing.com.
