NASCAR Cup Series

Erwin to join Allmendinger

Published Jul. 18, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Greg Erwin will be the NASCAR Sprint Cup crew chief for AJ Allmendinger, effective immediately.

Erwin parted ways with Roush Fenway Racing and driver Greg Biffle a week ago. He joins fellow Ford team Richard Petty Motorsports to work with the driver. Mike Shiplett has been working as Allmendinger's crew chief.

“Mike and I have been together for a long time, so from a personal standpoint this is difficult for me,” Allmendinger said. “We’ve worked really well together and I think our personalities really complemented each other. Mike and I both came into this year really committed to working on our weaker areas. I know we both tried our best to be better and communicate better — I couldn’t have asked for either of us to try any harder. Sometimes though, you need to take a step back and have a new perspective or new set of eyes look at things to move to the next level.

“Greg Erwin is a really talented crew chief and we’re lucky to have him come on board with us. He has had a lot of success, brings a fresh perspective and has shown he knows exactly what it takes to win. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do together and taking the team to that next level.”

"We said from day one that we were going to rebuild RPM into a championship-caliber team and return the King to his throne," co-owner Andrew Murstein said. "We will do whatever it takes to not only win, but make RPM's fans proud. Every long journey has a first step, and this puts us one step closer to getting back to the winners circle."

Erwin joined forces with Biffle and Roush Fenway in May of 2007. He led Biffle to three consecutive Chase for the Sprint Cup appearances in 2008, 2009 and 2010, with a top finish of third. Erwin began his NASCAR Cup crew chief career working with Robby Gordon in May 2005. He has five career Cup wins.

“When one door closes, another one opens and this is great example of that,” Erwin said. “I couldn’t be happier to have found a new home at Richard Petty Motorsports. To work with Richard Petty and lead the iconic No. 43 team is a great opportunity for me. AJ Allmendinger has shown that he has a great deal of talent and I’m excited to have the chance to get the No. 43 team back to Victory Lane.”

Sources told FOXSports.com that Shiplett will not remain with the organization.