Joe Gibbs Racing has named Matt Lucas as crew chief for the organization's No. 18 Nationwide Series team.
Lucas, who has spent the past two seasons as the race engineer for the team, replaces Jason Ratcliff, who was named crew chief for Joey Logano's Sprint Cup Series team.
Lucas has 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 he will provide the team continuity going into next season,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing. “He has a close relationship with Jason that will also be beneficial as he fills that role. We are fortunate to have people here at JGR 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 Matt continuing to build upon that success.”
Prior to joining the organization in 2010, Lucas spent four seasons with Roush Fenway Racing as a Nationwide Series engineer. He was a member of Carl Edwards' team that won the 2007 Nationwide Series championship. In 2009 he worked with Paul Menard. He also spent five seasons as a race engineer with Penske Racing.
“I am excited about the opportunity to lead our No. 18 team going into next season,” said Lucas. “We have a tremendous group of guys on this team and throughout our Nationwide shop and we plan to continue to deliver the type of success our sponsors expect and deserve.”
