Michael Waltrip Racing is moving forward sans crew chief Rodney Childers.
Scott Miller, MWR executive vice president of competition, is expected to act as interim crew chief on the No. 55 Aaron’s Toyota team and for Brian Vickers until a replacement can be found.
Childers informed MWR last week that he would not be returning to the team next year, opting to join Stewart-Haas Racing as Kevin Harvick’s crew chief.
“I’m at my last supper,” Childers confirmed by text Monday, “with my guys.”
Childers joined MWR for the 2009 season and guided David Reutimann to both his and the company’s first-career Cup win in the Coca-Cola 600. The team posted its second victory at Chicagoland in 2010. For the past two seasons, Childers oversaw the three-driver Team Aaron’s roster of Vickers, Mark Martin and Waltrip. Vickers won at New Hampshire last month, but Martin has since left for SHR to sub for the injured Tony Stewart.
Miller joined MWR in September 2011 after his second stint with Richard Childress Racing. During his tenure at RCR, Miller, 56, guided Jeff Burton to three Chase berths and four wins. As interim crew chief for Clint Bowyer in 2010, Miller guided the team to its Talladega win.
Miller served a similar role at MWR for Martin Truex Jr., when Chad Johnston was suspended at the end of 2011.
