Stafford Township native Martin Truex Jr. will have his crew chief back this weekend — finally.
Chad Johnston is expected to return after missing two races to stay home with his then-pregnant wife, Stacey.
Chase Allen Johnston was born last Friday night. He weighed nine pounds and was 203/4 inches long. The Johnstons also have a daughter, Sydnee.
Johnston was replaced by Michael Waltrip Racing executive vice president of competition. While Miller has an impressive history as a crew chief, Truex finished 20th and 12th in two races under him.
Perhaps the most important part of being a successful crew chief is chemistry with the driver. Truex’s struggles under accomplished crew chief Pat Tryson in his first two years at MWR are proof of that.
Johnston never had been a crew chief before taking over Truex’s team midway through last season. But he and Truex clicked. Truex placed in the top 10 in eight of 13 races under Johnston this season, and he gave much of the credit to the crew chief.
Truex could use a boost. He remains seventh in the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings but is just six points ahead of eighth-place Tony Stewart.
