Roush Fenway Racing has announced that Drew Blickensderfer will take over as crew chief on the No. 60 Nationwide team driven by Carl Edwards, effective immediately. Mike Kelley, who had served in that position, will assume the role of competition director for Roush Fenway's Nationwide Series effort, and Mike Beam will move into the role of speedway specialist in the research and development department for all of Roush Fenway Racing.
The move will reunite Blickensderfer – who worked last season as the crew chief of the No. 17 Sprint Cup team – and Edwards in the Nationwide Series. Before taking over as Matt Kenseth's crew chief prior to the 2009 season, Blickensderfer and Edwards teamed for 19 races in 2008, running to seven wins, two poles and a second-place series' points finish, while closing the season with nine consecutive top-five runs.
Blickensderfer won his first two races with Kenseth (including the 2009 Daytona 500), but the team has been winless since. Kenseth said last week at Fontana the team lacked a spark and he felt a change was necessary one race into the season. On the other hand, Edwards and Blickensderfer clicked immediately after Blickensderfer replaced Pierre Kuettel on the Nationwide car in June 2008.
"Drew is a wonderful team builder," Jack Roush said. "He will bring Car of Tomorrow experience to the Nationwide shop. Carl and Drew have a strong track record together. This is great for Copart and Fastenal. It provides them with a great chance to win a championship. This assignment will task Drew's potential."