Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has announced that the No. 3 NASCAR Chevy team of Austin Dillon will get a new crew chief, putting Justin Alexander on the box, effective immediately.
Alexander will replace Keith Rodden, who has been the crew chief for the No. 3 Camaro ZL1 of Dillon since the start of the 2024 Cup Series season. Rodden will assume a different role at RCR from now on, providing leadership, coordination and support. RCR did not specify the position that Rodden will fill, however. Additionally, it’s worth noting that Joel Keller has now been appointed lead engineer for the No. 3 NASCAR Chevy team.
“The organizational changes were made to help Richard Childress Racing’s overall NASCAR Cup Series program as we prepare for the rest of the season and locking two teams into the NASCAR Playoffs,” said Andy Petree, executive vice president for RCR, in a statement. “Justin Alexander and Austin Dillon share a unique chemistry that has proven effective in the past. We want to thank Keith Rodden for his leadership of the No. 3 team and know that the contributions he will continue to make to RCR in his new role will be valuable across the organization.”
Alexander has previously served as crew chief for the No. 3 team at RCR from 2017 through 2018, then again from 2020 through 2022. He was atop the box for all four of Dillon’s Cup Series wins, and outstanding accomplishments include winning the 2018 Daytona 500 and 2017 Coca-Cola 600.
It’s likely that Dillon’s lackluster performance so far this season prompted the midseason crew chief reassignment. So far in 2024, with six point-paying races under his belt, Dillon has a best finish of 16th, which was earned at Las Vegas on March 3rd. He is currently 28th in the points standings. His average start this year has been 23.714, and his average finish is 25.714.
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Comments
The problem is nepotism, not the crew chief. As far as being a NASCAR driver, neither Dillon boy is worth the gas it takes to run a race.
I don’t have a problem with either of the Dillon boys but I would think they would be much further ahead to get out of the car, finding another Busch-caliber driver, or someone with money behind them, and learning the ropes from Grandpa before it’s too late.
I’m thinking the 8 might need a new crew chief too.
Problem is the driver, not the crew chief or crew.