Staff and wire reports
Even at the end, it’s still going to feel a little bit new for Tony Stewart.
With his final season as a driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series approaching, Stewart announced the appointment of a new crew chief Monday. Michael Bugarewicz, who previously served as the race engineer for Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Kevin Harvick, was promoted to replace Chad Johnston. Johnston departed last week to become Kyle Larson’s crew chief for Chip Ganassi Racing.
Bugarewicz helped Harvick earn the Sprint Cup championship in 2014.
“We have great people at Stewart-Haas Racing, and these changes prove that,” Stewart said in a statement. “We were able to promote from within while also adding new talent.”
A native of Lehighton, Pennsylvania, the 33-year-old Bugarewicz earned his master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Penn State in 2005. He joined the Roush-Fenway Racing team as an engineer after graduation.
Stewart, 44, who is retiring after the 2016 season, last won the Sprint Cup title in 2011. He also won titles in 2002 and 2005.
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