JGR tabs Darian Grubb for Denny Hamlin

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Joe Gibbs Racing has grabbed championship-winning crew chief Darian Grubb for driver Denny Hamlin. Grubb takes over for Mike Ford, the only crew chief Hamlin has had at NASCAR's elite Sprint Cup Series level. Hamlin dropped off considerably last season, a year after he fell short in the 2010 season finale of dethroning five-time champion Jimmie Johnson. Hamlin had just one victory in 2011 and finished ninth in points. So JGR made a run at Grubb once he was let go by Tony Stewart. Although Grubb guided Stewart to five wins in the final 10 races and the championship, Stewart had made the decision to let Grubb go and didn't change his mind after their title run. Grubb had several other offers, including one from Hendrick Motorsports.