Kaulig Racing confirms immediate replacement of key team member

Kaulig Racing has made a change in its leadership by removing Travis Mack from the role of crew chief for the No. 16 team. Effective immediately, Darian Grubb will take over the position, at least for the upcoming race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend.

Travis Mack joined Kaulig Racing earlier this year, bringing experience from his time at Trackhouse Racing. At Kaulig, Mack not only served as crew chief for their No. 16 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, but also assumed the responsibilities of technical director. Despite his expertise, the Mack-led team struggled to find its footing, managing just one top-five finish and four top-10 finishes in 32 races this season. The team is currently ranked 30th in the NASCAR Cup Series Owner Standings.

The decision to change crew chiefs appears to be a response to this struggle. A key factor in the team’s inconsistent performance could be attributed to its variable driver selection, which may have hindered the establishment of a stable and coherent strategy.

Mack’s previous tenure at Trackhouse Racing saw him team up with Daniel Suarez before a crew chief move brought Matt Swiderski into his previous role. This transition allowed Mack to make his mark on Kaulig Racing, albeit without the desired results.

In response to the immediate change in leadership, Kaulig Racing released an official statement saying:

“Effective immediately, Travis Mack will no longer serve as crew chief for the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet.

“We appreciate Travis’ commitment to the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season and wish him the best in the future. Darian Grubb will serve as the No. 16 crew chief this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with driver Shane van Gisbergen. More Announcements on the racing position will be taken in the near future.”

Darian Grubb brings an impressive history to the table. As a 24-time NASCAR Cup Series race-winning crew chief, Grubb’s credits include winning the 2011 NASCAR Cup Series championship with Tony Stewart and serving in a strategic role at Trackhouse Racing as director of performance. His championship-winning pedigree should give Kaulig Racing a much-needed boost.

As Kaulig Racing reassesses the crew’s leadership, the future of the No. 16 driver’s position also brings uncertainties. Shane van Gisbergen, who will drive next weekend, will take up a full-time role at Trackhouse Racing in 2025, raising questions about the future alignment of both driver and crew chief.