Denny Hamlin: Will New Crew Chief Darian Grubb Get Him a NASCAR Cup Title?

Denny Hamlin faced some struggles this season after his runner-up finish to Cup champion Jimmie Johnson in 2010, but now he has a fresh leader who is hot off winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship.

Joe Gibbs Racing announced Friday that Darian Grubb had been hired as the crew chief for Hamlin's No. 11 FedEx Toyota team, and his first official day in his new position will be Monday.

Grubb had to make the choice as to whether he wanted to pursue a position in engineering, perhaps with Hendrick Motorsports, or remain atop a pit box.

The championship-winning crew chief is 36 years old and made the decision to keep making the calls atop the pit box while the fire still burns. Grubb will likely continue as a crew chief for about four more years and then move to another position when his son begins playing T-Ball and soccer.

Joe Gibbs Racing would appear to be the perfect fit for Grubb with their style of management, the personnel and, of course, his new driver, Hamlin.

When asked if he would bring any of the information gathered from working with Hendrick Motorsports, Grubb said all technical information was left behind, but added, "You can't unlearn lessons you've learned."

Grubb has been having lunch with Hamlin and getting to know him better. The two Virginia natives have much to talk about when it comes to Virginia Tech. Grubb is trying to build a united team focused on one goal, and that is winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup title. He said he was going to "hit reset" and move ahead.

J.D. Gibbs addressed the fact that they were intending to part ways with Hamlin's former crew chief Mike Ford prior to Grubb becoming available. Gibbs focused on the fact that Grubb was a better fit for the long term.

Referencing his departure as Tony Stewart's crew chief at Stewart Haas Racing, Grubb stated, "I didn't choose to not be a crew chief with the situation I was in before."

Grubb does like the fact that now there is a level of management that can act as a mediator and that the lack of separation was a bit more difficult at SHR.

The question was asked as to whether there were more changes taking place at JGR, specifically the possibility of Greg Zipadelli moving to Stewart Haas Racing.

Gibbs was vague with his answer, but stated, "This is all were really focused on right now." He added, "I'm sure we'll have other discussions in the future, which we do every year. But right now, this is all we're looking at."

Stewart would welcome his former crew chief, Zipadelli, with open arms at SHR, possibly as competition director which is a position that remains unfilled.

Hamlin just never seemed to rebound in the 2011 season and faced problems with his team, along with far too many engine failures, and won only one race. The driver of the No. 11 did manage to claim a wild-card slot that got him into the Chase, where he finished the year in ninth position.

It is the mission of Grubb to get Hamlin a championship in the Cup series. The former SHR crew chief made some really gutsy calls during the Chase, and the mojo of winning the title is still fresh. If the engines can remain healthy at Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin may have his best chance yet at winning a NASCAR Sprint Cup title with his new crew chief.

Information and quotes in this article were obtained courtesy of a teleconference with JGR, J.D.Gibbs and Darian Grubb.