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Ives Named Elliott's Crew Chief At JR Motorsports
 MOORESVILLE, N.C.---JR Motorsports, owned by NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr., announced Monday that 18-year-old driver Chase Elliott has joined their team in the #9 car. And Bark River native Greg Ives will have the front seat as Elliott's crew chief when the NASCAR Nationwide Series begins in February. Ives spent the last season as crew chief for Regan Smith on the Nationwide circuit. 
Greg Ives Interview From North Carolina
"I talked to Chase about the fact that our limitations will only be set by us," Ives said in a phone interview Monday from North Carolina. "Him as a driver, and me as a crew chief. With Chase being a new driver, and a young driver, it gives me a great opportunity to take my experience that I have right now and pass it on to him." So, how did this change come about, with Ives shifting from Smith to Elliott? "Dale Junior, Kelly Earnhardt-Miller, and Mr. Hendrick felt that it was the best lineup for the guys that they have," Ives said. "With Chase being an up-and-coming driver and me hopefully becoming an up-and-coming crew chief." "So, I'm excited about that opportunity." In his role as crew chief, Ives has as many as 45 people working under him, with a dozen or so travelling with him and Elliott to the Nationwide Series races. Ives says that his job will be much the same as it was with Smith last season. "Our goals are the same," Ives said. "Win races and win championships. But first, we've got to be competitive each week. We have to finish each race, each lap. Gain as much experience as possible." |
