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Joe Gibbs Racing announces Xfinity Series crew chief assignments

Joe gibbs Racing

A few weeks after announcing its new crew chief-driver pairings in the Sprint Cup Series, Joe Gibbs Racing has revealed the same for the Xfinity Series.

In 2016, rookie Erik Jones is paired on the No. 20 with Chris Gabehart, who was previously the race engineer for the No. 11 of Denny Hamlin in the Sprint Cup Series.

In Jones’ 23 Xfinity races in 2015 he worked with Michael Wheeler and Chris Gayle. Gayle returns to JGR for his fourth season working on the No. 18, which will be driven by Kyle Busch, Hamlin and others. Wheeler is now the crew chief for Hamlin in the Cup series.

Daniel Suarez, the 2015 Rookie of the Year, will be paired with Scott Graves on the No. 19. Graves comes to JGR after winning the 2015 Xfinity title with Chris Buescher at Roush Fenway Racing. Graves and Buescher won two races on the way to the championship.

Suarez worked with Eric Phillips in 2015, ending the season with eight top-five finishes and three poles. Suarez’ rookie campaign ended with him fifth in the point standings.

Joe Gibbs Racing will not field a No. 54 car this year but continues with three full-time Xfinity teams.

The 2016 Xfinity Series season begins on Feb. 20 with the PowerShares QQQ 300 at Daytona International Speedway.

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