Don Schumacher Racing announced Jan. 22, that Rob Wendland, a DSR crew chief since mid-2011, has been released.
Wendland tuned the Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car driven by Johnny Gray through the 2013 season and had been slated to be the crew chief of the Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T driven by Tommy Johnson Jr. in 2014.
“I wish Rob nothing but the best,” said Schumacher. “We’re very grateful for his time with us.”
Wendland was the crew chief in each of Gray’s seven Funny Car victories.
A new crew chief for the Terry Chandler-sponsored, Make-A-Wish Dodge has yet to be named. In the interim, DSR Director of Racing Todd Okuhara, a veteran crew chief, will take the lead with support from the pool of DSR Funny Car crew chiefs that will oversee the Johnson-driven entry.
The 2014 season of NHRA’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series begins Feb. 7-9, at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona with the Circle K NHRA Winternationals.
(Photo courtesy NHRA/National Dragster; Click to enlarge)
