Todd Smith (left) has been relieved of his duties as crew chief for Don Schumacher Racing’s Valvoline MaxLife/MTS Dodger Charger R/T Funny Car effective immediately.
DSR owner Don Schumacher made the decision Sunday (Oct. 27) at the NHRA Toyota Nationals in Las Vegas.
Smith joined DSR to be the crew chief for driver Jack Beckman early in the 2012 season. The team won three event titles en route to earning the 2012 NHRA Funny Car world championship, but remained winless after three final-round appearances this year.
“We ask all of our people for their commitment for the next year which I asked Todd Smith for, and he would not commit to staying with DSR so I felt it best for everyone that we go our separate ways now,” Schumacher said.
“We appreciate everything Todd has done for the Valvoline MaxLife/MTS team including winning the Funny Car championship in 2012.”
DSR will soon announce who will serve as crew chief for the season-finale in two weeks at Pomona, Calif.
(Photo courtesy NHRA/National Dragster)
This story was originally published on October 28, 2013. 
