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TALLADEGA, AL – APRIL 30: Crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr, driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, Greg Ives stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 30, 2016 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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TALLADEGA, AL – APRIL 30: Crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr, driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, Greg Ives stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 30, 2016 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Earlier, news broke that long-time NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports crew chief, Greg Ives, was retiring. The 42-year-old has been with the Hendrick Motorsports organization for more than a decade.
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Now, after many faithful years with the team, he is officially hanging up his boots for good at the end of the 2022 season.
Had a feeling this was coming, I know you’ve hated watching your kids grow up without you being there full time.
Congrats on a great career on top of the box, wishing you all the best in your next adventure!
— Josef (@JosefMiele) August 26, 2022
I'm a big Alex bowman fan but with the performance of the 48 team this year it's been very disappointing a change is needed I wish you the best but I think Mr H would have made a change anyway at the end of the year
— Jason Fahs (@Fahszybear) August 26, 2022
No more Greg Ives, now I can see people thinking Alex is getting a new crew chief, but, what if his contract is getting bought out for Kyle Bush?
— HendrickFan9 (@chaoticgod95) August 26, 2022
Greg, I’m so glad you’ll get to spend more time with your family. Best of luck in your next adventure. I know you’ll continue to make us Michiganders proud. 🙂
— Nell M (@NellM48) August 26, 2022
Obviously, when 2023 arrives, Bowman will link up with a new crew chief, but he will still fondly remember Ives. According to Ives, the driving factor behind his decision was his desire to be with his family.
In his words, he has been on the road for 17 seasons and wanted to spend some time with his children. Now, he is excited to lead the #48 car into the Playoffs for the last time in his career.
Alex Bowman leads tributes to his Hendrick Motorsports crew chief
Bowman was glad to link up with Ives for seven Cup Series wins in his career. Now, he is hoping to add a few more to the cabinet, and hopefully the title as a perfect farewell present. Truthfully speaking, that could be a very difficult task, with teammates Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson, on song. However, a man can dream, and anything can happen in the Playoffs.
7 wins together and a chapter in my life I’ll never forget… Couldn’t have done it without you, @Ives_Greg. Let’s add a few more to the trophy case. 👊🏼 pic.twitter.com/5PxGDSSAUz
— Alex Bowman (@Alex_Bowman) August 26, 2022
Had a feeling this was coming, I know you’ve hated watching your kids grow up without you being there full time.
Congrats on a great career on top of the box, wishing you all the best in your next adventure!
— Josef (@JosefMiele) August 26, 2022
You’ll always be part of the #Ally48 family. Thanks for two great seasons – let’s finish the year strong!
— Ally Racing (@allyracing) August 26, 2022
Congrats! Hope and suspect we'll still be seeing you at some race tracks as part of this next phase!🤞
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) August 26, 2022
One of the very best, will miss seeing you on top of the box!
— Kaitlyn Vincie (@kaitlynvincie) August 26, 2022
It is worth mentioning that Ives has admitted in his statement that he wants to be there for his ‘Hendrick family’. Interpret it however you want, Ives is looking forward to the next step in his life and career. As far as his accolades go, he was part of the five-time championship-winning team between 2006 and 2010 with Jimmie Johnson.
He began his career all the way back in 2004 as an engineer for Hendrick Motorsports. Since then, he progressed within the organization and was an integral part in Johnson’s team in his dominant days.
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In 2021, following the 7-time Cup Series champion’s retirement, he linked up with Alex Bowman. Now, he is in his second season with the 29-year-old from Arizona.
