Top NASCAR Crew Chief Replaces Chad Knaus in William Byron’s Camp for 2021 Cup Series

In 2021, Chad Knaus will no longer be the crew chief, so Hendrick Motorsports has hired Rudy Fugle. The long-time NASCAR Truck Series crew chief will pair up with William Byron in the #24 car. In the meantime, Knaus is being promoted to Vice President of Competition.

Fugle was understandably thrilled, as he considers Hendrick Motorsports as one of the best NASCAR teams. He insisted that they have everything in place to continue being a top-notch team. Given that he has worked with him before, Fugle knows that Byron is hugely talented.

Admittedly, this will be the first time Fugle has taken the role of Cup Series crew chief. However, he is banking on his good professional relationship with William Byron.

The two worked alongside each other during Byron‘s rookie season in the Truck Series back in 2016. This partnership bore fruit in the form of seven race wins, 11 top-fives, and 16 top-10 finishes in that year.

Byron is also excited to reunite with Fugle in the 2021 NASCAR season

“I’m excited to work with Rudy again,” Byron said.

“We have a great team in place, and I know he will be the right leader to keep moving us forward. I’ve seen first-hand what he’s capable of, his competitive nature, and the high standards he has. With Rudy, I believe we’ll have a chance to win every single time we go to the race track, which is what both of us expect.”

Fugle joined the NASCAR Truck Series in the crew chief capacity with Kyle Busch Motorsports back in 2013. During his tenure, he racked up 28 wins and guided two drivers to championships. To be precise, Erik Jones won in 2015, while Christopher Bell took the 2017 title.

“We’re pleased to welcome Rudy,” Hendrick Motorsports General Manager Jeff Andrews said.

“His teams have consistently performed at a championship level for many years. We believe he’s an excellent fit for our culture and will mesh extremely well with our other crew chiefs and competition personnel.

“In addition, Rudy and William have proven to be a successful combination with a high level of communication and trust in one another.”

For now, William Byron will be focused on closing out the current NASCAR season. Once that is done and dusted, he will turn his gaze to 2021 and his reunion with Fugle.