Wingo named crew chief at Front Row Motorsports
Veteran crew chief Donnie Wingo joins David Gilliland and the No. 38 Ford
Photo by: Action Sports Photography
Veteran crew chief Donnie Wingo will oversee the No. 38 Love’s Travel Stops Ford team and driver David Gilliland at Front Row Motorsports.
Gilliland, who finished 30th in the Sprint Cup point standings, worked most recently with interim crew chief Jay Guy after Frank Kerr was released after Kansas in October. Although Gilliland has never worked with WIngo, he told Motorsport.com via text that he "can't wait" to get started.
I’m looking forward to working with David. I think he has a lot of talent.
Donnie Wingo
Wingo added, "It’s a little different opportunity than what I’ve had lately, but I’m looking forward to the challenge. I’m looking forward to working with David. I think he has a lot of talent. He’s been great at restrictor plate track and road courses, two areas where I've had success in the past.
“We need to work on the intermediate package a bit, but I’m looking forward to help building the program.”
Wingo, who most recently worked with the Wood Brothers and the venerable No. 21 Motorcraft Ford, returned to the Statesville, N.C. shop on Monday where he first enjoyed success with Jimmy Spencer at Haas-Carter Motorsports.
Prior to that, Wingo, 54, was well on his way to building his crew chief resume. He started with NASCAR Hall of Famer Bud Moore and driver Morgan Shepherd in 1990. After stints with Geoff Bodine, Lake Speed and Dick Trickle in the No. 15 Ford – and four Cup wins – Wingo moved to Travis Carter’s in 1996.
He remained at HCM for the next seven seasons before joining Jamie McMurray at Chip Ganassi Racing in 2003. Wingo was aligned with Juan Pablo Montoya, who took over as driver of the No. 42 team in 2007. In their 16th race together, the pair won at Sonoma. In 2009, Wingo was reunited with McMurray at Roush Fenway Racing.
After just missing the Chase with David Ragan in 2010, Wingo was enlisted by the Wood Brothers for Trevor Bayne’s Sprint Cup debut. The No. 21 finished 17th at Texas and won the Daytona 500 in Bayne’s second career Cup start.
In 25 seasons, the Spartanburg, S.C. – native has led drivers to seven wins, 63 top fives and 172 top 10- finishes.
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