NASCAR: RCR announces Key Competition Personnel Changes

Richard Childress Racing (RCR) announced this week several competition personnel changes designed to strengthen the organization’s NASCAR Cup Series teams.

Justin Alexander has been appointed to the role of crew chief for Austin Dillon and the No. 3 team in the NASCAR Cup Series.

In addition to the crew chief change, Joel Keller has been appointed lead engineer for the No. 3 team.

Alexander replaces Keith Rodden, who had been paired with Dillon at RCR since the beginning of 2023.

Rodden, a veteran crew chief and race engineer, will take on a larger role across the organization to help maximize the capabilities of RCR’s Chevys and provide leadership, coordination and support.

“The organizational changes were made to help Richard Childress Racing’s overall NASCAR Cup Series program as we prepare for the rest of the season and locking two teams into the NASCAR Playoffs,” said Andy Petree, executive vice president for RCR.

“Justin Alexander and Austin Dillon share a unique chemistry that has proven effective in the past.

“We want to thank Keith Rodden for his leadership of the No. 3 team and know that the contributions he will continue to make to RCR in his new role will be valuable across the organization.”

Alexander, who has been serving as RCR’s competition director, was a crew chief for the No. 3 team in the NASCAR Cup Series from 2017 to 2018 and 2020 to 2022, notably guiding Dillon to all four of his NASCAR Cup Series wins.

Together, the Alexander/Dillon duo captured two of the sport’s “Crown Jewel” races – the Coca-Cola 600 in 2017 and the Daytona 500 in 2018.

The changes are effective immediately.