Mears team hires Grubb as crew chief

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Casey Mears got a new crew chief Monday, just four days before NASCAR begins preparations for the season-opening Daytona 500.

Fortunately for Mears, he's teaming with last year's race-winning crew chief.

Darian Grubb, who led Jimmie Johnson to the Daytona 500 victory, will now lead Mears' No. 25 team at Hendrick Motorsports. Grubb, an engineer on Johnson's crew, filled in for Chad Knaus during his four-race suspension last season. Grubb led Johnson to a pair of wins during his stint.

-- AP