JTG announces substitute crew chief following Burnett suspension

Burnett is serving a one-race suspension after the team failed the post-race lugnut check following the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night. Inspectors discovered one of the lug nuts was missing on the No. 47 Chevy. The team was in violation of Sections 12-1; 10.11.3.4 a; 12.5.3.4.1p in the NASCAR rulebook

Burnett was fined $20,000 and suspended from competition through June 8. Burnett was also placed on NASCAR probation through Dec. 31.

Cope, 46, rejoined JTGD at the end of the 2015 season as director of competition. He originally worked for the organization as a crew chief for Stacy Compton and Marcos Ambrose. The former driver also guided efforts for the Wood Brothers, Kevin Harvick Inc., Richard Childress Racing and most recently JR Motorsports where he worked with Chase Elliott.

As a crew chief, Cope led teams to 15 Xfinity and nine trucks wins with a variety of drivers including Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne and Elliott.

Burnett was one of three crew chiefs suspended when this week's penalty report was released for the Coca-Cola 600. Johnny Klausmeier, the 41 team engineer, will be Kurt Busch's interim crew chief while Tony Gibson sits out Pocono. Roush Fenway Racing has yet to announce a substitute for the No. 16 of Greg Biffle.