Veteran crew chief Matt Borland set to return to the pit box
Matt Borland is getting back in the NASCAR game.
Matt Borland
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Sources told Motorsport.com that Borland will join Richard Childress Racing.
Borland, 45, worked as a crew chief for 10 seasons in NASCAR before he was promoted to Vice President of Competition for Stewart Haas Racing.
The Big Rapids, Mich., native graduated with a degree in engineering from General Motors Institute in 1994. Borland started with Pi Research, then moved onto the competition end in open wheels with PacWest Racing before he was recruited by Team Penske in 1999.
Borland's extensive NASCAR resume
Borland rose up the ranks with rookie Ryan Newman for one race in 2000 through the A-B-C development program established at Penske. In 2002, Newman out-dueled Jimmie Johnson for rookie-of-the-year honors under Borland’s direction. The pair won 12 races together from 2002 to 2005. A winless season in 2006, when Newman finished a career-low 18th in the standings, led to a change in crew chiefs on the No. 12 car.
After a brief stint with Michael Waltrip Racing and Dale Jarrett to start the 2007 season, Borland joined Haas CNC Racing as director of competition and remained through the transition to SHR in 2012.
Borland was reunited with Newman, who was hired to drive the No. 39 Chevy. At the end of the season, Borland took over crew chief duties for Newman after Tony Gibson was aligned with Danica Patrick.
Borland enjoyed a dual role of crew chief and technical director with Newman in 2013, and the pair won their 13th Cup race together at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Newman’s home track.
Newman moved to RCR for the 2014 season and signed a contract extension last month. After his friend’s departure, Borland had delved into the engineering end of SHR and shifted his concentration to Haas' Formula 1 project.
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