McAnally-Hilgemann Racing (MHR) has officially announced its 2027 NASCAR FedEx Freight Truck Series crew chief roster, headlined by the high-profile departure of Matt Barndt from Hendrick Motorsports. Barndt, who served as the car chief for Chase Elliott and the No. 9 Chevrolet in the Cup Series, will transition to lead the No. 91 team alongside driver Christian Eckes. The move underscores the deepening operational synergy between the organizations, both of which are connected through their shared sponsorship of NAPA Auto Parts, signaling a strategic push to elevate MHR’s competitive standing in the Truck Series.
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The restructuring extends beyond Barndt’s arrival, as Kevin Bellicourt, previously the crew chief for Daniel Hemric’s No. 19 entry, is stepping into a General Manager role to oversee broader team operations. Bellicourt’s position will be filled by Darren Fraley, who transfers from the No. 81 MHR entry, ensuring continuity for Hemric’s program. Additionally, Edward “Dewey” Townsend, formerly managing the part-time No. 20 entry, will take the helm of the newly signed Nick Sanchez and the No. 18 team, while Mark Hillman assumes an Operations Manager role and Stephen Poswiatowski moves from the No. 19 to serve as Lead Engineer.
Team owner Bill McAnally emphasized the ambitious nature of the new leadership structure, stating, “We have high expectations of ourselves, to win races and compete for championships.” By assembling a crew chief lineup that includes Barndt, Bellicourt, Fraley, and Townsend, MHR aims to leverage their combined experience to build upon the strong finish of the previous season. This strategic overhaul positions the team to aggressively challenge for the 2027 title, relying on proven Cup Series expertise to drive performance in the Truck Series.
Source: Yahoo Sports
