On Saturday it was confirmed that Brian Burns has been officially named the crew chief for Bobby Labonte and the No. 47 JTG/Daugherty Racing Toyota Sprint Cup Series team in 2013. Burns was in an interim role with Labonte and the team since taking over in August of 2012 at Pocono after Todd Berrier left the team and David Hyder led the team for one race.
The tandem ran the final 16 races of 2012 together and had four top 15 finishes in those races including a season best of ninth at Martinsville. In his 20th full season in the Sprint Cup Series Labonte finished 23rd in the driver standings which was up from 29th where he finished in 2011 which was his first season with JTG/Daugherty Racing.
“I think he’s done a great job since he was put in that position,” said general manager Bobby Hutchens. “He’s a solid engineer and he understands the race car. Plus he’s a great leader with the crew. Considering that he’s already had time in the position, I really believe we’ll be able to make progress next year.”
Burns spent the 2011 season as the crew chief for Travis Kvapil at Front Row Motorsports and then came over to JTG/Daugherty Racing for the final four races with Bobby Labonte after Frank Kerr was taken off that position by the team. The job was given to Berrier in 2012 but now Burns will get his shot to lead the No. 47 team for the first time from the beginning of the season.
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