Darian Grubb, who led Jimmie Johnson’s team to a victory in the 2006 Daytona 500 while filling in for suspended crew chief Chad Knaus, was named crew chief for Casey Mears’ No. 25 Chevrolets this week.

Grubb replaces Lance McGrew, who the team said would remain with Hendrick Motorsports in “a leadership role” that remains to be specified.

Mears joins Hendrick Motorsports this season after moving over from Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, where he drove for the first four seasons of his Nextel Cup career.

Grubb, 31, has a degree in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech. He came from Petty Enterprises to Hendrick Motorsports in January 2003 as team engineer for Johnson’s team.

When Knaus was suspended for the first four races of the 2006 for a rules violation found following Daytona 500 qualifying, Grubb took over as interim crew chief. Johnson won the Daytona 500, finished second at California, won at Las Vegas and finished sixth at Atlanta before Knaus’ return. Johnson went on to win the 2006 Nextel Cup title.