CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kenny Francis will be Kasey Kahne’s crew chief next season at Hendrick Motorsports.
The team confirmed Francis will replace Lance McGrew as crew chief of the No. 5 team in 2012. McGrew will move to a research and development role at Hendrick.
Kahne and Francis have been together since 2005 and have always been perceived to be a pair for any car owner looking to sign Kahne. Francis followed Kahne to Red Bull Racing this season for the one-year wait the driver had before he could move to Hendrick.
Kahne said early last season he had agreed to replace Mark Martin in the No. 5 car in 2012.