Wood Brothers Racing Replaced Crew Chief for Las Vegas

NASCAR team manager Jefferson Hodges will serve as the interim crew chief for driver Josh Berry.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Motorsports

Wood Brothers Racing Replaced Crew Chief for Las Vegas

Live Poll

Do you plan to attend or watch local NASCAR racing events in your area?

Wood Brothers Racing has replaced crew chief Miles Stanley for the upcoming race weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway due to his inability to attend. Team Penske manager Jefferson Hodges will step into the role to guide driver Josh Berry.

Why it matters

The sudden leadership change forces an adjustment for the No. 21 team as they prepare for the 1.5-mile track. Hodges brings management experience but has not served as a crew chief in a national NASCAR series since 2011.

Josh Berry enters the weekend with nine top-10 finishes this season, following a 31st-place result in the spring Las Vegas race and a 26th-place finish in the recent playoff race.

The players

Wood Brothers Racing

This is one of the oldest and most historic teams currently competing in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Jefferson Hodges

He serves as the NASCAR team manager at Team Penske and is taking over the crew chief role for this weekend.

Josh Berry

He is the driver of the No. 21 car who is competing for Wood Brothers Racing in the Cup Series.

Miles Stanley

He is the regular crew chief for the No. 21 team who is unable to attend the Las Vegas race weekend.

The details

Jefferson Hodges will assume command from the pit box for the No. 21 team this weekend at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Hodges has served as the NASCAR team manager at Team Penske since 2019 and will now directly oversee Berry's performance.

2011: Hodges served as a crew chief in a national series.
2019: Hodges began his role as NASCAR team manager.
October 2, 2026: Team announcement of the crew chief change.

Motorsports
Sept. 30
NASCAR Will Set South Point 400 Qualifying Field
Motorsports
Sept. 30
23XI Racing Unveiled Space Jam Paint Scheme
Motorsports
Sept. 30
NASCAR Cup Series Will Race at Las Vegas on October 4

Season Trajectory

The sudden leadership pivot occurs during a critical phase of the season where continuity is typically prioritized to maintain playoff momentum. This move shifts the operational oversight for the No. 21 team as they attempt to secure a win at a track where they have faced varying results this year.

Fantasy players and fans should note that Josh Berry is attempting to secure his second Cup Series win at the 1.5-mile track after struggling with a 31st-place finish earlier this spring. The performance of the No. 21 team will be a key metric to watch as Hodges returns to a crew chief role after a decade-long hiatus.

The takeaway

Sudden changes in leadership often introduce variables that test a team's adaptability during intense racing windows. Fans should monitor how the new communication dynamic between the driver and the interim manager impacts pit strategy throughout the race.