Strader to be interim chief on JR Motorsports'  No. 5

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- JR Motorsports announced Wednesday that Cam Strader will assume crew chief duties for the No. 5 Nationwide Series team starting this weekend at O'Reilly Raceway Park. He replaces Chad Walter, who has resigned.

Strader, car chief for the team since 2006, will serve in an interim capacity until a permanent replacement has been determined.

"We have complete faith in Cam Strader's abilities to continue the momentum the No. 5 team has gained in last two months," said Kelley Earnhardt, vice president and general manager of JR Motorsports. "We appreciate what Chad has brought to this company, and wish him the very best."

Strader, 28, is from Wilson, N.C. He joined Hendrick Motorsports in 2003 and came to JR Motorsports when the companies merged Nationwide Series operations following the 2007 season.

The No. 5 team competes full time in the Nationwide Series with multiple drivers, including Landon Cassill, Mark Martin, Jimmie Johnson, Adrian Fernandez, Ron Fellows and team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. Cassill will drive the No. 5 Chevrolet Saturday night in the Kroger 200 at O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis.

Through 21 races this season, the No. 5 team has one victory, one pole, three top-fives and 10 top-10s. Its victory came on March 1 in the Sam's Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with driver Mark Martin. Last week at Gateway International Raceway, the team finished sixth and moved up to 10th in the Nationwide owner standings.