HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -- Moments after accepting the trophy for fourth place in the 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series standings with his former team, Johnny Sauter shed light on who would fill an important role for his new team.
Sauter said that Marcus Richmond will move over to become his crew chief as he transitions to GMS Racing ahead of the 2016 season. Richmond spent the last two seasons with Red Horse Racing, helping guide Timothy Peters and the No. 17 Toyota to three victories during that span.
"Obviously, we've already got things set in motion," Sauter said Monday night at the series' annual awards banquet. "As far as people and personnel, we've still got a couple guys that we're trying to assemble to make it what we want it to be, but obviously Marcus Richmond's going to come over and be the crew chief and he's got some key people that he thinks are going to help the program. … Lot of work to be done in a few short months, but they're working hard."
GMS announced on Oct. 15 that Sauter would become a teammate to Spencer Gallagher after spending the last seven seasons driving the ThorSport Racing No. 98 Toyota. On Monday, Sauter revealed another key piece of the puzzle.
Peters closed out the season with a change atop the pit box, with veteran Butch Hylton replacing Richmond for the finale. Though their work partnership may have ended, Peters said his long-running friendship with Richmond -- with roots all the way back to childhood years -- would endure.
"Hate the circumstances for sure, but it was a mutual decision to part ways with Red Horse and Marcus," said Peters, who finished fifth in the season-long truck series standings. "Definitely, he and I are still best friends and wish him well."