Robert ‘Bootie’ Barker won’t return as Ty Dillon’s crew chief in 2018

RELATED: Full driver standings Veteran crew chief Robert "Bootie" Barker will not return to oversee the No. 13 Chevrolet fielded by Germain Racing and driven by Ty Dillon in 2018. Team officials made the announcement Tuesday that a crew chief change would be forthcoming via press release. Barker's replacement will "be announced at a later date," according to the release. He will remain with the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series team and driver Ty Dillon through the final two races of the 2017 season. Dillon, competing for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors, enters Sunday's Can-Am 500 (2:30 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR) at Phoenix Raceway 24th in points. He has yet to finish in the top 10 in only 52 career starts in the Monster Energy Series. Barker, 46, has more than 15 years' experience as a crew chief in NASCAR. His first stint came in 2001-02 in the XFINITY Series with driver Scott Wimmer and Bill Davis Racing. The combination won four races in '02 and Wimmer finished third in points. Barker joined Germain for 2010 as crew chief for then-driver Max Papis.