After spending seven years with long-time crew chief Robbie Reiser in the Cup Series starting in 2000, Matt Kenseth and Reiser - who had collected a series championship in 2003 - seemed they would never split. At the end of the 2007 season Resier was named general manager of Roush Fenway Racing, putting an end to the duo.

The team engineer, Chip Bolin, was then named Kenseth's new crew chief for 2008. Bolin will return to his former position after one year with the No. 17 team.

Roush Fenway Racing has promoted the Nationwide Series crew chief Drew Blickensderfer to serve as the No. 17's crew chief for the 2009 season.

“We are really looking forward to Drew coming on board with the No. 17 DEWALT team,” noted Kenseth. “Drew brings a great work ethic and high level of enthusiasm to our team. He has been waiting for the opportunity to become a crew chief in the Sprint Cup Series and I know he’ll make the most of it."

“I had the chance to work with Drew for a couple of years in the Nationwide Series and he is one of the hardest working guys in the garage. He has a passion for the sport, and I know he will be a great addition to our No. 17 team.”

In 2008 Bolin led the No. 17 team to nine top-5 and 20 top-10 finishes, and ultimately an eleventh place finish in the Cup Series point standings. He will return to his former position as the team engineer in 2009.

“Chip has been one of the biggest assets to this team since the beginning,” commented Kenseth. “Both as an engineer and crew chief, he has been instrumental in our championship run in 2003 and our making the Chase every year since. We are looking forward to adding Drew to the mix and everyone on this No. 17 DEWALT team is committed to working together and to running up front next season.”