Darian Grubb, who earned a mechanical engineering degree from Virginia Tech in 1998, today was named as crew chief for Tony Stewart's No. 14 Chevrolet at Stewart Haas racing beginning with the 2009 Daytona 500.

Grubb, a native of Floyd, was signed to a multi-year deal.

"We've got a team leader now, and somebody that I feel very comfortable with, very confident in," Stewart said. "The little bit of time we've spent together so far, I'm really excited to get things started for next year."

Grubb, 32, will make the transition from Hendrick Motorsports, his employer for the past six years.

-- Shawn Fenner