Martin takes over this season to get a head start on the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series when he will team up with Clint Bowyer, who will take over the driving duties for the ACDelco team next season. Bowyer has been the co-driver, with Kevin Harvick, this season of RCR’s No. 21 Reese’s Busch Series entry.

“Gil experience and success in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and the NASCAR Busch Series made him the perfect candidate to team up with Clint Bowyer for his first full season in the Busch Series,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “He’s done a great job in every position he’s had with RCR and I know that success will continue next year.”

Martin has earned two victories as a crew chief in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and 11 in the NASCAR Busch Series. Both Cup Series victories were earned at RCR -- in the 2001 season finale with Robby Gordon and the No. 31 team at New Hampshire International Speedway, and in 2002 with Harvick and the No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway. He was also the crew chief when RCR’s No. 21 Busch Series team earned its first victory, in 2001 with Jeff Purvis at Pikes Peak (Colo.) International Raceway.

Martin came to RCR toward the end of the 2000 season. He began the 2004 season as the team manager for the No. 29 GM Goodwrench team and recently was co-crew chief in two races with RCR’s No. 31 Cingular Wireless team and one race each with the No. 29 ESGR NASCAR Busch Series team and No. 33 Bass Pro Shops NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series team, both driven by Kerry Earnhardt.

The Nashville, Tenn., native replaces Butch Hylton, who earned one victory this season with driver Ron Hornaday and was crew chief for RCR’s No. 21 Reese’s team’s NASCAR Busch Series owner’s championship in 2003 with Harvick and Johnny Sauter.