Jeff Burton also gets new crew chief for Sprin Cup series

The Richard Childress Racing driver currently ranks 25th in the point standings with two 11th-place finishes as his best results of the year. Todd Berrier, his former crew chief, had led RCR's #31 team to Chase contention last year, although they finished at the bottom of the playoff standings.

Lambert's role is interim for now, as he takes on the crew chief position for the first time in the Sprint Cup Series. He had previously worked as race engineer on Burton's car.

"Todd [Berrier] has been an important part of RCR's success for many years," said Richard Childress. "He is still employed and under contract and his role with RCR will be determined in the near future."

"Luke will be the interim crew chief until further notice," Childress added. "He has a strong grasp of the job requirements and an established line of communication with Jeff [Burton] so we have every confidence that he will do a great job."

Burton has been a Chase contender four times in his Sprint Cup Series career, qualifying from 2006 to 2008, then returning to the championship battle last year after all RCR drivers missed it in 2009.