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Hendrick crew chiefs sign new deals

Hendrick Motorsports crew chiefs Chad Knaus and Alan Gustafson have signed new multi-year deals with the NASCAR Sprint Cup team

Knaus, who worked on the #24 car of Jeff Gordon in his early days at Hendrick, has been alongside Jimmie Johnson since his debut at Cup level in 2002.

He has been instrumental to the team's success, helping the Californian on his way to an unprecedented four consecutive titles in NASCAR's top series.

His new contract ties him with Johnson through the 2015 season, as Johnson signed a new deal with the team last year for the same term.

"I'm pretty pleased obviously," said Knaus. "I've spent the majority of my life at Hendrick since 1993 and I'd have a hard time thinking I'd ever go somewhere else. This #48 team and the #24 team are very important to me, I'm glad to be a part of that and I want to stay here for a long time to come."

Meanwhile Alan Gustafson, current crew chief for the #5 car driver by Mark Martin, has also signed a new multi-year deal. Gustafson has worked with Kyle Busch and Casey Mears in the past, before finishing runner-up for the title last year with Martin.

Hendrick announced two weeks ago that it has signed Kasey Kahne as Martin's replacement from 2012, but it is unclear yet if Gustafson will end up as Kahne's crew chief. Gustafson admitted he might be changing from the #5 team to another Hendrick car in the future.

"My new contract is for Hendrick Motorsports," said Gustafson. "I am going to work at Hendrick. As far I am concerned, I am going to retire there. Whatever it takes for us to be successful, that is what I want to do.

"Beyond that, no matter what it is, where I need to fill, what role I need to fill to help make this team the most successful, that is what I will do."

Johnson currently leads the Cup standings with three wins in the first nine races, while Martin is sixth in the points but has yet to win this year.

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