RPM Hires Trent Owens to Crew Chief Almirola

(AP) – Richard Petty Motorsports has hired Trent Owens to crew chief Aric Almirola in 2014.

Owens is a longtime Nationwide Series crew chief and the nephew of Richard Petty. His hiring Monday for the No. 43 Ford is his first full-time crew chief job in the Sprint Cup Series.

Owens replaces Todd Parrott, who was fired in October when he failed a random NASCAR drug test.

Owens has won five Nationwide races with five different drivers. He spent last season as crew chief for Kyle Larson at Turner Motorsports.