Team manager Brian Whitesell will lead Earnhardt's team for this weekend's Autism Speaks 400 at Dover, Delaware, while Lance McGrew will take over as interim crew chief starting with the June 7 race at Pocono Raceway.

Earnhardt has not won a race this season and is 19th in points. Since Earnhardt joined Hendrick Motorsports for 2008, he and Eury have won just once in 48 races.

"Our performance hasn't been where it should be," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "It's impossible to pin that on any one factor, but a change is the right decision at this point. We have a plan in place, and we're going to move forward with it."

Eury, Earnhardt's cousin, will move from crew chief to a role in research and development with Hendrick Motorsports.

"I have mixed feelings, and that's just natural," Eury said. "But I enjoy working at Hendrick Motorsports, and this is where I want to be. I'll do whatever I can to help all of our teams and try to be a part of another championship."