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Chad Knaus
Brief Bio
By Gregg Leary
DOB: 8-5-71 (36)
Rockford, IL
Category:Auto Racing -> Sprint Cup
At 14 Crew Chief for his dad
Won Rockford Speedway Championship
1991: Moved to Alabama…worked for Stanley Smith’s stock car team
1993-1997 Hendrick Motorsports…body development of the #24…tire changer
1998: DEI Car Chief for Steve Park
2000: Evernham with Casey Atwood
2001: Melling with Stacy Compton
2002: Hendrick with Jimmie Johnson…Crew Chief of the Year
“A lot of guys that came to the “48” had already worked for the “24.” They knew the system and what was expected in terms of quality and work ethic and the way the cars were built and maintained.”
Jimmie won the pole for the Daytona 500 and got his first win only 10 races into the 2002 season at California.
“Jimmie’s greatest strength as a driver is that he can search and make the car work a little better…he’s the best in the business at finding where the car works best and driving it there.”
“As long as we give Jimmie a car he can drive, he’s always good for a couple positions. If we give him a fifth-place car, he can make the difference and bring it home third. There aren’t many drivers out there who can do that…with Jimmie it’s the norm. He’s always worth a little bit out of pure skill.”