nascar sprint cup series crew chiefsamericaneg.vo.llnwd.net/o16/nascar/2012/media... · †...

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES / 2012 MEDIA GUIDE

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NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES

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Crew Chiefs

219

Birthdate: July 4, 1964Hometown: Spartanburg, S.C.

STEVE ADDINGTON

Career Wins: 16Career Poles: 9Titles: 0

Car: No. 14 Office Depot/Mobil 1ChevroletTeam: Stewart-Haas Racing

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Joins Stewart-Haas Racing in 2012 as crew chief for 2011 NASCARSprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart after leaving Penske Racingfollowing the conclusion of the 2011 season.

• Finished 11th in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup for the secondconsecutive season with Penske Racing and driver Kurt Busch in 2011.

• Won eight races and finished 10th in the 2008 Chase for the NASCARSprint Cup, in his first year with driver Kyle Busch. He remained Busch’screw chief through first 33 races of ’09.

• Earned first career pole in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with driver J.J.Yeley at Michigan in 2007.

• Spent 15 seasons as crew chief in the NASCAR Nationwide Seriesincluding 11 with Jason Keller.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• In his first full season with driver Casey Mears the pair made 35 starts in2011 posting a season best finish of 12th at Martinsville-2.

• Working with two drivers in 2010, Max Papis for the first 23 races of theseason, then Mears taking over the final 13 races.

• Second half of the 2009 season was his first year with Papis andGermain Racing. Spent first 24 races of 2009 season with driver MichaelWaltrip and Michael Waltrip Racing.

• Spent 2004 season with driver Jason Leffler and Haas CNC Racing in theNASCAR Nationwide Series, earning team’s first victory (Nashville).

• Earned first pole at Rockingham in Feb. 2003 with Dave Blaney. • Began NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew chief career in 2003 with Jasper

Motorsports and driver Dave Blaney.

Birthdate: Oct. 27, 1966Hometown: Bellport, N.Y.

TOMMY BALDWIN JR.


Car: No. 10 Tommy Baldwin RacingChevroletTeam: Tommy Baldwin Racing

Birthdate: March 2, 1971Hometown: Brookneal, Va.

ROBERT “BOOTIE” BARKER


Car: No. 13 GEICO FordTeam: Germain Racing

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Will serve as crew chief for newly acquired Tommy Baldwin Racing driverDavid Reutimann in 2012.

• Started his own team Tommy Baldwin Racing in 2009; as an owner/crewchief, he worked with five drivers.

• Transferred to Competition Director of Bill Davis Racing in 2006.• Guided Kasey Kahne to Rookie of the Year in 2004 and victory in 2005.• Joined Ward Burton at Bill Davis Racing in 1999 and led him to four

victories including the 2002 Daytona 500.• Began crew chief career in 1997 with driver Dick Trickle.


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CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Joins JTG Daugherty Racing as crew chief for the 2000 NASCAR SprintCup Series champion Bobby Labonte in 2012.

• Led driver Jeff Burton with Richard Childress Racing in the first 19 racesof 2011, posting a best finish of 11th (twice Texas-1 and Dover-1).

• Worked with all three RCR drivers in 2008, beginning with Kevin Harvickbefore transferring to Casey Mears in April, then to Burton in October.

• Won 2007 Daytona 500 with driver Kevin Harvick• First NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory (with Harvick) came in 2003 at

Indianapolis.• Began crew chief career in 2002 with Richard Childress Racing and

driver Jeff Green. • Won NASCAR Nationwide Series title with Harvick in 2001.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Joins Richard Childress Racing and driver Jeff Burton for 2012. • 2011 marked Blickensderfer’s first full season with driver David Ragan at

Roush Fenway Racing. The tandem posted two Coors Light poles andRagan’s first series win (Daytona-2).

• Started 2010 season with Matt Kenseth, was then reunited with CarlEdwards in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

• Won 2009 Daytona 500 in first race as NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crewchief, with driver Matt Kenseth.

• Spent 2006-08 seasons as a NASCAR Nationwide Series crew chief inthe Roush Fenway organization.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• In 2012, will crew chief for Mark Martin and Michael Waltrip as theyshare the driving duties of the No. 55 Toyota.

• Led Reutimann in the first 32 races of 2011, posting one pole. • Finished 2010 18th in the standings with driver David Reutimann, posting

one win (Chicago). • In 2009, his first season with driver Reutimann and Michael Waltrip

Racing he yielded the team’s first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win(Coca-Cola 600).

• Crew chief for No. 19 Dodge and driver Elliott Sadler in 2008.• Joined Gillett Evernham Motorsports following the 2005 season.• Began crew chief career prior to 14th race of the 2005 season with MB2

Motorsports and Riggs.

Birthdate: May 29, 1970Hometown: Kernersville, N. C.

TODD BERRIER


Car: No. 47 Kingsford/Clorox/Little Debbie/Kleenex/Bush’s Beans/Lance Snacks ToyotaTeam: JTG Daugherty Racing

Birthdate: June 7, 1976Hometown: Mooresville, N.C.

RODNEY CHILDERS


Car: No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine ToyotaTeam: Michael Waltrip Racing

Birthdate: Nov. 12, 1976Hometown: Decatur, Ill.

DREW BLICKENSDERFER


Car: No. 31 Caterpillar/Wheaties ChevroletTeam: Richard Childress Racing

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Birthdate: Sept. 15, 1953Hometown: Milwaukee, Wis.

JIMMY FENNIG

Career Wins: 33Career Poles: 16Titles: 1 (2004)

Car: No. 17 Best Buy FordTeam: Roush Fenway Racing

Birthdate: April 19, 1970Hometown: Hatboro, Pa.

GREG ERWIN


Car: No. 43 Valvoline/U.S. Air Force FordTeam: Richard Petty Motorsports

Birthdate: July 14, 1971Hometown: Albuquerque, N.M.

DERRICK FINLEY


Car: No. 38 Front Row Motorsports FordTeam: Front Row Motorsports

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 2012 will mark Erwin’s first full season as crew chief for driver AricAlmirola and Richard Petty Motorsports.

• In 2011 he led driver Greg Biffle in the first 18 races of the season. Helater joined Richard Petty Motorsports to lead driver AJ Allmendinger forthe final 16 races.

• Led driver Greg Biffle to sixth in the 2010 Chase for the NASCAR SprintCup, posting two wins (Pocono-1 and Kansas).

• Finished seventh in the 2009 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and thirdin 2008.

• Joined Roush Fenway Racing and driver Biffle in May 2007.• Began crew chief career in May 2005 with Robby Gordon.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• In 2011, he finished fourth in Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup with Kenseth, scoring three poles and three wins.

• Led Kenseth and the No. 17 team to fifth in the 2010 final standings. • In 2002 he began working with driver Kurt Busch and the No. 97 team.

Had 14 victories in four seasons with Busch; including the 2004 NASCARSprint Cup Series championship.

• Reunited with Mark Martin at Roush Fenway Racing in October 1996. He had 14 victories and nine poles in five seasons with Martin.

• Won 1988 Daytona 500 with driver Bobby Allison.• Began crew chief career in 1986 with driver Mark Martin.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Will serve as crew chief for driver David Gilliland at Front RowMotorsports for the 2012 season.

• In 2011 he took a crew chief position at Front Row Motorsports rotatingbetween three drivers the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Jeff Green, TravisKvapil and J.J. Yeley.

• Worked with driver Michael Waltrip at Bill Davis Racing for the first 12events of 2006.

• Joined Bill Davis Racing serving as crew chief for Scott Wimmer for thefinal race in 2004 and then went on to work with Wimmer for the fullseason in ’05.

• Began his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew chief career at BelCar Racingwith driver Todd Bodine in 2003.


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Birthdate: Dec. 1, 1969Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.

KENNY FRANCIS


Car: No. 5 Farmers Insurance ChevroletTeam: Hendrick Motorsports

Birthdate: Nov 3, 1964Hometown: Daytona Beach, Fla.

TONY GIBSON


Car: No. 39 U.S. Army ChevroletTeam: Stewart-Haas Racing

Birthdate: Oct. 20, 1969Hometown: Camden, NY

TODD GORDON


Car: No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil DodgeTeam: Penske Racing

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Begins seventh season with driver Kasey Kahne and first full season withHendrick Motorsports in 2012

• Francis and Kahne earned six wins, six poles and an eighth-place finishin the 2006 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup – their first season together.

• Guided driver Jeremy Mayfield to a berth in the inaugural Chase for theNASCAR Sprint Cup in 2004.

• Began crew chief career in 2003 with Gillett Evernham Motorsports andMayfield.

• A 1993 graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in MechanicalEngineering.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Returning as crew chief for Ryan Newman for 2012, finished 10th in theChase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in 2011.

• Finished ninth in the 2009 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in first season with Stewart-Haas Racing and driver Ryan Newman.

• Served as crew chief at Dale Earnhardt Inc. for drivers Mark Martin, AricAlmirola, Steve Park and Michael Waltrip from 2003-2008.

• At Hendrick Motorsports from 1998-2002, as Jeff Gordon’s car chief.• Worked for two-time series champion Bill Elliott from 1993-1998.• Car chief and mechanic for 1992 series champion Alan Kulwicki.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew chief debut in 2012 atPenske Racing with driver A.J. Allmendinger.

• Crew chief for Penske Racing’s No. 22 NASCAR Nationwide Series teamwith Brad Keselowski in 2011. The duo posted five wins.

• 2009 marked the first full season Gordon worked with driver Jason Kellerin the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

• Worked with Jason Keller for 29 races and Scott Lagasse Jr. for threeraces in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2008.

• In 2006 he served as crew chief for Kenny Wallace and Todd Kluever. in2007 he led drivers Kyle Krisiloff, Marc Mitchell and Jason Keller in theNASCAR Nationwide Series.

• Began crew chief career in 2005 in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

CREW CHIEFS



Crew Chiefs

223

Birthdate: Aug. 5, 1975Hometown: Ormond Beach, Fla.

ALAN GUSTAFSON


Car: No. 24 Drive to End Hunger ChevroletTeam: Hendrick Motorsports

Birthdate: May 22, 1973Hometown: Lancaster, Pa.

JAY GUY


Car: No. 34 Front Row Motorsports FordTeam: Front row Motorsports

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Finished 2011 eighth in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in his firstfull season working with four-time series champion Jeff Gordon. The pairposted three wins.

• Finished 13th in the 2010 series standings posting one pole with driverMark Martin.

• Career highs in poles (seven), wins (5) and final series standings (2009runner-up) in first season with driver Mark Martin.

• Guided Kyle Busch for three seasons (2005-07), earning series Rookie ofthe Year honors in ’05 and consecutive Chase berths in 2006-07.

• Began crew chief career in 2005 with Busch. • Served as lead engineer for the No. 5 team from 2002-2004.• Joined Hendrick Motorsports in February of 2000 as shock specialist.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Paired with driver David Ragan at Front Row Motorsports for 2012.• Began 2011 working the first four races with Richard Petty Motorsports

as crew chief for driver Andy Lally. He then took a crew chief position atFront Row Motorsports rotating between two drivers Travis Kvapil andJ.J. Yeley.

• In 2010, Guy served as crew chief for Brad Keselowski at Penske Racing.The duo posted two top-10 finishes in Keselowski’s first full season.

• Spent 2008 season with Joe Nemechek and 2009 season Regan Smith.• Joined Furniture Row Racing’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team in 2007

as crew chief for Kenny Wallace. • Previous NASCAR Sprint Cup experience came with driver Johnny

Benson during the last two months of the 2003 season.

Birthdate: Oct 9, 1975Hometown: Floyd, Va.

DARIAN GRUBB


Car: No. 11 FedEx Express/Ground/FreightToyotaTeam: Joe Gibbs Racing

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Joins Joe Gibbs Racing as crew chief for driver Denny Hamlin in 2012.• Won the 2011 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship in

his third season at Stewart Haas Racing and driver Tony Stewart. • In 2010, Grubb and Stewart won two races and finished seventh.• Won four races, plus the non-points NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race in ’09.• Worked for Hendrick Motorsports 2001-2008.• First win as crew chief came in substitute role, winning the 2006

Daytona 500 with Jimmie Johnson; also won with Johnson at Las Vegasin 2006.

• Guided Hendrick Motorsports driver Casey Mears to victory in the 2007Coca-Cola 600.

• Holds degree in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech.


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Birthdate: April 29, 1982Hometown: Columbia, Tenn.

NICK HARRISON


Car: No. 51 Thank A Teacher Today/SecurityBenefit ChevroletTeam: Phoenix Racing

Birthdate: August 10, 1977Hometown: Angola, Ind.

CHRIS HEROY


Car: No. 42 Target ChevroletTeam: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing

Birthdate: May 22, 1980Hometown: Cayuga, Ind.

CHAD JOHNSTON


Car: No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts ToyotaTeam: Michael Waltrip Racing

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Will serve as crew chief for driver Kurt Busch at Phoenix Racing in 2012.• 2011 marked his second season at Phoenix Racing as crew chief.

Harrison primarily led driver Landon Cassill (29 races), but also workedwith drivers Mike Bliss (one race), Boris Said (two races) and 1988 serieschampion Bill Elliott (four races).

• Joined Phoenix Racing in 2010 serving as crew chief for 2000 serieschampion Bobby Labonte (nine races) and Landon Cassill (two races).

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew chief debut in 2012 atEarnhardt Ganassi Racing with driver Juan Pablo Montoya.

• Joined Earnhardt Ganassi Racing in December of 2011. • Began crew chief career in 2011 working with drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr.

(two races) and Jimmie Johnson (one race) in the NASCAR NationwideSeries. In all three starts for JR Motorsports his drivers finished in the topfive.

• Served as an engineer at Hendrick Motorsports for seven years primarilyas chief engineer on crew chief Alan Gustafson’s teams.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 2012 will be Johnston’s first full season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Seriesas crew chief for Michael Waltrip Racing and driver Martin Truex Jr.

• Heading into the 18th race of the 2011 season (Kentucky) Johnston wastabbed to take over the crew chief duties of the No. 56 MWR team withdriver Martin Truex Jr. The pair posted two top-five and four top-10 finishes.

• Joined Michael Waltrip Racing as an engineer in 2010.

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Crew Chiefs

Birthdate: June 14, 1968Hometown: Saco, Maine

RICHARD “SLUGGER” LABBE


Car: No. 27 Menards ChevroletTeam: Richard Childress Racing

Birthdate: May 14, 1979Hometown: Portland, Maine

STEVE LETARTE


Car: No. 88 National Guard/AMP EnergyChevroletTeam: Hendrick Motorsports

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Won the 2011 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with PaulMenard in his second season with Menard but first season with RichardChildress Racing; the team closed out 2011 17th in the standings.

• In 2010, crew chief for Richard Petty Motorsports and Menard. • Returned to Robert Yates Racing in 2006. Guided driver Dale Jarrett for

first 20 races of that season. Spent first half of 2007 with MB2Motorsports/ Ginn Racing. Opened 2008 season as crew chief for driverJacques Villeneuve and Bill Davis Racing.

• First career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win came at Daytona in July 2002with Waltrip. Also won 2003 Daytona 500 with Waltrip.

• Began crew-chief career in 1998, when he guided Kenny Irwin Jr. toseries rookie honors in 1998. At Robert Yates Racing from 1998-2000.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 2011 marked his first year as crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr., the duofinished the season seventh in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

• Guided Jeff Gordon to consecutive Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cupberths from 2006-10.

• All 10 of Letarte’s NASCAR Sprint Cup victories have come with driverJeff Gordon.

• Began crew-chief career following the 26th race of the 2005 season withfour time series champion Jeff Gordon. Earned first career victory sixweeks later on Oct. 23 at Martinsville Speedway.

• Crew member on all four of Gordon’s championship teams (1995, 1997,1998 and 2001).

• Joined the No. 24 team and Hendrick Motorsports in 1995 at age 16.

Birthdate: Aug. 5, 1971Hometown: Rockford, Ill.

CHAD KNAUS

Career Wins: 53Career Poles: 27Titles: 5 (2006, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10)

Car: No. 48 Lowe’s ChevroletTeam: Hendrick Motorsports

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• First crew chief in NASCAR history to win five consecutive NASCAR SprintCup Series titles.

• Second all-time among crew chiefs in series championships with five. • Has finished in the top five in eight of his nine seasons with Jimmie

Johnson; the duo has competed in every Chase for the NASCAR SprintCup since the format’s 2004 debut.

• Returned to Hendrick Motorsports in 2002 as Jimmie Johnson’s crewchief. The pair won three races in their first season together.

• Began crew-chief career in 2000 with Melling Racing and driver StacyCompton.

• Served as a tire changer for driver Jeff Gordon’s original pit crew.

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Birthdate: September 2, 1963Hometown: Kennett Square, Penn.

GENE NEAD


Car: No. 98 Phil Parsons Racing FordTeam: Phil Parsons Racing

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Joined HP Racing in 2011 as crew chief for Michael McDowell. • In 2010 Nead served as crew chief for Robby Gordon Motorsports with

driver P.J. Jones for two races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. • Joined Michael Waltrip Racing as interim crew chief with driver Michael

Waltrip and the No. 55 team for the final eight races of the 2009 season.Prior to that, Nead was served as crew chief for JTG Daugherty Racingwith Michael McDowell in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

• In 2008 he led 1988 series champion Bill Elliott at Wood Brothers Racingin two series races.

• 2007 marked debut as NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew chief workingwith drivers Robby Gordon and P.J. Jones at Robby Gordon Motorsportsand 1988 series champion Bill Elliott at Wood Brothers Racing.

Birthdate: June 24, 1972Hometown: Boylston, Mass.

KEVIN MANION


Car: No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/McDonald’s ChevroletTeam: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Finished 2011, 27th in the standings with driver Jamie McMurray. • In his first season with driver Jamie McMurray (2010), posted three wins

(Daytona 500, Brickyard 400 and the Bank of America 500). • Spent four consecutive seasons (2006-09) as crew chief for driver Martin

Truex Jr. • Earned first career NASCAR Sprint Cup series win and pole with Truex in

2007. Also participated in first Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. • Captured back-to-back NASCAR Nationwide Series championships in

2004 and 2005 with Truex.

Birthdate: January 28, 1963Hometown: Verdun, France

PHILIPPE LOPEZ


Car: No. 36 Tommy Baldwin RacingChevroletTeam: Tommy Baldwin Racing

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Will work with Tommy Baldwin Racing and driver Dave Blaney in 2012. • Worked with three drivers in 2011, Dave Blaney (eight races), Geoff

Bodine (three races) and Joe Nemechek (17 races). Lopez’s best finish of’11 came with Blaney finishing third at Talladega-2.

• Was named crew chief for NEMCO Motorsports No. 87 team withowner/driver Joe Nemechek in 2009.

• From 1997 till 2006 Lopez worked with a number of drivers, notablySteve Park, Hall of Fame inductee Darrell Waltrip, Dave Blaney, RonHornaday Jr., Geoffrey Bodine, Hut Stricklin, Kenny Wallace and Ricky.

• Served as crew chief for driver Hut Stricklin for the full 1996 season. • In 1995 Lopez led Ward Burton for 20 races. • Began crew-chief career in 1994 working with driver Ward Burton.


Crew Chiefs

227

Birthdate: June 5, 1973Hometown: Chester, Pa.

BOB OSBORNE


Car: No. 99 Aflac/Fastenal/Subway/Scotts/Kellogg’s/Best Buy FordTeam: Roush Fenway Racing

Birthdate: April 9, 1975Hometown: Zephyrhills, Fla.

BRIAN PATTIE


Car: No. 15 Five-Hour Energy ToyotaTeam: Michael Waltrip Racing

Birthdate: Feb. 9, 1964Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.

TODD PARROTT


Car: No. 9 Stanley FordTeam: Richard Petty Motorsports

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• With driver Carl Edwards, finished 2011 tied in points with championTony Stewart. Edwards lost the tiebreaker (Stewart has fives wins toEdwards’ one).

• Finished the 2010 season fourth in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cupand won the final two races of the season (Phoenix-2 and Homestead)with Carl Edwards.

• Guided Edwards to series-high nine wins in 2008 and a second-placefinish in the final standings. Due to an early season suspension, one ofthe wins was credited to interim crew chief Chris Andrews.

• Led Edwards to a third-place finish in 2005, ninth in ’07 and 11th in ’09. • Made crew chief debut at Darlington in 2004 for the No. 99 team and

driver Jeff Burton at Roush Fenway Racing.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Finished the 2011 season 19th in the standings with driver MarcosAmbrose at JTG Daugherty Racing, posting Ambrose’s first win (WatkinsGlen).

• In 2009 he worked with Roush Fenway Racing and driver Matt Kenseth(17 races) before moving to Richard Petty Motorsports and working withElliott Sadler (18 races).

• Worked with Bobby Labonte and Petty Enterprises in 2006. • Won 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship with driver Dale

Jarrett.• Won 1996 Daytona 500 with driver Dale Jarrett. • Began crew chief career in 1995 with Yates Racing and driver Ernie

Irvan.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Joins Michael Waltrip Racing in 2012 and will serve as crew chief fordriver Clint Bowyer.

• Led the No. 42 team and driver Juan Pablo Montoya for the first 19 racesof the 2011 season.

• Posted first career series win (Watkins Glen) in 2010 with driver JuanPablo Montoya.

• Earned first Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup berth in first full season(2009) with driver Montoya.

• Took over the No. 42 team for the final 25 races of 2008.• Joined Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates in 2004 to lead the team’s

NASCAR Nationwide Series program.

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Birthdate: March 17, 1977Hometown: Watertown, N.Y.

MATT PUCCIA


Car: No. 16 3M FordTeam: Roush Fenway Racing

Birthdate: December 8, 1967Hometown: Sumter, S.C.

JASON RATCLIFF


Car: No. 20 Home Depot/Dollar GeneralToyotaTeam: Joe Gibbs Racing

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Jason Ratcliff will debut as crew chief for driver Joey Logano and the No.20 Joe Gibbs Racing team in 2012.

• Over the past three seasons Ratcliff has led the No. 18 team to two con-secutive NASCAR Nationwide Series owner championships (2009 and2010) and 30 wins.

• Ratcliff joined Joe Gibbs Racing in 2005 working with J.J. Yeley in theNASCAR Nationwide Series.

• In 2003 he led David Green in the NASCAR Nationwide Series postingthree wins and finishing second in the final standings. He continued towork with Green in 2004.

• In 1999 he began his crew chief career leading Casey Atwood in theNASCAR Nationwide Series in his rookie season at Brewco Motorsports.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 2012 marks the first full season Matt Puccia will serve as crew chief fordriver Greg Biffle and the No. 16 team.

• Named crew chief for the No. 16 Roush Fenway Racing team with GregBiffle heading into the 19th race of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.

• Led driver Paul Menard full time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in2010. The duo finished the season fifth in the standings.

• In 2009 Puccia moved to the Nationwide Series as crew chief for a partial schedule with Menard before the team raced full time in 2010.

• Began crew chief career in 2006 with the No. 50 Roush Fenway RacingNASCAR Camping World Truck Series team, working with Carl Edwardsand David Ragan among other drivers.

• Joined Roush Fenway Racing in 2004.

Birthdate: March 12, 1974Hometown: Marshfield, Vt.

DAVE ROGERS


Car: No. 18 M&Ms/Interstate Batteries Toyota Team: Joe Gibbs Racing

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Finished the 2011 season 12th in the standings, making the Chase forthe NASCAR Sprint Cup for the second consecutive season with driverKyle Busch. The team posted four wins.

• Made the Chase in his first full season with Kyle Busch, finishing the sea-son eighth in the standings with three wins.

• Became driver Kyle Busch’s crew chief prior to the November 2009 raceat Texas.

• Spent 2006-09 seasons as fulltime crew chief in the NASCAR Nationwideseries, guiding JGR driver Joey Logano to four poles and five wins withNo. 20 team (2009).

• Won 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series owner title with No. 20 team.

Birthdate: Nov. 5, 1965Hometown: Saco, Maine

PETE RONDEAU


Car: No. 78 Furniture Row Racing ChevroletTeam: Furniture Row Racing

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Led Regan Smith to his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory(Darlington) in 2011. The pair finished the season 26th in the standingsin their first full season together.

• Promoted from car chief to crew chief for Furniture Row Racing in May of2010 with driver Regan Smith.

• Previous crew chief at DEI for Dale Earnhardt Jr. from January-May of2005 and Michael Waltrip from October-November in 2004.

• Prior to joining Furniture Row Racing in 2010, served as director ofresearch and development for Richard Petty Motorsports from 2005-2009. Also worked at Jasper Motorsports from 1998-2001 and DEI, 2002to May 2005.


Crew Chiefs

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Birthdate: November 3, 1968Hometown: South Royalton, Vt.

SHANE WILSON


Car: No. 29 Budweiser ChevroletTeam: Richard Childress Racing

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Will serve as crew chief for driver Kevin Harvick at Richard ChildressRacing in 2012.

• Finished the 2011 season 13th in the standings in his first full season inthe NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with Clint Bowyer.

• Won one Chase race with Bowyer in 2010.• Crew chief for RCR and driver Kevin Harvick’s 2006 NASCAR Nationwide

Series title team.• Crew chief in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Penske Racing in 2004-

2005.• Crew chief in 2002 for Brendan Gaughan’s Rookie of the Year season in

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

CREW CHIEFS


Birthdate: Feb. 13, 1960Hometown: Spartanburg, S.C.

DONNIE WINGO


Car: No.21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane FordTeam: Wood Brothers Racing

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Won the 2011 Daytona 500 with Wood Brothers Racing and Trevor Bayne. • In 2010 worked with driver David Ragan and No. 6 team for majority of

the season then moved to the Wood Brothers Racing and led driver TrevorBayne in his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start.

• Reunited with driver Jamie McMurray at Roush Fenway Racing in 2009;the two combined for one win (at Talladega in October).

• Guided Juan Pablo Montoya to Rookie of the Year (2007).• Had two top fives and eight top 10s in 2006 with driver Casey Mears and

Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates.• Joined Ganassi in 2003. Led the then-rookie McMurray to first pole.• First NASCAR Sprint Cup victory came with Morgan Shepherd in Atlanta in

November 1990.

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Birthdate: April 24, 1977Hometown: Milford, N.Y.

PAUL WOLFE


Car: No. 2 Miller Lite DodgeTeam: Penske Racing

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• In his first full season as a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew chief Wolfeled driver Brad Keselowski to a fifth-place finish in the Chase for theNASCAR Sprint Cup posting three wins (Kansas-1, Pocono-2 and Bristol-2) and a Coors Light pole.

• Won 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship with driver BradKeselowski.

• Led Keselowski to six wins, five poles and 26 top-five finishes during2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series season.

• Made 16 starts as a driver in the Nationwide Series from 2003-2005.

Birthdate: April 21, 1967Hometown: Berlin, Conn.

GREG ZIPADELLI

Career Wins: 34Career Poles: 13Titles: 2 (2002, ’05)

Car: No. 10 GoDaddy.com ChevroletTeam: Stewart Haas Racing

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 2012 will mark the first season for Zipadelli as the Competition Directorat Stewart Haas Racing, in addition to working with the No. 14 and 39teams he will serve as crew chief for Danica Patrick in a 10-race schedule in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

• Finished 2011 with driver Joey Logano 24th in the final standings. • Guided Logano to one win and 2009 Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors. • Won two NASCAR Sprint Cup titles with driver Tony Stewart (2002, 2005).• Won Brickyard 400 twice with Stewart (2005, 2007).• Began crew-chief career in 1999 with Joe Gibbs Racing and Stewart,

who won series Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors.

nascar sprint cup series crew chiefsamericaneg.vo.llnwd.net/o16/nascar/2012/media... · †...

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