Hendrick Motorsports' Chad Knaus named Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year
Chad Knaus, crew chief for Hendrick Motorsports driver Jimmie Johnson, has been named the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year for the second straight season.
The announcement was made Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway during Speed’s “NASCAR Raceday” program prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season finale.
After capturing his fifth Wypall crew chief of the race award of 2009 for last weekend's race at Phoenix International Raceway, Knaus moved out of a tie with Darian Grubb, crew chief for Stewart-Haas Racing driver Tony Stewart.
Presenting the program’s 2009 trophy to Knaus was Wypall category manager Tom Merrill and Speed/Fox NASCAR analyst Jeff Hammond. In addition to the limited-edition trophy, Knaus received a check for $20,000.
"This is a team sport and everyone on the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet deserves to have their name on this trophy," said Knaus, who is in contention for a series-record fourth straight championship with Johnson. "I can't thank Wypall enough for this program that honors the crew chiefs - and the team members in my mind. I am so proud of what we have been able to accomplish with this team."
The 2009 crew-chief challenge has been a season-long contest to determine the best crew chiefs in the Cup garage. Following each race, a panel that includes Hammond and crew chiefs Todd Berrier (No. 31 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet with driver Jeff Burton) and Bob Osborne (No. 99 Roush Fenway Racing Ford with driver Carl Edwards) have voted to determine the crew chief that demonstrated the most outstanding strategy and leadership during the event.
Knaus has guided Johnson to seven wins this season and Johnson held a 108-point lead in the standings entering Sunday’s final race at Homestead.
This marks the first time that a crew chief has been selected the program’s crew chief of the year more than once. Past winners are Tony Eury Sr. (driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.), Robbie Reiser (Matt Kenseth), Doug Richert (Greg Biffle) and Mike Ford (Denny Hamlin).
“Chad knows of the importance of the team behind him, but he has demonstrated to be one of the greatest crew chiefs in the history of the sport,” said Hammond, a Wypall spokesman. “My congratulations go to him and his entire crew for another outstanding year.
