General Discussion » Can Tony Jr do for Brad what he couldn't do for Dale?
There weren't that many bad calls on timing and pitstops.
Rea White: Hendrick Motorsports' Chad Knaus remains unfazed
By Rea White - Associate Editor
Monday, November 17, 2008
Crew chief Chad Knaus (right) gives Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, a hug after the duo won their third consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday.
Sam Greenwood
Getty Images for NASCAR
COMMENTARY
Apparently nothing can faze Chad Knaus.
He's been in NASCAR for years, debuting as a crew chief with Melling Racing and driver Stacy Compton in 2000. Prior to that, he gained championship experience working as a tire changer for Jeff Gordon's Hendrick Motorsports team. He returned to the team in 2002 to work as crew chief for an unheralded Jimmie Johnson.
They made their presence known immediately. Knaus and Johnson won the pole position for the season-opening Daytona 500 in their inaugural run - and they've been finishing near the top ever since. In seven seasons of full-time competition, Johnson has never finished worse than fifth in the standings. He won his third consecutive NASCAR Cup title Sunday, matching a 30-year-old mark set by Cale Yarborough. He's also finished as the series runnerup twice.
Obviously, Johnson has an incredible amount of talent mixed with a level of grit and determination to succeed. He has led this team to the sport's top ranks, has shown an incredible ability to adapt and adjust to changes in the cars and all style of tracks the stock cars run on.
But he's also had a lot of background help. And that has come in the form of the calm and focused Knaus.
It is Knaus who has worked diligently to find a way to adapt this car to what Johnson needs, who has listened to his driver's comments and found a way to change a sensation into a mechanical change. It is Knaus who has guided the crew to the top of the sport, who has made the calls others have questioned from time to time in an effort to get his driver to the front.
Take Sunday, when Knaus pulled his driver back to pit road for changes from time to time when analysts were pulling for the team to just stay on the track, get some bonus points and let it ride. Not Knaus. He wanted this car as strong as possible in the end.
Somewhere in their minds, Johnson and Knaus didn't seem able to chase just the championship. With a sizable lead entering the race, they spoke of seeking a win. Clearly that didn't happen as Johnson settled for 15th in the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but you have to admire the effort.
With this championship, Knaus reached a new level in his area of the business. He’s the first crew chief to win three consecutive Cup titles. Yarborough didn’t have the same crew chief in each of the three seasons he won the title.
How far can Knaus go? How far can he take this team? This season showed just what they are made of. Instead of starting the year strong and holding on for the title, the team entered 2008 somewhat confused by NASCAR’s new model car being used in all Cup races this season. There were times when they were completely wrong in setting up for a race, weekends when they really seemed to have no idea where to look for speed.
So they worked even harder. They tested more, they studied more, and they learned. They learned how to get the car ready in the shop and how to pretty much leave it alone at times.
And they improved. At midseason, no one would have picked this team to be the champion. When the Chase started, they labored in the shadow of Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards.
And then they did what they always do – they stepped up their game with the championship on the line. Johnson won three times during the Chase and finished outside the top 10 only twice – both 15th-place finishes.
Through it all, there was Knaus. Directing the calls, guiding the teams, talking endlessly with his driver. And watching him hoist that trophy once more.
Just how focused is he? Shortly after the race ended, Knaus wasn’t wasting time enjoying this title – he was applauding Johnson’s talent and thinking about how to extend the streak to four in a row.
That’s the kind of intensity that just might make that possible.
Mentioned Drivers: Jimmie Johnson
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Comments
17 responses to "Rea White: Hendrick Motorsports' Chad Knaus remains unfazed ". Post a Comment.
Matt Phillips said:
Nov 17, 2008 at 11:01 AMWonderful article Rea! Chad Knaus deserves equal praise as Jimmie, in fact, let's not forget the whole pit crew. These guys have been close to perfect all year. You rarely hear about the #48 needing to come back down pit road to tighten a loose lug nut or receive a pass through penalty because an air hose wasn't where it was supposed to be. Let's celebrate this TEAM accomplishment ... way to go 48 team!
Pat Draper said:
Nov 17, 2008 at 3:41 PMLets tell it like it is. Chad could care less if jimmy got his third championship it was all about chad being the only crew chief to win 3 in a row. That man has such a attitude it makes me sick. I hope they take him off Nascar Performance and This week in Nascar and get a good chief on. I like Boody very much and am glad he's going with MWR. But i really get tired of that cheating no good Knaus on these shows.
Jack Keough said:
Nov 17, 2008 at 3:56 PMok lets tell it like it is Pat your pathetic
Phyllis VanNostrand said:
Nov 17, 2008 at 4:07 PMI like Chad's attitude just fine. He is has intense focus and determination, just like his driver. Boody is a great guy and a good balance on the show but how many races has his driver won, much less championships? Pat, your jealousy is showing.
Tom Meier said:
Nov 17, 2008 at 4:14 PMPat Draper, I want to respond to your comment yesterday about hoping that Jimmie Johnson would hit the wall on the first lap. Did you also wish that Dale Earnhardt would hit the wall on the last lap of the Daytona 500 in 2001? I think it's a shame that someone that calls themselves a "NASCAR fan" would wish something like this knowing that it could cause serious injury or even death. Jimmie has family and loved ones just like everyone else. How do you think they would feel if they read a message like that? GET A LIFE
kevin gautier said:
Nov 17, 2008 at 4:42 PMHere's the deal. Johnson/Knaus have been competing in Cup for seven years. Before winning 3 straight, they were runner up two other times. WOW! Top two 5 out of 7 years. I don't think anyone in history has that kind of a career percentage. Who the heck is Pat Draper & when is someone going to change his soggy diaper and ground him from the computer?
Callaway said:
Nov 17, 2008 at 5:07 PMDoes anyone get the feeling that while the rest of the HMS crew chiefs are off deer hunting or deep seas fishing or on a cruise somewhere exotic there will be a small light on in Chad Knaus's office at HMS with him working on 2009 plans? There is a reason why they win it's because he uses the ample resources of HMS to his advantage and then just flat outworks the others. If I were Rick Hendrick I would watch him closely the guy just seems like he could suffer burnout at some point, to perform at this high a level eventually take a toll.
Ronald Schwalbe said:
Nov 17, 2008 at 5:27 PMI don't know who "Boody" is but BOOTY Barker and Chad both give us great insight into racing.
Tim the Fan said:
Nov 17, 2008 at 6:26 PMPat, there's a few drivers I don't particularly care for, but I would wish none of them needless harm. As far as your jealousy, well why wouldn't you and any non Jimmy, Chad, fan. I am not a real fan of them either, but they rank with the greats, Jeff and Ray to name one set. How bout Matt and Robby? What's Jeff done since Ray left? What's Matt done since Robby left? As long as these two are smart enough to stay together then the Championships are unlimited and surely to surpass seven. Maybe that's your real problem!
Tracy McKay said:
Nov 17, 2008 at 6:34 PMThe tv I was watching showed Chad being very happy for Jimmie. I don't know a thing about cars, but when he speaks I understand. Who would fit your criteria for a good crew chief Pat? And Thank you Tom...I think it is horrible when someone wishes physical harm on a driver...they were doing the same thing with Kyle Busch. I don't care what you think about a driver (or any person for that matter!) you don't wish physical harm to them. It makes me sick to my stomach when I read those posts.
Dennis Harcourt said:
Nov 17, 2008 at 7:05 PMPeople, Pat Draper is not a fan of Nascar. Pat Draper is a fan of Pat Draper. Always posting stupid comments so everyone will talk to him/her as I'm sure, that in real life, Pat Draper has no friends. Just ignore this fool and get back to talking about the best crew chief Nascar has seen in quite awhile. Congrats to Jimmie, Chad and the whole team 48, 3 in a row was a remarkable feat. But 4 will be the icing on the cake.
Brad Sargent said:
Nov 18, 2008 at 8:12 AMMy congrats to Jimmie Chad and all the organization. True NASCAR fans all have a driver that they wish doesn't do well in each race. Well,DaleJr is nothing more than taking up wasted space on the track and needs to hit the same corner as Sr.
Steve C said:
Nov 18, 2008 at 9:35 AMYea Pat sure, if Carl would'nt have cheated he would have won the Championship. (LOL)
Steve C said:
Nov 18, 2008 at 9:36 AMJimmys 48 team was not on the list of cheaters this year, Carls team was.
Tim the Fan said:
Nov 18, 2008 at 3:39 PMMan, I though Pat Draper was the only idiot on here, but Brad Sargent surpassed him easily. Brad's more than an idiot he's a first class A-hole. How could you wish anyone dead? What a jerk a__'s!!!!!!!
Ashley Wobbe said:
Nov 19, 2008 at 1:11 PMFirst off, i think some people need to know how to spell drivers and crew chiefs names right. If your honestly a fan then you probably should know how to spell it right. Next, how could brad wish that jr. was dead? honestly, i'm sure it is extreamly hard in this sport to follow in his dad's footsteps and be as great as he was. And ya i wish Kyle Busch wouldn't do good in races but i don't wish he would die. That's just low. Some people on here need to get a life!! And lastly Congrats to Jimmie and Team. Number 4 next year!!!
schanz gloria said:
Nov 19, 2008 at 3:23 PMWhat a great job Jimmie and Chad did and the whole 48 team!I think they both work extremely hard at what they do, they all deserve it. I think Chad is the best, they work well together, I looking forward to the next win next year! Congrats guys!!