Sporting News' 50 Most Beautiful People: Chad Knaus

By Sporting News Yearbooks staff

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Chad Knaus is crew chief for the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

David Griffin
NASCAR Scene

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Who are NASCAR’s most beautiful people?

The Sporting News asked that question of readers, fans and those who cover the sport, and the results weren’t limited by traditional definitions of beauty. The editors considered fan favorites and sponsor favorites and gave them points, and they also awarded points to “those were were making waves in the sport.”

The results of this non-traditional approach are now out with the publication of NASCAR’s 50 Most Beautiful People. The special edition is now available on newsstands and at the online store at www.streetandsmiths.com.

SceneDaily is running the list, with one person from the top 50 to be featured each day. Only the top selection was ranked, with the rest following in a random order that allows fans to decide who should be ranked where.

Today's installment features Chad Knaus, four-time NASCAR Cup championship crew chief with the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team of Jimmie Johnson.

Born: Aug. 5, 1971
Birthplace: Rockford, Ill.
Current residence: Cornelius, N.C.

In his words:

First job: I was washing cars in a used car dealership. I was working at a detail shop. I was 13 at the time, maybe 12.

Last year ... [We won] our third straight [Cup] championship.

Pet peeve: I’d say, uncleanliness. I like things to be clean and neat and orderly. I’m a little anal retentive, a little type-A.

Can’t live without ... my job. It’s everything I live for. I have a great group of guys. I have a great job. It’s definitely the one thing I’m most proud of and wouldn’t want to be without it.

Life-changing moment: We had a plane crash that took the lives of many who were very close to us. That was probably the largest reality check. It made me realize there’s a lot more to what we do and it means a lot
more to people than what you may think. Watching the Hendricks go through what they did, it makes you understand relationships with people and understand love and what they mean to you.

In 10 years ... I hope that I am married with a child or children and healthy and still involved in the sport.

Vacation: I typically will go to an island, somewhere where I can go scuba diving or snorkeling.

Best race track/city: Obviously Las Vegas is fantastic. It’s a cool city; there’s a lot going on. The facility at the track is awesome, and it’s very fan friendly. But they’ve (race tracks) all got their little twists. Infineon is cool. It’s a neat area. It’s beautiful with the mountains and the vineyards. I like going up there and staying at the winery. A lot of fans like that. There’s the going up and doing the wine tasting and there’s a lot of great restaurants. It’s a lot of fun.

Three wishes: My first wish would be to have a good wife and family. A successful family relationship — that would be awesome. My second wish would be to help kids. A friend of mine has two daughters who have spinal muscular atrophy (a genetic disease that causes muscle degeneration and weak-ness); if I could help them, I would. And my third wish would be to get three more wishes.

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Comments

9 responses to "Sporting News' 50 Most Beautiful People: Chad Knaus". Post a Comment.

1

minkee2 said:
Dec 26, 2009 at 2:04 PM
You can see from his comments why Chad is rated so highly by others in the sport as well as Jimmie and Rick. I just hope he hangs around until Jimmie is done racing. They are such a dynamic team that I can't see any other crew chief with Jimmie.
2

mwallick said:
Dec 26, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Folks, Does anyone know if Chad has re-signed with Hendrick, or is it still open to question...?
3

nascarfan247 said:
Dec 26, 2009 at 9:21 PM
far as i know he resigned with hendrick.
4

Andi said:
Dec 27, 2009 at 2:00 AM
Love his answers. By the way Chad, just putting awareness out there and donating money to foundations or starting your own can help kids. I just wish they would say where the people ranked in the actual magazine like they did last year. I have looked everywhere to find this magazine around here with no such luck. And I'm sorry, I'm paying like $5 for the shipping and handling when the magazine is already like that price. That's just a bit too much. As far as the contract goes: Last I heard, he hadn't really signed anything, but they were already talking about resigning his contract with isn't even up until the end of 2010. I'm pretty sure he's not gonna go anywhere.
5

Werner said:
Dec 27, 2009 at 10:03 AM
wouldn't it be something if he got a higher position along the same lines as Robbie Reiser...he'd be in charge of all the teams....
6

sibbi173 said:
Dec 27, 2009 at 12:50 PM
He sounds like such a great guy....the woman who finally gets him is one lucky gal.
7

annmyers said:
Dec 27, 2009 at 6:35 PM
gag!
8

LUV88AND99 said:
Dec 31, 2009 at 11:47 PM
From what I understand, the guy works constantly and that is is top priority. So unless my job was #1 ahead of everything, I sure wouldn't like being second fiddle all of the time.
9

irishlady said:
Jan 2, 2010 at 8:38 PM
I have had the chance to meet him at Homestead a year ago and at the shop. He was very nice and i enjoyed meeting him. I got to share part of the stage with him at the press conference we did. He is a nice looking man. I wouldn't mind working for him. That would be my dream job. Hope this year will bring you all your wishes.