Basics

Name: Chad Knaus
Birthdate: August 5, 1971
Hometown: Rockford, IL
Current residence: Mooresville, NC

Position: Crew Cheif
Team: Hendrick Motorsportsz
Driver: Jimmie Johnson
Sponsor: Lowe's
Car: #48 Chevrolet Impala SS

Biography

Like most racers, Chad Knaus grew up around cars. Born in Illinois, his introduction was immediate as he followed his father, John, around the local Midwest tracks, helping out when he could and anxiously watching when he couldn't.

Knaus' desire for racing continued throughout his adolescence and at age 14 his future success in NASCAR was foreshadowed when he served as crew chief for his father. That year the elder Knaus captured the Rockford Speedway championship with his son calling the shots from the pits. The father-son combination went on to many more victories, capturing the NASCAR Great Northern Series championship and finishing second in the Winston Racing Series.

Nearly two decades later Knaus would be called a champion again- as the leader of the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup championship No. 48 Lowe's team.

However, it was not an easy road to the top of his chosen sport. Knaus' ascent began after high school graduation. Spurred on by his success in the Midwest with his father, Knaus moved to North Carolina in search of more racing glory.

Working for his uncle, Knaus held a steady job but couldn't break into the elite ranks of racing. He was even offered a job as a corporate engineer but decided that racing was his true calling. A brief trip back to Illinois was just that and in 1991 he moved to Alabama, working for Stanley Smith's stock car team as a mechanic and fabricator.

In 1993, Knaus' determination paid off. The No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team, led by crew chief Ray Evernham and driver Jeff Gordon, called and Knaus answered. From 1993 to 1998, Knaus assumed a variety of duties. He started in the body shop as an assistant, gradually working his way through the ranks to the fabrication department. Eventually, he was put in charge of the body development for the No. 24 car and served as a tire changer for the team, proving an integral part of the 1995 and 1997 championship teams.

After the 1997 season, Knaus reluctantly left Hendrick Motorspsorts seeking further advancement in the sport. The organization was stocked with a solid staff but Rick Hendrick vowed that he would one day bring Knaus back.

The Illinois native spent the next few years gaining valuable experience throughout the industry. He initially joined Dale Earnhardt, Inc. as a car chief for driver Steve Park. From there he teamed up with new team owner Ray Evernham and in 2000 helped Casey Atwood with his limited run in the Cup series. The following year, Knaus began working as crew chief with Melling Racing driver Stacy Compton, winning several speedway poles.

The desire to return to Hendrick Motorsports proved too much and in 2002 Knaus rejoined the organization as crew chief for Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet.

With impressive credentials throughout his career as a crew chief Knaus has proven that he and Jimmie Johnson are one of the best driver/crew chief combinations in the business.

Links

Official
Hendrick Motorsports
Lowe's Racing
NASCAR Performance
NASCAR
Wikipedia