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 champion again. However, this time it would be in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as the leader of the No. 48 Lowe's team, winner of back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007.
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.
Knaus had an immediate impact, leading the rookie team to unprecedented success in 2002. That season the team earned three wins, four poles, six top-five and 21 top-10s finishes. As a result, Knaus took home crew chief of the year honors.
Putting to rest any talk of a sophomore slump the team vaulted up the point standings in 2003, finishing second with three wins, two poles, 14 top-five and 20 top-10 finishes.
The 2004 season proved another winning one as the team won a season high eight races, one pole, 20 top fives and 23 top 10s. The team, who earned pit crew of the year honors, led the points through most of the season and pulled out a nail biting performance in the final race for a run at the championship, finishing a mere eight points out of the top spot.
Success continued in 2005 as the Lowe's team went into the final race of the season with a shot at winning the championship for the second consecutive year. The team finished fifth in the final point standings, amassing four wins, one pole, 13 top-five and 22 top-ten finishes.
In 2006, the prize the team had worked so hard for was finally theirs. It was storybook year with wins in the sports two most prestigious events- the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400. Victories ensued at Las Vegas, Talladega, Martinsville and the All-Star race. The team's record included a pole, 13 top-five and 24 top-10 finishes. Knaus' hard working crew took home pit crew of the year honors again.
The fairy tale run continued in 2007 as the No. 48 Lowe's team captured its second consecutive championship- a feat last accomplished by Jeff Gordon's No. 24 team in 1998. The team, led by Knaus, launched an incredible run to the title, winning four of the final five races and ending the season with 10 wins, four poles, 20 top-five and 24 top-10 finishes. The team once again was honored for their work in the pits as the 48 crew walked away with the coveted Sprint Cup trophy.
With impressive credentials throughout his career, Knaus has proven that he and his driver are one of the best driver/crew chief combinations in the business.
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