CONCORD, N.C. – With 82 wins as a NASCAR Cup Series crew chief, Hendrick Motorsports vice president of competition Chad Knaus ranks third on that list.
Throughout his career, several victories stand out and resonate with Knaus. The seven-time championship-winning crew chief will enter the NASCAR Hall of Fame with driver Jimmie Johnson, with whom he teamed for all those titles and 81 wins from 2002 to 2018. Donnie Allison is also part of the Class of 2024.
RELATED: Determination, details and desire drive Knaus' road to Hall of Fame
Ahead of his induction on Friday night, Knaus highlighted three victories with Johnson for HendrickMotorsports.com. The following is Knaus in his own words looking back at those moments.
PHOTOS: Chad Knaus' historic career at Hendrick Motorsports
April 28, 2002, at Auto Club Speedway: "Up until recently, the only trophy I ever kept in my office was our first very win in Fontana in 2002. It is going into the Hall of Fame in my box, so it is not in my office right now. That one really stands out. I feel like that kind of solidified and started our journey together. If we hadn’t won that race, we would have been fine. It lit the fuse and ignited it, which was pretty special. From a win standpoint, that one means an awful lot."
RACE REPLAY: Watch this event on NASCAR Classics
Oct. 31, 2004, at Atlanta Motor Speedway: "Another win that was important to us was the 2004 Atlanta win after the aircraft accident. That one was something that I think our company needed more than any other victory. To be able to do that, represent Hendrick Motorsports and be there for a moment of pure happiness when there was a lot of sadness around was really important."
Nov. 20, 2016, at Homestead-Miami Speedway: "The seventh championship. The way that happened. The drama that went along with it from the pre-race technical inspection issue (and starting in the back) to charging up and racing in the top five. Maybe not being there and then seeing those guys (Carl Edwards and Joey Logano) have an issue in front of us. Jimmie (Johnson) driving the best laps of his career in those last few laps around Homestead (-Miami Speedway) was a really special moment."
RACE REPLAY: Watch this event on NASCAR Classics
Catch Knaus' induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Friday, Jan. 19, at 8 p.m. ET. The event will stream live on Peacock and will also be broadcast on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
