By Ryan - Posted on December 2, 2009

Just a little over a week ago, Jimmie Johnson made history by capturing a record 4 Sprint Cup Championship titles in a row. Although Johnson is the man behind the wheel, he isn’t always the one calling the shots. When it comes to NASCAR racing, a team is more than just a driver. It consists of a pit crew (mechanics, tire changers, gas men), spotters, the team manager, and of course, the crew chief.

The role of the crew chief is perhaps the most important on the team. He is responsible for keeping direct communication between the pit crew and the driver at all times during a race. Every decision he makes – or doesn’t make – can affect the outcome of the race. Pit stops, lap times, fuel usage, and tire wear are just some of the factors that the crew chief is responsible for.

Jimmie Johnson and the rest of the Lowe’s team rely heavily on the expertise and almost icy calm of Chad Knaus to talk him through every race. There are times where Johnson becomes flustered and frustrated at the adrenaline fuelled events that are occurring on the track, but Knaus is constantly able to talk him through each situation. He has been described as calculated, obsessed, driven, and emotionally and mentally attached to the number 48 car; Knaus will do anything to win, much to the chagrin of opponents. He has even been slapped with several fines, penalties, and violations for some of his actions. None of this causes Knaus to bat an eye; it’s all for the benefit of the team.

From an early age, Knaus became interested in racing and he set his sights on his ultimate goal – to be a crew chief. Sacrificing the opportunity to go to college and to be a corporate engineer, this dream led him from the position of general fabricator and tire changer for Jeff Gordon, to his current position of crew chief for Jimmie Johnson. Knaus’s obsession and determination helped him lead the number 48 team to historical heights – something never done in the entire lifespan of NASCAR.

Behind this seemingly cold and calculating exterior, lies an animated and enthusiastic racing fan. When asked what he foresaw in the future, Knaus replied with an impish smirk: “I don’t know what I’m going to do when I grow up. I hope I never have to grow up.”

And fans seem to agree. As long as Knaus is partnered with Johnson, it seems that this dream isn’t going to end anytime soon.