A Real Question: Who was the best crew chief in the modern era?

Question

Have you all noticed the amount of "fake" questions lately? Someone is asking loads of questions (2-4 at a time and changing their names) and then they all get resolved with the same person as the best answerer. Anyway, who would you consider to be the best crew chief NOT doing it anymore (I don't just want the crew chief of your favorite driver)? Names like Evernham and Shelmerdine come to mind but I didn't follow NASCAR much in the 70's (just a kid) and 80's (didn't care at the time). Thank you to the real fans that don't have agendas but just enjoy chatting about racing.

Answer 1

ANY BODY CAN MAKE A NEVER ENDING LIST OF GOOD CREW CHIEFS !! BUT LARRY MAC ACTUALLY GUIDED BRETT BODINE TO VICTORY LANE!HE CAN'T EVEN KEEP PACE CAR UP FRONT!! SO I SAY LARRY MAC!! ANDY PETREE CLOSE SECOND! WHO ELSE COULD HAVE GOT HARRY GANT IN WINNER'S CIRCLE 4 RACES IN A ROW!! CAME WITHIN 5-6 LAPS OF 5 STRAIGHT BUT A LOOSE BRAKE LINE AND DALE SR. PUT AN END TO THAT!!

Answer 2

It’s hard to say for me. I think being a good crew chief it takes getting all the parts to work smoothly. From some of the answers people didn't ready your question. You said the ones NOT doing it anymore. Several come to mind: Evernham, Sherlmerdine, and Inman. But it also comes to my mind the best chemistry with their drivers. Evernham with Gordon (not a fan of either), look what They accomplished together. And Shelmerdine with Earnhardt Sr. And Inman with Petty. Hammonds with Waltrip. I think what makes them great crew chiefs is the they had chemistry with their drivers and crew members. Which means they were able to pull the best out of them, even if the car was not at the level it needed to be.

Answer 3

Evernham is/was the best chassis man in nascar. Look how many races Jeff G fought an ill-handling racer in the early laps to having the quickest car on the track by race end. If they'd stayed together there's little doubt Gordon would have 7+ cups by now. Another of the finest chiefs was Jeff Hammond- put ol' DW to his 3 cups. Knaus & Zippy both have the teams & push to be among the greatest... Back in the Olde Days? no question: Smokey Yunick.

Answer 4

For my money it was Glen Wood. Those guys revolutionized the modern pit stop. I would also consider Maurice Petty, Kirk Shelmerdine, Andy Petree, and Ray Evernham amongst the upper echelon in this area.

Answer 5

In no real order;
Junior Johnson
"Suitcase" Jake Elder
Andy Petree
Kirk Shelmerdine
Glen Wood
Maurice Petty
Ray Everham
Larry McReynolds
Jeff Hammonds
Barry Dodson
"Fatback"McSwain
Buddy Parrot
Harry Hyde
Smokey Yunick
As for the clowns that are harrasing the NASCAR fans;
they are fun to pick on.But most of the time ignore them.
That's all I have to say about that.

Answer 6

Evernham in the late 90s with Gordon. they completely dominated from 95-98.

Answer 7

I think that Ray Everham when he was a crew chief for Jeff Gordon was a really good time in both of their careers. Jeff Gordon won 4 Winston Cup championships, and he wants to win a Nextel Cup championship, he said that in an interview, as he knows his are all Winston Cups because he looks at them so he should know. That was a hilarious moment. I also think that Robbie Loomis another crew cheif for Jeff Gordon, was a great crew cheif and helped Jeff Gordon capture alot of wins, but he works for Petty now instead of Hendrick.

Answer 8

I would say Ray Evernham. Him and Jeff Gordon accomplished something I think people would be hard pressed to match in the modern era. Especially the 13 win season.

Answer 9

I would have to say that it would be either "Zippy" or "Pops" (Tony Eury Sr), possibly even Ray Evernham... though he is not a crew chief these days. There are many that come to mind and I am sure that the opinions will be many!

Answer 10

Evernham would probably be mine he brough a lot of new things to the sport and succeeded with a very young Jeff Gordon. Still continues to have success to this day in other aspects of the sport.