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Dale Jr. Download: Chad Knaus' Incredible NASCAR Journey
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- čas přidán 19. 08. 2024
- It's a Chad Knaus few ever get to know. Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits down with the 7-time NASCAR Championship Crew Chief in a wide-open interview on the Download.
Knaus' journey to becoming Jimmie Johnson's crew chief started in the grassroots midwest wrenching on his father's Late Model racecars. That short track grind taught many valuable lessons that he took with him on an unlikely journey to the heart of Stock Car Auto Racing, Charlotte, N.C. Knaus speaks of the failures in his first attempts to get into NASCAR, and how it landed him back home, and far away from his dream of becoming a big-time crew chief.
A bold phone call and an overnight stay in the Hendrick Motorsports parking lot finally opened the door for the journeyman crew member.
Catch the full interview on dirtymomedia.com or any podcasting platform.
Wow, what a great story. Slept in the parking lot, no place to live, no plan, just a goal and the drive to work 25 hours a day. It's people like this that made nascar so great.
Pretty good trick to work 25 hrs in a 24 Hr day.
Has there ever been a better interviewer than Dale Jr.?
Chad's father John Knaus was a very good racer in the state of Illinois and when Chad got old enough he started working on his father's team and eventually became crew chief. He was taught well.
I guess it's kind of randomly asking but does anyone know a good website to watch newly released series online?
@Brayden Thomas Flixportal =)
@Zyaire Benson thanks, I went there and it seems to work :D Appreciate it !!
@Brayden Thomas Happy to help :)
Rockford. I lived in Illinois for a year and a half almost and Rockford was a little ways from where I was living, but I know that is Northern Illinois almost.
Man Chad is probably the smartest man in NASCAR, his drive got him to 7 time CHAMPIONSHIP Crew Chief 5 in a row, and 84 wins counting William Byrons, millionaire and that dont count all the time he was just working and being on the 24 team. This is an awesome story. Congrats on being promoted, keep them Hendrick cars winning buddy.
Great interview next step for Chad is the Hall of Fame it would be awesome if both Chad and Jimmie get induced at the same time Wishing everyone well
Chad must be in the HoF. Absolutely.
@@sherrisRN Smokey Yunick also should be there HOF
These stories from their beginnings is absolutely wonderful.
LEGEND!!!! Wpuld love to just sit down and have a conversation with this guy!!!
Him and Jimmie made history for sure!! Thanks for the memories.
This story never gets old. Amazing seeing where chad started to where he came.
Crazy how alike Jimmie and Chad sound to me. You can tell he's had a lot of influence on JJ.
one of the original Rainbow Warriors🤗
Not really he left hendricks for awhile then came back
@@chrisrogers3175 He was. Front tire changer on the 24 crew. He left for the opportunity to be a car/crew chief at DEI after Gordon's second championship, and returned to Hendrick to set up the 48 team.
@@jamesscully529 according to his biography, he was rear tire changer
There are a lot of stories like that back in the day. I was told several of them by guys like Tiger Tom, Glen Bopp, Dave Vaselnuk, Ray Stonkis and even Papa Joe Hendrick on Monday mornings at the Speedway Amoco where he came in and sat at the table having a breakfast biscuit talking about Sunday's race.
In Dec. 98 I arrived in Charlotte, $400 in my pocket, got a space at the RV park across the speedway for $300 in the $400 motorhome I bought in CA and knew absolutely no one. By Christmas I was broke, keeping warm in a sleeping bag with a blow dryer. Picked up odd jobs like building Legends cars at 600 Racing and by 2001 I had a job crew chiefing a Truck team and then 9/11 happened. 5000 NASCAR jobs disappeared for almost a year. NASCAR changed after that and the stories like these were a part of history that were never to be the stuff of legends ever again.
My only regret is that I didn't leave for NC a few years sooner because the 90's were the last days of Chad's type of opportunity .
I used to have lunch with Pete who was the fab shop foreman at HMS every Sunday and watch the race. By 2000 he told me getting hired at Hendrick required at least 1-2 years with a top 3 series team first. I was almost at that point. There is a LOT to be said about timing. If you have a dream, don't wait like I did, GO for it ASAP.
My Dad was on the team with him as gasman when he was with Stanley Smith. I have a VHS video at one pit stop practice at Stanley’s where Chad was teaching me how to change tires. Chad is a great guy that I wish I could get reconnected with one day.
Damn, I could totally see Chad's story made into a movie!
The things he has done for the 24&48 are truly nothing but amazing!He set a bar that I don't think anyone can beat! He's priceless,they can try to make it to the bar he has set! Getting there will be hard enough setting a new heights on that bar,not in this life! Historical is what this guy did!He is the goat at Hendricks,there will never be another Chad at Hendricks!Thank you Chad for you hard work it shined!Thank You!
Hard to say whether he or evernham was better though
You might be right we will never know but Chad's wins-poles-top5-top10-and championships says he is but I agree we will never know but I do respect your opinion and agree with you!
My respect level for Mr Knaus went up so much after hearing how much he wanted to be in NASCAR and what he did to get there.
Wow just one lucky guy. Very smart also
ABSOLUTLY A GREAT STORY !!! ... CONGRADULATIONS CHAD KNAUS ON HIS PROMOTION....
👍Jimmie and Chad - best duo since Batman and Robin.
🏁🇺🇲Stay well. Go in peace.
Some years ago, we were on vacation, stopped at Hendrick, standing in the lobby of the 48 garage. Our young granddaughter was a huge fan of Jimmy Johnson and knew who Chad was. He and two others came walking out of the work area through the lobby. To this day , she regrets that she was so starstruck, she just stared, open-mouthed, as he walked through and was gone!
Good luck on your new career Chad. You and Jimmie were a force to be reckoned with in the day. You are most definitely the definition of friendship. Even if Jimmie is moving on I will still cheer for the "new" 48 in Alex Bowman. Also I will be keeping an eye on Jimmie. Hi to Junior. Greetings from Canada 🇨🇦👋
Good luck to Chad knaus
So cool hearing him talk about Rockford Speedway and racing in the midwest. Rockford is my hometown and home track
Spent the 70's and early 80's at Rockford Speedway since we lived a mile away (parent's still do) ! great times/memories of the 1/4 mile track!
Awesome track
Call him what you want, but this man is a genius.
Wow! I live in So IL & between middle ‘90’s- 2007 worked for late model team (Burwell racing).. I loved it!
One of my friends has been at Hendrick for years. I usually only see him around Thanksgiving but loves it. I believe he built shocks that where eventually taken and made illegal. Lol
Watched this episode on my DVR this morning another great one. Chad is going to take HMS to another level as VP of Competition.
Awesome podcast! Great to hear stories from Chad. Such a fan! I wish I could be a fly on the wall to hear some of the stories y’all tell. Look forward to next weeks and hopefully some podcasts through the off season! Thanks everyone at dirty mo media!
I'm glad Dale and Chad are friends. I was with my wife and her BF at Pocono. Chad rolled up in a golf cart. He signed for the BF, and the wife. But once he saw me in my Dale Jr. Bud#8 t shirt he scoffed at me completely blew me off as if I wasn't even there. Wife and her friend both were like "wow, he did NOT like your Junior gear!" Wife wore Gordon shirt, and the BF was also a Junior fan. I was convinced that the 48 crew despised DEI. No big deal though, just sharing my experience. Is what it is!
Jimmie Johnson doesn't win 7 championships without Chad Knaus, and vice versa.
you
Not taking anything away from Jimmie, he’s a legend, but Knaus could have won a lot with quite a few drivers.
@@BLINC606 and jimmie could have done a lot with out chad
How many non-chase championships did they win???
@@bigglilwayne7050 very from person to person technically 0 people who don't like the chase say 3. people like me who believes they would have race diffrently so there for championships would vary are unknown
Listened to the entire interview today, TWICE! What an amazing success story. Loved the part about the MBS survey 😎 RED!
Cool story Chad. Congratulations on your success.
Interview was way too short. So short that I listened to it twice, and still want more. I know Chad knaus has way more to tell us
thats why you listen to the podcast that this is from...
I've dropped that same line about 21 yrs ago when I started working for one of the largest UK mobile providers when I started with my customer service team, you should have seen the guys face. I think his chin hit the desk bounced back up and he was quiet for 3mins felt longer than that or so the beautiful woman said.
Did I well I surpassed it, I used to be left in control of 4 - 8 teams no training given to me and the best words I ever heard was 'cause you can be trusted'.
That's what Mr Everham saw in Mr Knaus.
The comment about sleeping at Hendrick Motor Sports cracked me up. We're down at Charlotte for a race or auction or something and go looking for their complex. It was hardly a complex then, it was a metal building in the middle of nowhere. Small sign, no fence, no security lights, no nothing.
But up against the building were several ruined Good Years, and a busted up hood out for the trash. I'm sure that they were gone by sun up.
Times sure have changed.
I did not know Chad lived in Chelse Al. I passed through the area twice a day when I worked near by. Great interview, thanks
Wait a moment , I actually drove to Hendrick Motor Sports in 2012 at Christmas Holidays , Everyone was off for Holidays and I was able to Park right in front of the 88/48 shop and get out and walk around !
Hard work! Awesome!
Love this story ..
Awesome!
Damn, such a good story i actually want HMS to succeed now... might even pull for Chase this Sunday to win the Cup
I am
@@jennifursun3303 he won
@@connortremmel i know!!
Impressive story.
So many of the guys Junior's had on lately just seem to have one lucky break after another. I am SO envious about that. If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all.
You and me both
Definitely not lucky breaks, briscoe volunteered for over a year chad worked in a factory for 4. The difference is they never gave up, if you put yourself in a position long enough opportunities appear
@@andrewramthun7179 so true.
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."
Rockford speedway! My home track
I'm not to far from Rockford speedway, in Illinois sense, I'm only an hour and a half south. My closest track is actually Grundy County Speedway, if you know where that is.
@@LexiGutz yeah I do. I live a hr from Rockford. I’m probably going to begin racing at Rockford next yesr hopefully
You know whatwould be cool it would be cool to see dale jr in nascar again
Yep
Damn, what a story!
All I could think about during this entire interview is why no one said anything about his hair someone should have made a gesture or something!!!! 😂
He slicked it with water from a 7/11 fountain drink cup. What were they going to say?😂😂😂
Channeling his inner ‘eddie’
I thought the same!
What a story!!
Cant wait till Dale gets his Cup team. Dirty Mo is gonna look awsome on a Cup car
Nototiouss_EV, NOT likely going to happen anytime soon.
I never knew Chad worked with DEI before till I heard him talk about it on The Podcast
From tire changer on the Rainbow Warriors in the late 90s to 7 time Champion as a crew chief.
MR EE, famous cheater, Ray Evernham, taught Chad Knaus very well.
My favourite part is the questions about creativity
😂
LOVED the fish story thanks Chad it was too funny
Awesome story
cool story!!
What a story great
That fish hook hanging from his head is epic!
Love this! You need to have your brother Kerry on here!
Niccole Hill, Kerry has already been there.
Great story!
A M A Z I N G !
Another smart thing Chad did was getting his hair procedure.
His hair is all natural bro
Mr J nah he was balding 15-20 years ago. Not a bad thing though. He looks good now.
@@mrj3217
Yea, what Brad said.
@@mrj3217 hahaha
@@mrj3217 do a google of “Chad Knaus hair” look on google images, you’ll find your answer lol.
I never liked Chad K. when he and Jimmie Johnson were winning everything.....But after hearing his story I have a great deal of respect for him. I am still not a fan of Jimmie Johnson though lol
Cool story bro. No really, I thoroughly enjoyed this story!
Rest in Peace stanley smith
I love knaus
Not to be a Debby Downer. My son Bobby passed away on Oct 3rd Tom opiate overdose from fentanyl. But he loved your channel and during the covid lockdown, he would watch your blogs and channels and got me hooked. He asked only 1 question while we we watching the 3 doors down video of you and Tony. How much driving did you guys actually do in the video. God bless you and Chad us the best.
So sorry for your loss! Prayers for your family!
Sorry to hear that.
My condolences as well.
Glad your son and you could do that together.
My deepest sympathies to you and your family,Jeff. Tough times for everyone. Greetings from Canada. 🇨🇦👋🙏🌈🦋
God bless 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Mark Martin....heck yeah. I never knew this about Chad.
I didn't Chad was from Rockford... 😜 I still remember the 1/4 mile bull ring track, there.
I was hoping for a Stacy Compton story lol
Is there anyway you can do an interview without Mike Davis? Just try it 1 time please and poll what the fans think.
Dang!! I live in Saint Pauls NC, about 15 miles north of Lumberton! Surprised he made it out of Robeson County, lol!! This place is like a black hole. It'll suck your soul straight out out your eye balls! Seriously though, I was shocked to hear Lumberton NC come out of his mouth!
Chad Knaus the only guy who can make a car pass tech without any problems
BMC, FALSE.
Wow!!
Junior I like your program but I was wondering is why you haven't done any of the Great dirt track drivers like Matt Shepherd Billy pauch Jr or Billy Van Pelt
Old racing guru tells a story of teaching Chad to drink whiskey when he was a teenager after a race one night in Minnesota
Holy cow what a story chad is the og rainbow warriors i thought that was so cool when he was a crew chef
Wow
Really!
Who is we?
Man what a good story by Chad. Big risk for what he had to do to work for Hendrick but it worked out!
FYI, anyone who uses the deathbed grandma excuse cannot be trusted with the size of a fuel line
wonder if the girl friend got her car back
Imagine if Knaus went to work for Alan Kulwicki the amount of races/championships they would have won....
At 6:45 he talks about Ronnie crooks, like the dirt late model shock guy Ronnie crooks?
What i cant believe ia yall let this man sit there for so long with his hair like that😂😂😂
Does any body like chad
what I don't understand is. why wouldn't it happen? like you're telling me people don't just call & ask to speak to someone
When was my chance at driving Dale Jr?
👍
Chad has nice hair.. reminds me of thst comb over Bill Murray in kingpin..😂😝
How did this team go from the most winning, dominate team in NASCAR to struggling to finish a race or running in the back in what seems like overnight? What went so wrong so quick?
Blame NASCAR and Haas and Gibbs whining but now it seems Hendrick is coming back to life and with Larson joining the mix
The Pocono crash where he lost his brakes is what happened! Look at his stats before and after. Same cars, same rules, same race tracks the rest of the year. I'm a big JJ fan but the stats tell the story.
Ron Frame I think your exactly right. Look at the history. Right after that race at Pocono A change took place. Look at the statistics. It clearly shows Johnson went from running up front and always a threat to win and statistically someone you would no ever be against to running in the far back. I think it might be that particular race that broke something. Injured something. Dislodged or exposed something that literally ended the winning or ended his incredible successful run. Notice " NOBODY " is talking about this. Like this epic downturn is normal.
"Chase" championships dont count IMO, all the "chase" format did was kill NASCAR....
Hey Dale translate this to English please. I don't speak goat
Underrated comment 👌🏼👏🏼
It’s in code.
Cheating’ Chad. One of the best
Jeff Gordon
that piece of hair is bugging me too
Can’t stand the word cheater when it comes to him. Because he studied that rule book and found poop holes and had creative tricks he was doing until nascar wrote a rule around it? That’s not cheating it’s being very smart. Anybody else could have done the same thing but they weren’t as competitive or as smart as this man
CHAD KNAUS HAS HAIR???
Yes lol - and even more amazingly & surprisingly he has a personality too - never would have figured he did
What’s crazy is that cheaters are the ones who said you have to have a degree in engineering to get a job like this mind you these guys probably never went let alone understand what engineering really is lol 😂
DEI without Teresa
Could lead tandem cause he wouldn’t drag the brake lol
Hi