NASCAR orders mandatory cautions to monitor tires Jul 28, 2008
Chad Knaus, crew chief for pole-sitter Jimmie Johnson, said the problem stemmed from the Car of Tomorrow's debut at Indy. The new model car has a heavier right-side load than the old model and don't stick to the track as easily. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Johnson gains redemption during second Indy win Jul 28, 2008
While other drivers kept changing strategy, sometimes taking four tires, sometimes taking two in an effort to gain time in the pits, Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus never wavered. Taking four tires at nearly every opportunity, Johnson had little trouble making up lost ground once he got back on the track. (Columbia Daily Herald, TN)
WET, WACKY RACE: Five lessons from New Hampshire Jul 1, 2008
"I wish we could get some [better] tires," Jimmie Johnson's crew chief Chad Knaus said after the race. "Goodyear does a great job, don't get me wrong. They've done exactly what everybody wanted them to do, because everybody [used to] complain about the tires so much. So, they built a tire that just doesn't fall off. But now, with this car and the way the speed stays consistent and everybody runs the same speed, it's just all about track position: pitting near your window and just staying out... (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Tom BowlesINSIDE NASCAR Jun 6, 2008
Johnson's also had four top-5 finishes that have come sandwiched in between some experimental setups; instead of using the summer to test, crew chief Chad Knaus put some R&D work this spring to try out things he'd like to use for the playoffs. The move was ballsy, considering an extended slump could have knocked Johnson right out of Chase contention, but they've been good enough for long enough that making the top 12 shouldn't be a problem. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Hendrick team can't get it in gear this season Jun 5, 2008
Perhaps the best at this is the tandem of Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus. One of the problems with the COT is that there are far fewer changes that can be made to improve the car during a race. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Patrick could steer herself to victory lane May 23, 2008
Johnson's crew chief, Chad Knaus, is probably the best in NASCAR at calculating strategy based on fuel. Great drivers, like all athletes, play to their strengths. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Notebook: Little superspeedway hosts a 'big one' May 4, 2008
The wreck also left two-time defending series champion Jimmie Johnson, who swept both races here last year, with damage that had crew chief Chad Knaus looking over the car and waiting for pit road to open so the team could take some heavy duty sheet metal tools to it. "We've got to cut a bunch of stuff off of it,'' Knaus said.Johnson, running without a hood after the accident, finished 30th.Jeff Burton, the points leader coming into the race, also sustained damage. He bounced back to finish... (MSNBC -- Sports)
Losing a crew chief isn't so bad Apr 20, 2008
Last season, Jeff Gordon lost Steve Letarte, and Jimmie Johnson was without Chad Knaus for six weeks at midseason after their Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolets were found to have unapproved front fenders before the June race in Sonoma, Calif. During Letarte's absence Gordon had six straight top-10 finishes. (News & Observer -- Sports)
NASCAR team notes Apr 17, 2008
002 seconds ahead of 's Chevrolet, but it took a "little white lie" by crew chief Chad Knaus to encourage Johnson to slow down and save fuel. "Since I climbed out of the car I found out he was lying for the better good of the team," Johnson said after scoring the 34th Cup win of his career. (USA Today -- Sports)
Carlsbad's Boris Said finally back behind wheel, for Mexico City race Apr 17, 2008
JIMMIE JOHNSON: With a huge assist from crew chief Chad Knaus, who plotted the fuel reserve correctly, scores the first NASCAR Sprint Cup victory of the season for Hendrick Motorsports to climb to fourth in the driver standings. RED FLAGS. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Johnsons victory gets Hendrick rolling Apr 15, 2008
With a gutsy call from crew chief Chad Knaus to not stop for gas when the rest of the leaders were too scared to stretch their fuel to the finish, the two-time defending series champion finally gave Hendrick his first win of the season Saturday night at Phoenix International Raceway. It was the deepest into the season owner Rick Hendrick had gone without one of his cars winning since 2003, when Jeff Gordon won the ninth event of the year. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Johnson: Hendrick 'back' Apr 15, 2008
But despite leading a race-high 120 laps on the mile oval, this one wasn't secure for the No. 48 Chevrolet until crew chief Chad Knaus gambled on going the last 80 laps without stopping for gas. When the leaders began diving onto pit road for a splash of gas to get to the end of the Subway Fresh Fit 500, Johnson was in third place, just behind leader Mark Martin and runner-up Denny Hamlin, and not too far ahead of Carl Edwards and Dale Earnhardt Jr.. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
• More State/National Stories • Apr 15, 2008
(AP) A little white lie by crew chief Chad Knaus helped Jimmie Johnson drive to his first NASCAR Sprint Cup victory of the season. Hall qualifier. (Creston News Adertiser, IO)
Hendrick enjoying victory Apr 14, 2008
"We've been working very hard to get back. I couldn't be more proud of the folks back at Hendrick Motorsports."But despite leading a race-high 120 laps on the mile oval, this one wasn't secure for the No. 48 Chevrolet until crew chief Chad Knaus gambled on going the last 80 laps without stopping for gas. When the leaders began diving onto pit road for a splash of gas to get to the end of the Subway Fresh Fit 500, Johnson was in third place, just behind leader Mark Martin and runner-up Denny... (News & Observer -- Sports)
Johnson wins it on fuel mileage Apr 14, 2008
With crew chief Chad Knaus telling him to keep conserving gas and that he had a big enough lead to slow down and save more, Johnson stayed on track and stayed in front to the end. "I ran out of gas on the backstretch," Johnson said, grinning. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Weekend Sports in Brief Apr 14, 2008
With crew chief Chad Knaus telling him to keep conserving gas and that he had a big enough lead to slow down and save more, Johnson stayed on track and stayed in front to the end. Advertiser AP Sports Headlines. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Johnson won on fumes Apr 14, 2008
Johnson led 109 laps early in the race, but crew chief Chad Knaus decided to skip a pit stop during an early caution. When the next caution came out, Johnson lost his track position when he stopped for gas and tires while the other lead-lap cars stayed on the track. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Fuel gamble in Phoenix Apr 13, 2008
- A little white lie by crew chief Chad Knaus helped Jimmie Johnson drive to his first NASCAR Sprint Cup victory of the season. With leader after leader diving for the pits to take on gas in the waning laps of Saturday nights Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, Knaus was a constant presence on the radio, telling Johnson he had a big enough lead to slow way down. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Johnson gambles on fuel, earns first win of the season Apr 13, 2008
(AP) A little white lie by crew chief Chad Knaus helped drive to his first NASCAR Sprint Cup victory of the season. With leader after leader diving for the pits to take on gas in the waning laps of Saturday night's Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, Knaus was a constant presence on the radio, telling Johnson he had a big enough lead to slow way down. (USA Today -- Sports)
Johnson's gas gamble pays off big Apr 13, 2008
Your Connection to the. Web Search powered by YAHOO. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Franchitti goes home as car owner blasts team over poor performance Apr 6, 2008
To be side-by-side with the good teams, and have guys like Chad Knaus come up and say 'You guys are doing a really great job this year,' it just meant so much to our team. We work hard and it feels good to be recognized for it. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Always-confident Johnson dares you to root against him Apr 5, 2008
and over the last two racing seasons, Johnson, his crew chief, Chad Knaus, and the whole No. 48 Lowe's Chevy garage, have appeared, at times, to be too unbeatable ... "You know what they say about successful people.Most of us want to see them be successful, but not too successful.It's just human nature... and over the last two racing seasons, Johnson, his crew chief, Chad Knaus, and the whole No. 48 Lowe's Chevy garage, have appeared, at times, to be too unbeatable.Just as perfection didn't come... (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
After cruising to seventh Cup title, Hendrick not so dominant Mar 19, 2008
" If 2007 was the luckiest of Hendrick's career (Gordon won at Darlington Raceway with steam spewing from his engine, one of several team triumphs without a dominant car), Hendrick says this season has provided his worst racing luck. At the Daytona 500, a suspension part that rarely fails sidelined Gordon. Mears hit a puddle at Auto Club Speedway in a wreck that also collected Earnhardt. Cruising toward a career-best finish at Bristol, Johnson suffered a flat tire. But Johnson and crew chief... (USA Today -- Sports)
Jimmie Johnson off to unusually slow start Mar 15, 2008
Two weeks ago, in Las Vegas, the combination of driver Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus had one of its worst days ever, without being involved in a crash. The No. 48 Chevy started the race bad and never got much better on the way to a 29th-place finish. (MSNBC -- Sports)
NASCAR DRIVER RANKINGS: New No. 1; Jimmie falls hard Mar 5, 2008
The Lowe's Chevrolet just wasn't quite right virtually all weekend long. Nothing crew chief Chad Knaus threw at it seemed to fix their problems, and Johnson wound up falling two laps off the pace just a week after challenging for the win at California. Say it with me now, everyone. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
NASCAR's Carl Edwards a cheat? Lid's off Mar 4, 2008
The only one that is a bigger rule bender is Chad Knaus. Fine Carl like the rest, btw, I think he still is a big goof. (Florida Today)
Red Bull considers pulling Allmendinger's team Mar 3, 2008
"We don't really know right now what was wrong with the car," crew chief Chad Knaus said. "We just didn't quite have the speed in it that we needed.". (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Hendrick is souped up for success Feb 17, 2008
Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus no doubt will take their cue from their car owner when they go for their third consecutive championship. I think that Jimmie and Chad and those guys are in such a different position, said Gordon, when asked to compare Johnson s chances for a third title in a row with his own in 1999 when it seemed his Rainbow Warriors were beginning to come apart at the seams and crew chief Ray Evernham was looking to start his own Dodge-backed team. (Boston Globe)
Johnson seeks a springboard to history Feb 17, 2008
CREW CHIEF: Chad Knaus ... "It's because he was the tallest," crew chief Chad Knaus reasoned. (North County Times)
Johnson at front in Hendrick-Gibbs showdown Feb 16, 2008
Its because he was the tallest, crew chief Chad Knaus reasoned. They had to stick him behind all those short dudes. (MSNBC -- Sports)
A glance at drivers racing in Daytona 500 Feb 16, 2008
CREW CHIEF: Chad Knaus. NOTES: Can't seal the deal. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Johnson starts at No. 1 Feb 16, 2008
That came one day after Johnson took his short track backup car -- made for Martinsville, not restrictor plates -- to a third place finish in the Bud Shootout, making it clear he and crew chief Chad Knaus haven't skipped a beat. But speaking of the Super Bowl, perhaps the No. 48 team's biggest challenge this year will be avoiding a fate similar to the 2007 Patriots. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Johnson still the man to beat Feb 16, 2008
"It's because he was the tallest," crew chief Chad Knaus reasoned. "They had to stick him behind all those short dudes."He has yet to grab the spotlight at Daytona, where Earnhardt has stolen the show. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Engine woes hit Hendrick Feb 14, 2008
"It wouldn't have lasted the 150s, and you don't want to risk it blowing up and starting an accident that would have taken other cars out," Johnson's crew chief Chad Knaus said. Four Toyotas had similar problems during Speedweeks, including two-time series champion Tony Stewart and three-time Daytona 500 winner Dale Jarrett. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Nuts, and less bolts Feb 14, 2008
Before the 2006 Daytona 500, Jimmie Johnson's crew chief, Chad Knaus, was suspended after NASCAR inspectors found an illegal modification to Johnson's rear window. Before last year's Daytona 500, NASCAR suspended four crew chiefs for violations found before and after qualifying. (The Palm Beach Post)
Car of Tomorrow is now the car of today Feb 14, 2008
"No use complaining or worrying about it," said Chad Knaus, the crew chief who has guided Jimmie Johnson to two straight Cup titles. "It's what we have to work with now. NASCAR isn't going to suddenly decide to go back to the old car.". (Globe and Mail -- Sports)
Busch, Stewart on probation Feb 13, 2008
" Before last year's Daytona 500, NASCAR suspended four crew chiefs for violations found before and after qualifying. It also confiscated Michael Waltrip's car and ejected his team's crew chief and competition vice president after finding an illegal fuel additive. In 2006 NASCAR ejected Jimmie Johnson's crew chief, Chad Knaus, before the race after finding an illegal modification to Johnson's rear window. Build your classified ad with color photos : In print and online Copyright 2008 The Palm... (The Palm Beach Post)
Lars AndersonINSIDE NASCAR Feb 12, 2008
He's not flashy, but he rarely makes mistakes on the track and his crew chief Chad Knaus possesses one of the sharpest minds in the garage. 2. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Johnson, Waltrip driven at Daytona Feb 11, 2008
"Obviously there is a lot of emphasis when you come to the Daytona 500 to sit on the pole," said crew chief Chad Knaus, who knows a thing or two about being a reformed NASCAR scofflaw after he was ejected two years ago and was forced to watch from home as Johnson went on to claim his first Daytona 500 triumph. "It is a neat thing; you are guaranteed a front-row starting spot. It is a week and a half that you can kind of walk around with your chest puffed up instead of just a day like a normal... (Boston Globe)
Earnhardt wins with help from new friends Feb 10, 2008
"The last few laps, I got some great help from my teammates, but I wouldn't have won the race without Jimmie pushing me. So thanks to him and [crew chief Chad Knaus] for working so hard to get [Johnson's] backup ready.". Five drivers were forced to go to backup cars after an eight-car collision during a practice session Friday evening. (Boston Globe)
Wrecks get Speedweeks off to volatile start Feb 10, 2008
Both drivers were called into a meeting with NASCAR. Jeff Gordon and crew chief Chad Knaus burst into laughter as Stewart walked toward the NASCAR trailer with a throng of reporters and cameramen in tow. Fans on an observation deck above the garage area shouted encouragement to Stewart, including, "Get it on, Tony!". (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
NASCAR hopes for less cheating Feb 10, 2008
From Chad Knaus to Michael Waltrip, Jack Roush and Ray Evernham, NASCAR officials proved they were serious about cracking down on anyone caught breaking -- some would even say bending -- the rules going into the season-opening Daytona 500. Will it make a difference this time around. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Speedweeks starts with wrecks,flared tempers Feb 9, 2008
Both drivers were called into a meeting with NASCAR. Jeff Gordon and crew chief Chad Knaus burst into laughter as Stewart walked toward the NASCAR trailer with a throng of reporters and cameramen in tow. Fans on an observation deck above the garage area shouted encouragement to Stewart, including, "Get it on, Tony!''NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said officials would meet with them again Saturday. It was undecided whether they will be punished, and this gives NASCAR its first chance to decide how... (MSNBC -- Sports)
Jimmie Johnson Biography Jan 26, 2008
Long-time Hendrick Motorsports employee Chad Knaus became Johnson s crew chief ... Throughout the years, Jimmie Johnson s crew chief Chad Knaus has been ridiculed for pushing the envelope , so to speak. (Suite101.com)
PAY NASCAR $2 AND GO RACING Jan 23, 2008
"There is more pressure on us to win," said Chad Knaus, Johnson's crew chief. "Once you start winning races, you're expected to win. That's why we have the facilities that we've got, the engine program, and the drivers.". (Brookneal Union Star, VA)
A familar face will be driving this year's Indy 500 pace car -- Emerson Fittipaldi. Jan 15, 2008
Chad Knaus, Jimmie Johnson's crew chief, left his pit box to meet Fittipaldi. Jeff Gordon spent almost half an hour talking racing with him. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Engines roar at Daytona as preseason testing begins Jan 9, 2008
The Daytona 500 also marks the first Daytona event for NASCAR's new race car, and Johnson said he and crew chief Chad Knaus were delighted with their results following Monday's morning session. "First time being here on such a rough surface, there's a lot of speed in making the car drive right," Johnson said during a lunch-break visit to the Daytona infield media center. (Dowagiac News, MI)
NASCAR offseason ends and testing begins at Daytona Jan 8, 2008
(AP) -Tanned and relaxed as the sun set over the Caribbean on New Year's Day, crew chief Chad Knaus surveyed his surroundings and uttered the unthinkable: "I can't wait to get back to work.''Knaus didn't have to wait long.The first session of preseason testing opened Monday at Daytona International Speedway, and two-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson fell back into familiar form - the Knaus-led team was the fastest of the 25 cars on the track during the morning session.advertisementAcross... (MSNBC -- Sports)
No surprise, Johnson is favorite to repeat Dec 29, 2007
Odds that Chad Knaus will serve another suspension: 15-1. Johnson's crew chief will be on his best behavior in 2008 in light of NASCAR's track record of vigorous prosecution of offenses involving the new racecar. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Some see cheating as being innovative Dec 15, 2007
It has been brought to light most recently by the four-race suspension, $25,000 fine and season-long probation imposed on Johnson's crew chief, Chad Knaus. Knaus used a trick device that raised the rear window the No. 48 Chevy during qualifying at Daytona, giving the car an aerodynamic advantage. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Matt Kenseth was left with a lot to think about after three wrecks undermined a Chase in which he led the most laps. Dec 5, 2007
After winning their second straight Cup, Jimmie Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus clearly have Chase racing down to a science ... Four years into the Chase era, it seems like Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus have the playoff format pretty well mastered. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Big money for Johnson Dec 1, 2007
Johnson shared the stage Friday with crew chief Chad Knaus, who has been with him since he began his full-time Cup career in 2002, and team owner Rick Hendrick, who was celebrating his seventh Cup championship. In his six seasons Johnson has never finished worse than fifth and, next season, he will try to match the record of three straight championships set by Cale Yarborough from 1976-78. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Johnson repeats Dec 1, 2007
When it was over, he and crew chief Chad Knaus were already thinking about a third. "We're just really hitting our stride," Johnson said. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Tributes start awards night Dec 1, 2007
Saturday, December 1, 2007. Published: Dec 01, 2007 12:30 AM Modified: Dec 01, 2007 03:00 AM. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Dale Jr. most popular again Nov 30, 2007
Chad Knaus, Johnson's crew chief, also was rewarded by Chevrolet, which presented him with the keys to a new Corvette. "Sometimes your dreams come true, but there's nothing wrong with dreaming again," Knaus said. (USA Today -- Sports)
36 races, 21 awards at the end Nov 23, 2007
Crew chief: Chad Knaus. Two consecutive Cup championships for Johnson's team leader. (Albany Times Union)
Johnson-Knaus team is proving tough to beat Nov 22, 2007
Chad Knaus says things clicked between him and Jimmie Johnson the first time the crew chief and the young driver met over lunch in December 2001. We had a lot of similar interests, Knaus said recently. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Jimmie Johnson won four of the final five Chase races en route to capturing his second straight Nextel Cup championship. Nov 21, 2007
When it comes to driver and crew chief pairings, Johnson and Chad Knaus are simply the best; and the way in which they closed the door on their season is easily their best accomplishment to date. Grade: A. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Johnson pays back his crew chief with champagne soak Nov 21, 2007
AP Photo Jimmie Johnson, left, pours champagne on crew chief Chad Knaus as they celebrate after winning the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series championship in Homestead, Fla. Sunday. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Johnson's best is yetto come Nov 20, 2007
He loves having Chad Knaus as his crew chief and he loves having the vast resources of Hendrick Motorsports behind him. These days when it comes to his racing Johnson loves it all. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Repeat nice and easy for Johnson Nov 20, 2007
Though Johnson only needed to finish 18th or better, he refused to play it safe, and crew chief Chad Knaus gave him a pole-winning car. Johnson led the first lap to earn a quick five-point bonus, then settled in for the 400-mile ride into the record books. (Albany Times Union)
COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE PACK Nov 20, 2007
"He jumped in a stock car with [crew chief] Chad Knaus, and it's almost like the Jeff Gordon-Ray Evernham story," Robby Gordon said. "They have just been phenomenal. They have clicked like very few people do.". (Suffolk News Herald, VA)
Johnson wins Nextel Cup title Nov 20, 2007
When it was over, Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus were already thinking about a third. We re just really hitting our stride, Johnson said. (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
Johnson coasts to end Chase Nov 19, 2007
From that moment, Johnson took a conservative route laid out by crew chief Chad Knaus, a mode with which he had been unfamiliar while winning four of the last five races in the Chase for the Nextel Cup Championship. And while it seemed to go against his pedal-to-the-metal nature to dial it down a notch, Johnson proved that cruise control was better than overdrive in finishing seventh yesterday and thus clinching his second consecutive Nextel Cup championship. (Boston Globe)
Johnson cruises to second consecutive NASCAR title Nov 19, 2007
" Kenseth put a Roush Fenway Racing Ford in victory lane for the fourth consecutive year in the season finale, following the tread marks of , who had won the past three. Kenseth held off and for the victory, while Biffle finished 13th. "It's a great day a great feeling," said Chad Knaus, Johnson's crew chief. "We wanted to have a race car that Jimmie was able to do whatever he wanted with. Fortunately, we were able to get it. (USA Today -- Sports)
