Chad Knaus and Jimmie Johnson go back a long way. 81 race wins, seven Cup Series titles, with five of them coming off consecutive years. Just those numbers say a lot about their partnership over the years. Now, Knaus and Jimmie Johnson are all set to face off in the race to make the playoffs. Knaus hopes Johnson ends up doing much more in his final NASCAR season.

It has been two years since their 16-year run ended and Knaus was appointed as Johnson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron’s Crew Chief. Johnson sits one spot outside the playoff positions and Byron sits on 16th place, the final playoff spot. Although, both of them have a shot at making the final 16.

Legendary Crew Chief Chad Knaus’ special wish for Jimmie Johnson

Both Johnson and Byron can pip Matt DiBenedetto who is in 15th place, with strong finishes at Daytona International Speedway this weekend. Knaus wants to see that happen and expresses his emotions at being on the opposite side of Johnson.

“Man, who knows what’s going to happen. My intention is for Hendrick Motorsports, for both of these cars in the playoffs right,” Knaus said in a media interaction. “We’ve got a shot at it. That’s what we’ve got to try and do,” he added.

“I’m hoping Jimmie makes it. I hope the man goes out there and wins the championship honestly. That would just be spectacular to be able to do that. And knowing that I’m a part of that would be really really awesome right,” Knaus continued. “But we’ll just have to see how all the cards fall in. It’s a tough spot, it’s a tough race. It is what it is,” Knaus added.

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Teammates face off for playoff spot

Knaus is considered as one of the greatest Crew Chiefs of all-time in NASCAR. The 22-year-old Byron is benefitting with the experience of Knaus in his camp. Knaus said that the focus for the No. 24 team at Hendrick Motorsports is only on what lies ahead and not what happened in the past.

Meanwhile, it will, indeed, be a special moment for Jimmie Johnson and all his fans if he can pull off the improbable and win the championship. But the first step is securing the playoff spot with a fine race at the Daytona International Speedway.