One of NASCAR’s greatest Crew Chiefs of all time, Chad Knaus, will longer be atop the pit box post the 2020 season. Currently, with William Byron as Crew Chief and famously with Jimmie Johnson for 17 years, Knaus was promoted to a leadership position at Hendrick Motorsports on Tuesday.

Johnson and Knaus shared one of the greatest driver-chief partnerships in NASCAR history. All of Johnson’s seven NASCAR Cup Series titles came with Knaus heading the pit box. Notably, Knaus and Johnson will end their full-time careers on the track in NASCAR, on the same day.

The 7-time victor was one of the first to congratulate Knaus for his new role. He also spoke a bit about their partnership.

High praise from Jimmie Johnson

“Just wanted to give a shout-out to Chad Knaus. Huge congratulations to you and the move that you’re gonna make,” Johnson said. “We shared so many great experiences throughout our career in motorsports. I know what you mean to me and to my family. I’m so happy for you and your family on this next chapter in your career.”

The two men won 81 NASCAR races together. Knaus has one more race win in the Cup Series, which came with William Byron in August in the 2020 regular-season finale at the Daytona International Speedway. That win earned Byron a place in the Playoffs.

The 22-year-old driver of the No. 24 also thanked Knaus for guiding him at such a young stage of his career. “Chad’s been great for my career.

“He’s honestly elevated me and this team to another level and gotten us into the playoffs the last two years which has been great for us…It’s a different level of professionalism he brings. It’s really helped us get to this point which is a playoff-contending team,” Byron said.

Chad Knaus’s new role

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Knaus is the only Crew Chief to make the post-season, now known as the Playoffs in NASCAR, for all 17 years.

The 49-year-old Knaus will serve as the new Vice President of Competition at Hendrick Motorsports. Knaus will oversee the implementation and development of the team with the Next Gen car coming in 2022.

He will also be responsible for technical development. In addition, Knaus will oversee personnel for all four teams at Hendrick Motorsports, which includes crew chiefs and pit crews.