Top 10 crew chiefs of 2001
December 26, 2001
9:31 AM EST (1631 GMT)
1. Robbie Loomis
Team: Hendrick Motorsports
Driver: Jeff Gordon
With current driver since: Before 2000 season
2001: Won first title with driver Jeff Gordon. Shrugged off critics who said he wouldn't he able to return Gordon to championship form.
Read more about Loomis
2. Kevin Hamlin
Team: Richard Childress Racing
Driver: Kevin Harvick
With current driver since: Early in 2001 season
2001: Did phenomenal job of keeping team intact following the death of Dale Earnhardt. Immediately guided Harvick to Victory Lane at Atlanta, and the team finished fourth in owners points.
Tech Q&A: Kevin Hamlin
3. Jimmy Makar
Team: Joe Gibbs Racing
Driver: Bobby Labonte
With current driver since: Before 1995 season
2001: Failed to defend Winston Cup title with Bobby Labonte, but still guided Labonte to 20 top-10 finishes while dealing with aged Pontiac template.
Read more about Makar
4. Paul Andrews
Team: Dale Earnhardt Inc.
Driver: Kenny Wallace/Steve Park
With current driver since: Sept. 2001
2001: Andrews was given credit by Kenny Wallace for keeping the team at a competitive level following the injury to Steve Park. Turned No. 1 Chevrolet into one of the top rides in Winston Cup.
Tech Q&A: Paul Andrews
5. Greg Zipadelli
Team: Joe Gibbs Racing
Driver: Tony Stewart
With current driver since: Before 1999 season
2001: Led the top team in Winston Cup in the second half. Like Makar, dealt with aged Pontiac template but still led Stewart to second-place finish in the points.
Tech Q&A: Greg Zipadelli
6. Tony Eury
Team: Dale Earnhardt Inc.
Driver: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
With current driver since: Before 2000 season
2001: Helped his team become much more consistent as Dale Earnhardt Jr. moved into the top 10 in points and stayed there.
Tech Q&A: Tony Eury
7. Michael McSwain
Team: Robert Yates Racing
Driver: Ricky Rudd
With current driver since: 1999
2001: Led Rudd's bid for a title and helped Rudd win his first event since 1998.
Read more about McSwain
8. Frank Stoddard
Team: Roush Racing
Driver: Jeff Burton
With current driver since: 1998
2001: Hasn't led Burton to a Winston Cup title, but led team out of early-season slump.
Tech Q&A: Frank Stoddard
9. Tommy Baldwin
Team: Bill Davis Racing
Driver: Ward Burton
With current driver since: 1999
2001: Team ran well all year but was plagued by bad luck.
Tech Q&A: Tommy Baldwin
10. James Ince
Team: MBV Motorsports
Driver: Johnny Benson
With current driver since: 2000
2001: Helped Benson enjoy a career year, but team slowed after bump stops were outlawed in May.
Tech Q&A: Jame Ince
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