Pemberton makes his mark as crew chief

When he was in high school in the late 1980s, Ryan Pemberton used to race over to the Roush Racing shop as soon as the final bell rang. He didn't have a job there; he just hung around and did whatever he was asked to.

"I just loved it," Ryan said. "I wasn't getting paid; I just wanted to be there."

Then one day Ryan didn't show up.

Bill Weber

"They started asking where I was," Pemberton said. "I was there so much people just figured I really worked there. That's how I got the job, by not showing up."

At the time the organization was building the team that eventually became the ride for Mark Martin. One of the team leaders was Ryan's older brother, Robin.

"He gave me an opportunity and needless to say I am very thankful for that," said Ryan.

I first met Ryan in 1990. There was this kid working on Mark Martin's car in the garage area. A skinny kid, maybe 16 or 17, but man was he a hard worker. I remember watching from a few feet away. This kid really knew what he was doing. I figured when he gets out of high school he's going to have some pretty good references; Mark Martin, car owner Jack Roush, Robin Pemberton...not too bad!

"That's Robin's brother, Ryan," someone pointed out.

Really, well there goes that reference. Still, I thought, in a couple of years he'll be ready for a full-time job.

Turns out, this was his full-time job! By now Ryan was 21 years-old but probably could have passed for 15. His shirt was dirty and untucked; he was running all over the place but always seemed to know where he was going and what he was doing. Turns out, Ryan was part of Mark Martin's crew when Martin got his first win at Rockingham in October of 1989. Ryan was 20 at the time, but probably looked 14.

"I was really sick that day with the flu," Ryan said. "It was a great day that's for sure but I can't remember much of it."

Today Ryan Pemberton is the 37-year-old crew chief for, that's right, Mark Martin. Racing goes in a circle, doesn't it?

"Ya know, no one has really asked me about being back together with him," Ryan said. "Working with [Mark] is an honor. It's cool to be back together but we really don't think about it that much. There's a job to do."

Pemberton has climbed his way up the racing ladder. He worked with a variety of teams as a crew man; he was crew chief for Larry Pearson in the Busch series in 1996. (Continued)