About The Man of Tan

Vital Stats On the Cuteness...

Birthdate: August 5, 1971
Birthplace: Rockford, IL
Residence: Charlotte, NC
Family: Single

Bio (ripped without permission from Jeff Gordon's official site)...

Just before the 2002 season began, Hendrick Motorsports welcomed former "Rainbow Warrior" Chad Knaus back into the fold, naming the Illinois native to the position of crew chief for Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet. And what an impact he made. Knaus lead the rookie team to unprecedented success in 2002, earning three wins, 6 top-fives, 21 top-10s and 4 Bud Pole Awards. As a result of his efforts, Knaus took home the inaugural IRWIN "Crew Chief of the Year" award.

Knaus worked on Jeff Gordon's No. 24 car from 1993-97, advancing from the position of general fabricator to manage the chassis and body construction program for the four-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion. Serving as a tire changer on the original "Rainbow Warrior" pit crew, Knaus shared in two of those championships (1995, 1997).

Born in Illinois, Chad grew up around the racetracks of the Midwest helping his father race against the likes of Mark Martin, Alan Kulwicki, Rusty Wallace and Dick Trickle. Knaus' career began at such a young age, he can't even remember a time when he wasn't racing.

By the time he turned 14, Chad Knaus served as crew chief during his fathers Rockford Speedway championship season. The father-son combination also won the Great Northern Series championship and finished second in the Winston Racing Series. A few years and many victories later, Knaus moved to the South in 1991 to pursue his racing dreams.

After cutting his teeth with Stanley Smiths stock car team, Knaus landed a job working on the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team led by crew chief Ray Evernham and driver Jeff Gordon. From 1993 to 1997, Knaus advanced from a general fabricator to manage the entire chassis and body construction program for the No. 24 team. Serving as a tire changer on the original Rainbow Warriors pit crew, Knaus was an integral part of the 1995 and 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Championship teams.

Following the 1997 season, Knaus joined Dale Earnhardt, Inc. as car chief. During the 1998 season, he moved to Tyler Jet Motorsports, and in 1999, the call came that would lead Knaus to Dodge, Melling Racing and his ultimate career goal. Ray Evernham wanted Knaus to lead the Dodge Development team, an opportunity he quickly seized.

During two Dodge test sessions, Knaus worked with Melling Racing driver Stacy Compton. The two worked well together, resulting in Knaus' hire as crew chief for Compton in 2001.