Darian Grubb
Encyclopedia
Darian Grubb was a NASCAR
mechanic and crew chief for Stewart-Haas Racing's No. 14 Office Depot
/Mobil 1
Chevrolet Impala
driven by Tony Stewart
. Before being employed at Stewart Haas Racing, Grubb worked for Hendrick Motorsports
as an assistant and filled in as Jimmie Johnson
's crew chief during the suspension of Chad Knaus
in 2006. He is also the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion crew chief.
. As a senior at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
in 1998, Grubb was influential in the design of the school's "Tinker Bell" ATV used in competition. He graduated with a mechanical engineering degree that year.
, before taking over the crew chief job temporarily for Jimmie Johnson
's team at the 2006 Daytona 500
, after regular crew chief Chad Knaus
was suspended. Johnson went on to win that race for his first Daytona 500 victory. Johnson and Grubb went on to finish second at the 2006 Auto Club 500
. Johnson won two weeks later, again with Grubb, in the 2006 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400. In 2007, he was named the crew chief for Casey Mears
' #25 Hendrick team, where he scored another win, at the Coca-Cola 600
.
In the 2008 season, Grubb moved to an administrative role with Hendrick Motorsports, supervising the #5 and the renumbered #88 teams. On September 5, 2008, it was announced that Grubb was leaving Hendrick Motorsports at the end of this season to join the new Stewart-Haas Racing team to serve as Tony Stewart's crew chief in 2009. Grubb was the winning crew chief for Tony Stewart in the 2009 All-Star race at Charlotte. Grubb also guided Tony Stewart to his first win as an Owner, Driver of a points paying race. The race was won at Pocono Raceway in the Spring of 2009 and was won on fuel strategy. During the 2011 season, Grubb led Tony Stewart to his third NASCAR Championship. This was Grubb's first championship. However, Grubb announced that he would not be the crew chief for Stewart for the 2012 season.
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
mechanic and crew chief for Stewart-Haas Racing's No. 14 Office Depot
Office Depot
Office Depot is a supplier of office products and provides many services. The company's selection of brand name office supplies includes business machines, computers, computer software and office furniture, while its business services encompass copying, printing, document reproduction, shipping,...
/Mobil 1
Mobil 1
Mobil 1 is a brand name developed by the Mobil oil company and now marketed by ExxonMobil.It was introduced in 1974 as a 5w single viscosity fully synthetic motor oil advertised for use up to 25,000 miles. Later, the miles-specific recommendation was dropped and the product reformulated in other...
Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size automobile built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors introduced for the 1958 model year. Deriving its name from the southern African antelope, Chevrolet's most expensive passenger model through 1965 had become the best-selling automobile in the United...
driven by Tony Stewart
Tony Stewart
Anthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
. Before being employed at Stewart Haas Racing, Grubb worked for Hendrick Motorsports
Hendrick Motorsports
Hendrick Motorsports , originally named All Star Racing, is a current American auto racing team created in 1984 by Rick Hendrick. The team currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with Chevrolet Impalas...
as an assistant and filled in as Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Kenneth Johnson is an American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car driver. He currently drives the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports....
's crew chief during the suspension of Chad Knaus
Chad Knaus
Chad Anthony Knaus is the current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew chief for Jimmie Johnson. He is currently employed at Hendrick Motorsports. Knaus has 52 victories as Jimmie Johnson's crew chief and is the only NASCAR crew chief to win five consecutive championships. He has been a crew chief in...
in 2006. He is also the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion crew chief.
Early life
Grubb was born in Floyd, VirginiaFloyd, Virginia
Floyd is a town in Floyd County, Virginia, United States. The population was 432 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Floyd County. The Town of Floyd was originally named Jacksonville as the surrounding county was formed during the tenure of President Andrew Jackson...
. As a senior at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, popularly known as Virginia Tech , is a public land-grant university with the main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia with other research and educational centers throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and internationally.Founded in...
in 1998, Grubb was influential in the design of the school's "Tinker Bell" ATV used in competition. He graduated with a mechanical engineering degree that year.
Racing career
Grubb spent four years as an assistant with Hendrick MotorsportsHendrick Motorsports
Hendrick Motorsports , originally named All Star Racing, is a current American auto racing team created in 1984 by Rick Hendrick. The team currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with Chevrolet Impalas...
, before taking over the crew chief job temporarily for Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Kenneth Johnson is an American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car driver. He currently drives the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports....
's team at the 2006 Daytona 500
2006 Daytona 500
The 2006 Daytona 500 was the first race in the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup season. It took place on February 19, 2006 at Daytona International Speedway.-Qualifying and Gatorade Duels:...
, after regular crew chief Chad Knaus
Chad Knaus
Chad Anthony Knaus is the current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew chief for Jimmie Johnson. He is currently employed at Hendrick Motorsports. Knaus has 52 victories as Jimmie Johnson's crew chief and is the only NASCAR crew chief to win five consecutive championships. He has been a crew chief in...
was suspended. Johnson went on to win that race for his first Daytona 500 victory. Johnson and Grubb went on to finish second at the 2006 Auto Club 500
Auto Club 500
The Auto Club 400 is a long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. Prior to 2005, the race was held in late April or early May, and until 2010, the race was run at a length of 500 miles. When the NASCAR Realignment of 2005 was made, the race...
. Johnson won two weeks later, again with Grubb, in the 2006 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400. In 2007, he was named the crew chief for Casey Mears
Casey Mears
Casey James Mears is the driver of the #13 GEICO Toyota for Germain Racing in the Sprint Cup Series. He is a former winner of the Coca-Cola 600....
' #25 Hendrick team, where he scored another win, at the Coca-Cola 600
Coca-Cola 600
The Coca-Cola 600, formerly known as the World 600, is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held each year at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina on Memorial Day weekend...
.
In the 2008 season, Grubb moved to an administrative role with Hendrick Motorsports, supervising the #5 and the renumbered #88 teams. On September 5, 2008, it was announced that Grubb was leaving Hendrick Motorsports at the end of this season to join the new Stewart-Haas Racing team to serve as Tony Stewart's crew chief in 2009. Grubb was the winning crew chief for Tony Stewart in the 2009 All-Star race at Charlotte. Grubb also guided Tony Stewart to his first win as an Owner, Driver of a points paying race. The race was won at Pocono Raceway in the Spring of 2009 and was won on fuel strategy. During the 2011 season, Grubb led Tony Stewart to his third NASCAR Championship. This was Grubb's first championship. However, Grubb announced that he would not be the crew chief for Stewart for the 2012 season.