Ed Berrier
Encyclopedia
Ed Berrier is a second-generation NASCAR
driver. His father Max Berrier competed in seven Grand National races over four years, and won 125 feature races as a modified driver. Ed's distant cousin Todd
is currently the crew chief
for Jeff Burton
in the Sprint Cup Series.
Berrier started running go-karts and became a force to be reckoned with, winning 72 out of 127 races. In 1980, he moved to the NASCAR Dash Series
, driving for his own team. Four years later, he made his Busch Series
debut, running 18 races and finishing in top-ten three times. He would not finish that high again until 1987, when he had four top-fives. Berrier ran abbreviated schedules over the next few years(except 1988) and put together 22 top-tens. He made his Winston Cup debut in 1995 at the Mountain Dew Southern 500, finishing in 20th position. Berrier's only NASCAR start in 1996 came at Darlington Raceway
, where he finished 39th. After running a limited Cup schedule with Sadler Bros. Racing in 1997, Berrier was tapped by Moy Racing
to drive his #77 UAW/Lear Ford in the Busch Series. After putting together three top-20 finishes in an abbreviated run, Berrier returned to the team in 1998, this time, with former Cup campaigner Jimmy Means
as crew chief. The highlight of this year came at the final Galaxy Food Centers 300
. Berrier dominated, starting on the outside pole, leading 187 laps, and garnering his only victory at a premier NASCAR series. Despite DNQ-ing at Rockingham Speedway, Berrier and company finished seventeenth in points that year. Unfortunately, Berrier's success did not carry over into 1999, and after qualifying for just 17 races, Berrier was fired.
Berrier soon landed on his feet, by running a limited schedule for Junie Donlavey
in late '99. After his audition, Donlavey signed Berrier to drive for his team with a package sponsorship from Hills Brothers Coffee. Unfortunately, the sight of the team packing up and heading home after second round qualifying became too common, and Berrier was released once again. He ran the inauguaral Busch Series race at Kansas Speedway
, but crashed on the tenth lap. Berrier's last NASCAR race came in the Craftsman Truck Series
season opener in 2003, finishing 13th for Kevin Harvick Incorporated
.
Now, Berrier has followed his brother into the crew chief ranks, and will be the pit boss for the upstart NASCAR truck operation, Alex Yontz Racing in 2006.
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...
driver. His father Max Berrier competed in seven Grand National races over four years, and won 125 feature races as a modified driver. Ed's distant cousin Todd
Todd Berrier
Todd Berrier is a former crew chief for Jeff Burton, Casey Mears and Kevin Harvick in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing. He joined RCR in 1997 as crew chief in the Camping World Truck Series for Jay Sauter. Berrier and Sauter stayed together for three years, winning four times...
is currently the crew chief
Pit stop
In motorsports, a pit stop is where a racing vehicle stops in the pits during a race for refuelling, new tires, repairs, mechanical adjustments, a driver change, or any combination of the above...
for Jeff Burton
Jeff Burton
Jeffrey Brian "Jeff" Burton , also referred to as JB or The Mayor, is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver who drives the #31 Caterpillar Chevrolet Impala for Richard Childress Racing. Burton is the younger brother of Ward Burton, who is a former Sprint Cup driver...
in the Sprint Cup Series.
Berrier started running go-karts and became a force to be reckoned with, winning 72 out of 127 races. In 1980, he moved to the NASCAR Dash Series
NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southeast Series
The NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southeast Series was a NASCAR-sanctioned amateur/semi-pro racing series based in the Southeastern United States. The series was formerly known as the Slim Jim All Pro Series. The drivers who have graduated from this series include Shawna Robinson, Rick Crawford,...
, driving for his own team. Four years later, he made his Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
debut, running 18 races and finishing in top-ten three times. He would not finish that high again until 1987, when he had four top-fives. Berrier ran abbreviated schedules over the next few years(except 1988) and put together 22 top-tens. He made his Winston Cup debut in 1995 at the Mountain Dew Southern 500, finishing in 20th position. Berrier's only NASCAR start in 1996 came at Darlington Raceway
Darlington Raceway
Darlington Raceway is a race track built for NASCAR racing located near Darlington, South Carolina. It is nicknamed the "Lady in Black" and "The Track Too Tough to Tame" by many NASCAR fans and drivers and advertised as "A NASCAR Tradition"...
, where he finished 39th. After running a limited Cup schedule with Sadler Bros. Racing in 1997, Berrier was tapped by Moy Racing
Moy Racing
Moy Racing was an auto racing team owned by former Ford Motor Company employee Joseph Reilly which fielded entries in the NASCAR Busch Series. Drivers who piloted the Moy Racing Ford included Jimmy Kitchens, Andy Kirby, Carl Long , Bruce Bechtel, Dana White, Brad Teague, Ed Berrier, Donnie...
to drive his #77 UAW/Lear Ford in the Busch Series. After putting together three top-20 finishes in an abbreviated run, Berrier returned to the team in 1998, this time, with former Cup campaigner Jimmy Means
Jimmy Means
James "Jimmy" Means is a former Winston Cup/Nextel Cup owner/driver. Currently, he is an adviser for Front Row Motorsports and owns his own team, Means Racing. He competed in NASCAR for eighteen years in mostly his own equipment, posting seventeen career top-tens...
as crew chief. The highlight of this year came at the final Galaxy Food Centers 300
Hickory Motor Speedway
Hickory Motor Speedway is a short track located in Hickory, North Carolina. It is one of stock car racing's most storied venues, and is often referred to as "The World's Most Famous Short Track" and the "Birthplace of the NASCAR Stars"....
. Berrier dominated, starting on the outside pole, leading 187 laps, and garnering his only victory at a premier NASCAR series. Despite DNQ-ing at Rockingham Speedway, Berrier and company finished seventeenth in points that year. Unfortunately, Berrier's success did not carry over into 1999, and after qualifying for just 17 races, Berrier was fired.
Berrier soon landed on his feet, by running a limited schedule for Junie Donlavey
Junie Donlavey
W.C. "Junie" Donlavey , is a former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car owner with a team based in Richmond. Rarely fielding a car without his familiar #90, he began fielding his team in 1950. He drove for his team at first, but soon gave way to other drivers...
in late '99. After his audition, Donlavey signed Berrier to drive for his team with a package sponsorship from Hills Brothers Coffee. Unfortunately, the sight of the team packing up and heading home after second round qualifying became too common, and Berrier was released once again. He ran the inauguaral Busch Series race at Kansas Speedway
Kansas Speedway
Kansas Speedway is a tri-oval race track in Kansas City, Kansas. The speedway was built in 2001 and currently hosts two annual NASCAR race weekends. The IndyCar Series also raced at the speedway until 2011...
, but crashed on the tenth lap. Berrier's last NASCAR race came in the Craftsman Truck Series
Craftsman Truck Series
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is a pickup truck racing series owned and operated by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing...
season opener in 2003, finishing 13th for Kevin Harvick Incorporated
Kevin Harvick Incorporated
Kevin Harvick Incorporated was a NASCAR team owned by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick and his wife DeLana, who herself is the daughter of a former Busch Series driver, John Linville...
.
Now, Berrier has followed his brother into the crew chief ranks, and will be the pit boss for the upstart NASCAR truck operation, Alex Yontz Racing in 2006.