Lance McGrew
Encyclopedia
Lance McGrew is the current crew chief for the #5 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
driven by Mark Martin
and owned by Hendrick Motorsports
.
with his father, Les. McGrew broadened his racing knowledge at Louisiana State University
where he majored in mechanical engineering
.
in the early 1990s and joined the BACE Motorsports
NASCAR
Busch Series team driven by his future Hendrick Motorsports
teammate, Jack Sprague
. McGrew started by doing basic tasks such as sweeping the floors and washing the team transporter.
, McGrew joined Hendrick Motorsports
as a crew member of the #24 Busch Series team with driver Jeff Gordon
, and it wasn’t long before McGrew became a crew chief within the organization.
Only a year later, McGrew was named the Nationwide Series crew chief for the #24 Chevrolet, shared by Jeff Gordon and Ricky Hendrick
during a limited schedule. Gordon captured the season-finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway
in 2000, giving McGrew his first career win as a crew chief.
McGrew and Ricky Hendrick developed a good relationship during the 2000 season, and the duo was paired up again – this time for a full season in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2001. McGrew guided Hendrick and the No. 17 team to a win at Kansas Speedway
in July of that year, making Hendrick, then 21, the youngest competitor in history to win a Truck Series event at the time. McGrew led the team to one win, eight top-five finishes and 19 top-10s.
In 2002, McGrew moved from the Truck Series to the Busch Series and became the crew chief for the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
, which was to be driven by Hendrick. The team collected four top-five finishes and eight top-10s.
After only three years of experience as a crew chief, McGrew led Brian Vickers
and the #5 Hendrick Motorsports team to win the 2003 Busch Series championship. The title was the first-ever in the Busch Series for Hendrick Motorsports. The #5 team finished the season with three wins, one pole position, 13 top-five finishes and 21 top-10s.
McGrew’s Busch Series success as crew chief continued in 2004 with Kyle Busch
, who drove the #5 Chevy full-time for Hendrick Motorsports. The team ended the season with five wins, five poles, 16 top-five finishes and 22 top-10s en route to a second-place finish in the championship standings. Busch won Rookie of the Year honors.
At the end of the 2004 season, McGrew was named crew chief of the #25 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, which was driven by Vickers in the NASCAR
Nextel Cup Series. McGrew, then a rookie in the Cup scene, helped lead the #25 Hendrick Motorsports team to its best season since 2001. The team finished 17th in the 2005 championship standings with five top-five finishes and 10 top-10s.
In 2006, McGrew and the #25 team improved on their previous Cup season by recording a 15th-place finish in the championship standings with one win, one pole, five top-five finishes and nine top-10s.
In 2007
, McGrew transitioned into a new role at Hendrick Motorsports. McGrew became the crew chief for Hendrick Motorsports research and development team, which played a major role in the organization’s development of its Impala SS. McGrew continued this role in 2008
.
In addition to his duties as crew chief for Hendrick Motorsports R&D team, McGrew filled in as crew chief for the #5 JR Motorsports
team in 2008
for six Nationwide Series races. In those six races, McGrew was able to guide the #5 team to Victory Lane at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
in March with veteran Mark Martin
.
Later in the 2008
season, McGrew once again played the crew chief role. This time it was for the young, up-and-coming driver Brad Keselowski
, who made his first two career Sprint Cup Series starts in the #25 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy.
In 2009
, McGrew won the NASCAR
Nationwide Series
season opening Camping World 300 at Daytona International Speedway
as Tony Stewart's
crew chief on the #80 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet. He then continued as crew chief of Brad Keselowski's cup car. In his last race working with Keselowski, he earned a seventh place finish in the Southern 500
at Darlington Raceway
.
On May 28, 2009, it was announce he would replace Tony Eury, Jr.
as crew chief on an interim basis for Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
beginning at the Pocono 500
at Pocono Raceway
, but after Keselowski failed to qualify for the Autism Speaks 400
at Dover International Speedway
, McGrew immediately replaced Eury. Earnhardt, Jr. finished twelfth at Dover.On October 30, 2009, McGrew was selected as Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s full-time crew chief for the 2010
season.
During the 2009 fall kansas race Lance put the 88 on the pole with Earnhardt as a driver. He stated "Dont say a word" but the time was later bettered by Lance's 2011 driver, Mark Martin who got marks run off turn four to set the pole for that race.
One season later, he became Mark Martin
's crew chief for 2011 where he finished 9th with Martin during the Michigan spring race. This race excited lance to the point where he yelled "P9 BUD GREAT JOB GREAT JOB TODAY EVERYBODY" over the radio. In July 2011, Hendrick Motorsports announced that Kenny Francis will replace him as crew chief for the No. 5 car, as McGrew moves to K&N east to crew chief driver Chase Elliot.
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
driven by Mark Martin
Mark Martin
Mark Martin may refer to:* Mark Martin , American racecar driver* Mark Martin , American cartoonist* Mark Martin , American judge* Mark Martin , British murderer...
and owned by 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...
.
Early years
Lance McGrew’s passion for racing started when he just a kid growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and attending local dirt track racesDirt track racing
Dirt track racing is a type of auto racing performed on oval tracks. It began in the United States before World War I and became widespread during the 1920s and 30s. Two different types of racecars predominated—open wheel racers in the Northeast and West and stock cars in the South...
with his father, Les. McGrew broadened his racing knowledge at Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
where he majored in mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
.
BACE Motorsports
McGrew moved to North CarolinaNorth Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
in the early 1990s and joined the BACE Motorsports
BACE Motorsports
BACE Motorsports is a former championship-winning NASCAR team. It was owned by entrepreneur Bill Baumgardner, who also founded Staff America. Baumgardner was inspired to start his own team after Staff America was a sponsor in the Busch Series for two years...
NASCAR
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...
Busch Series team driven by his future 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...
teammate, Jack Sprague
Jack Sprague
Jack Sprague is a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver. He is currently a free agent. Sprague has finished in the top-ten in the points standings almost every year he has raced in the trucks, and won three championships in 1997, 1999, and 2001 while driving for Hendrick Motorsports.-...
. McGrew started by doing basic tasks such as sweeping the floors and washing the team transporter.
Hendrick Motorsports
In 19991999 in NASCAR
The 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on Sunday February 7 and ended on Sunday November 21. Robert Yates Racing driver Dale Jarrett was crowned the champion...
, McGrew joined 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 a crew member of the #24 Busch Series team with driver Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon
Jeffery Michael "Jeff" Gordon is a professional NASCAR driver. He is the driver of the #24 Drive to End Hunger/DuPont/Pepsi Chevrolet Impala. He is a four-time Sprint Cup Series champion and a three-time Daytona 500 winner. He is third on the all-time wins list, with 85 career wins, and has the...
, and it wasn’t long before McGrew became a crew chief within the organization.
Only a year later, McGrew was named the Nationwide Series crew chief for the #24 Chevrolet, shared by Jeff Gordon and Ricky Hendrick
Ricky Hendrick
Joseph Riddick Hendrick IV , also known as Ricky Hendrick, was an American NASCAR stock car driver and partial owner at Hendrick Motorsports, a team that his father Rick Hendrick founded. He was born in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 2, 1980, and began his career in racing at the age of fifteen...
during a limited schedule. Gordon captured the season-finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Homestead-Miami Speedway is a race track in Homestead, Florida southwest of Miami.Since 2002 Homestead has hosted the final races of the season in all three of NASCAR's series: the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and the Camping World Truck Series...
in 2000, giving McGrew his first career win as a crew chief.
McGrew and Ricky Hendrick developed a good relationship during the 2000 season, and the duo was paired up again – this time for a full season in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2001. McGrew guided Hendrick and the No. 17 team to a win 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...
in July of that year, making Hendrick, then 21, the youngest competitor in history to win a Truck Series event at the time. McGrew led the team to one win, eight top-five finishes and 19 top-10s.
In 2002, McGrew moved from the Truck Series to the Busch Series and became the crew chief for the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
, which was to be driven by Hendrick. The team collected four top-five finishes and eight top-10s.
After only three years of experience as a crew chief, McGrew led Brian Vickers
Brian Vickers
Brian Lee Vickers is a American NASCAR driver. He was the 2003 Busch Series champion, and at age 20, became the youngest champion in any of NASCAR's three top-tier series...
and the #5 Hendrick Motorsports team to win the 2003 Busch Series championship. The title was the first-ever in the Busch Series for Hendrick Motorsports. The #5 team finished the season with three wins, one pole position, 13 top-five finishes and 21 top-10s.
McGrew’s Busch Series success as crew chief continued in 2004 with Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch
Kyle Thomas Busch, is an American NASCAR driver and team owner. He currently drives the No. 18 Mars/Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Sprint Cup Series, the No. 18 Z-Line Designs/NOS Energy Drink Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs in the Nationwide Series, and the No...
, who drove the #5 Chevy full-time for Hendrick Motorsports. The team ended the season with five wins, five poles, 16 top-five finishes and 22 top-10s en route to a second-place finish in the championship standings. Busch won Rookie of the Year honors.
At the end of the 2004 season, McGrew was named crew chief of the #25 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, which was driven by Vickers in the NASCAR
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...
Nextel Cup Series. McGrew, then a rookie in the Cup scene, helped lead the #25 Hendrick Motorsports team to its best season since 2001. The team finished 17th in the 2005 championship standings with five top-five finishes and 10 top-10s.
In 2006, McGrew and the #25 team improved on their previous Cup season by recording a 15th-place finish in the championship standings with one win, one pole, five top-five finishes and nine top-10s.
In 2007
2007 in NASCAR
The 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season began on February 10, 2007 at Daytona International Speedway with the Budweiser Shootout and ended on November 18 of that same year at Homestead-Miami Speedway with the Ford 400. The Chase for the NEXTEL Cup began with the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire...
, McGrew transitioned into a new role at Hendrick Motorsports. McGrew became the crew chief for Hendrick Motorsports research and development team, which played a major role in the organization’s development of its Impala SS. McGrew continued this role in 2008
2008 in NASCAR
There were three NASCAR national series in 2008:*2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series - The top racing series in NASCAR*2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series - The second-tier NASCAR racing series*2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series - The third-tier NASCAR racing series...
.
In addition to his duties as crew chief for Hendrick Motorsports R&D team, McGrew filled in as crew chief for the #5 JR Motorsports
JR Motorsports
JR Motorsports is a NASCAR team based in Mooresville, North Carolina, co-owned by NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr., his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller, cousin and former crew chief Tony Eury, Jr., and the owner of his Cup ride Rick Hendrick. It currently fields the No...
team in 2008
2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series
The 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series began on February 16, 2008, at Daytona International Speedway with the Camping World 300, and ended on November 15, 2008, at Homestead-Miami Speedway with the Ford 300. This was the first season in which NASCAR's second-tier series was known as the Nationwide...
for six Nationwide Series races. In those six races, McGrew was able to guide the #5 team to Victory Lane at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas Motor Speedway, located in Clark County, Nevada near Las Vegas, is a complex of multiple tracks for automobile racing. The complex is owned by Speedway Motorsports, Inc., which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.-History:...
in March with veteran Mark Martin
Mark Martin
Mark Martin may refer to:* Mark Martin , American racecar driver* Mark Martin , American cartoonist* Mark Martin , American judge* Mark Martin , British murderer...
.
Later in the 2008
2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
The 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season began on February 9, 2008 at Daytona International Speedway with the Budweiser Shootout, followed by pole qualifying on Sunday, February 10, 2008 for the 50th Daytona 500 on February 17...
season, McGrew once again played the crew chief role. This time it was for the young, up-and-coming driver Brad Keselowski
Brad Keselowski
Bradley Robert Keselowski is an American auto racing driver currently competing in the #2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger in the Sprint Cup Series and the #22 Discount Tire Company/Ruby Tuesday Dodge Challenger in the Nationwide Series for Penske Racing...
, who made his first two career Sprint Cup Series starts in the #25 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy.
In 2009
2009 in NASCAR
There were three NASCAR national series in 2009:*2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series - The top racing series in NASCAR*2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series - The second-highest racing series in NASCAR...
, McGrew won the NASCAR
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...
Nationwide Series
2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series
The 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series began on February 14, 2009 at Daytona International Speedway with the Camping World 300. The season concluded on November 21, 2009 at Homestead-Miami Speedway with the Ford 300. With 25 top-five finishes, Kyle Busch was the season champion...
season opening Camping World 300 at Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a race track in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. Since opening in 1959, it has been the home of the Daytona 500, one of the most prestigious races in NASCAR. In addition to NASCAR, the track also hosts races of ARCA, AMA Superbike, Grand-Am and Motocross...
as Tony Stewart's
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...
crew chief on the #80 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet. He then continued as crew chief of Brad Keselowski's cup car. In his last race working with Keselowski, he earned a seventh place finish in the Southern 500
2009 Southern 500 presented by GoDaddy.com
The 2009 Southern 500 presented by GoDaddy.com, was the 53rd annual running of the Rebel 500, traditionally held on Confederate Memorial Day, the eleventh race of the NASCAR Sprint Cup season, was held on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at Darlington Speedway in Darlington, South Carolina...
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"...
.
On May 28, 2009, it was announce he would replace Tony Eury, Jr.
Tony Eury, Jr.
Tony Eury Jr. is the crew chief for the JR Motorsports #7 Go Daddy Chevrolet Impala driven by Danica Patrick and Kelly Bires in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Eury had been the head of Hendrick Motorsports Research and development group but, previous to that, he served as crew chief for Dale...
as crew chief on an interim basis for Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
* NOTE: References to "Earnhardt", "he", and "him" refer to the subject of this article, unless otherwise specified. References to his father will include "Sr."...
beginning at the Pocono 500
Pocono 500
The 5-hour Energy 500 is the first of two stock car races held at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, on the NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule in mid-June, the other being the Pennsylvania 500, usually held in early August. The Pocono 500 replaced a 400-mile race at Texas World Speedway on...
at Pocono Raceway
Pocono Raceway
Pocono Raceway also known as the Tricky Triangle, is a superspeedway located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania at Long Pond...
, but after Keselowski failed to qualify for the Autism Speaks 400
2009 Autism Speaks 400 presented by Heluva Good!
The 2009 Autism Speaks 400 presented by Heluva Good! was the thirteenth points race in the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, marking the halfway point to the 2009 Chase for the Sprint Cup, and was held at the Dover International Speedway in Delaware's state capital city May 31 of that year,...
at Dover International Speedway
Dover International Speedway
Dover International Speedway is a NASCAR-sanctioned race track located in Dover, Delaware, owned by, and serving as the corporate headquarters of, Dover Motorsports, Inc. It is co-located with a harness racing track, Dover Downs, and shares the complex with Dover Downs Hotel & Casino...
, McGrew immediately replaced Eury. Earnhardt, Jr. finished twelfth at Dover.On October 30, 2009, McGrew was selected as Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s full-time crew chief for the 2010
2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
The 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season was the 62nd season of professional stock car racing in the United States. Beginning at Daytona International Speedway, the season included 36 races and two exhibition races. The season concluded with the 2010 Ford 400 at Homestead Miami Speedway...
season.
During the 2009 fall kansas race Lance put the 88 on the pole with Earnhardt as a driver. He stated "Dont say a word" but the time was later bettered by Lance's 2011 driver, Mark Martin who got marks run off turn four to set the pole for that race.
One season later, he became Mark Martin
Mark Martin
Mark Martin may refer to:* Mark Martin , American racecar driver* Mark Martin , American cartoonist* Mark Martin , American judge* Mark Martin , British murderer...
's crew chief for 2011 where he finished 9th with Martin during the Michigan spring race. This race excited lance to the point where he yelled "P9 BUD GREAT JOB GREAT JOB TODAY EVERYBODY" over the radio. In July 2011, Hendrick Motorsports announced that Kenny Francis will replace him as crew chief for the No. 5 car, as McGrew moves to K&N east to crew chief driver Chase Elliot.