15.Cotton Owens, 16.Junie DonLavey, 17.Andy Petree, 18.Herb Nab, 19.Buddy Parrott, 20.Harry Hyde, 21.Kirk Shelmerdine, 22.Tony Glover, 23.Chad Knaus, 24.Tim Brewer , 25.Ernie Elliott, 26.Gary Nelson, 27.Ray Nichels, 28.Jeff Hammond, 29.Red Vogt, 30.Paul Andrews, 31.Leo Jackson, 32.Mario Rossi, 33.Greg Zippideli, 34.Larry McReynolds, 35.Maurice Petty, 36.Robin Pemberton, 37.Steve Hmiel, 38.Mike Beam, 39.Tiger Tom Pistone, 40.Robbie Loomis, 41.Jimmy Makar, 42.Marion Cox, 43.Louie Clements, 44.Doug Richert, 45.Jimmy Fennig, 46.Donnie Wingo, 47.Robbie Reiser, 48.Tommy Baldwin, 49.Red Farmer, 50.Hubert Hensley

Pretty impressive, huh? I wonder how it would turn out if one were to attempt to rank them considering all eras. In other words…how would Chad Knaus compare to Smokey Yunick? It is interesting to see in this result that Knaus ended up 23rd when using the guidelines described above. Does this mean that voters do not give him credit for advancing the sport …compared to others in his era? Does it mean that folks do not think he excels compared to others in his era?

Personally, I find it hard to argue with most of this outcome. I think what I see here is a result that represents a thought process that credits crew chiefs in an era when their creativity advanced the sport. One cannot argue that Smokey Yunick and others such Junior Johnson and possibly Gary Nelson may have advanced the rule books.

I would be very interested in getting your thoughts. Please comment.

By: Jeff Gilder