Chad Anthony “The Magician” Knaus, born on August 5, 1971, in Rockford, Illinois, has a remarkable journey in the world of NASCAR. Growing up around Midwest racetracks, he assisted his father, John, in racing against legends like Mark Martin, Alan Kulwicki, Rusty Wallace, and Dick Trickle. At just 14, Knaus served as crew chief during his father’s championship season at Rockford Speedway, marking the beginning of an illustrious career.
The father-son duo went on to claim the Great Northern Series championship and secured second place in the NASCAR Winston Racing Series. Knaus, with seven track championships under his belt, made a pivotal move to North Carolina in 1991, seeking opportunities in national stock car racing.
Commencing his NASCAR journey at Hendrick Motorsports, Knaus worked his way up under the mentorship of Hall of Famer Ray Evernham, part of the renowned ‘Rainbow Warriors.’ Progressing from a general fabricator to overseeing the entire chassis and body construction program for the No. 24 team from 1993 to 1997, Knaus contributed to championship victories in 1995 and 1997.
Post-1997, Knaus joined Dale Earnhardt, Inc. as car chief before transitioning to Tyler Jet Motorsports. In 1999, Evernham invited him to lead the Dodge development team at Melling Racing. Over his 19-year career as a crew chief, spanning four teams, including Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, Melling Racing, Tyler Jet Motorsports, and Hendrick Motorsports, Knaus accumulated 81 victories with Jimmie Johnson.
A NASCAR legend, Knaus is the sole crew chief to secure five consecutive championships and has played a role in 11 NASCAR Cup Series championships, seven with Johnson, three with Jeff Gordon, and one with William Byron. Notably, he is the only crew chief to win the Daytona 500 with three different drivers: Gordon, Johnson, and Byron.
In 2019, Knaus transitioned to the No. 24 team, working with William Byron, who clinched his first career win in 2020. Knaus’s 19-year tenure at Hendrick Motorsports began in 2002 with Jimmie Johnson, resulting in a record-tying seven championships and 81 victories with the No. 48 Chevrolet.
Recognized for his meticulous preparation, attention to detail, and team motivation, Knaus earned the moniker “The Magician” for turning around struggling teams and drivers. He is highly respected in the NASCAR community, with inductions into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame and the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame. Additionally, Knaus stands as a nominee for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
