A crew chief can make or break a driver. Good drivers can be hindered by a mediocre crew chief, and average drivers can be propelled to victory if they have a great crew chief.
Of course, when you pair a top notch crew chief with an elite driver, the end result is usually a championship season. Or, in the case of Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus, multiple championship seasons.
Johnson and Knaus have won seven championships as a duo, and FOX NASCAR analyst Andy Petree said Knaus is the greatest crew chief of all time.
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Petree said it's amazing what the two have accomplished together, and they're not finished, either. Johnson has three wins this season.
"I think you have to put Chad Knaus' name at the top," Petree said. "To win seven championships and 81 races, that's a big number. Especially in the environment we're talking about."
Johnson is outside of the top 10 in the points this season, but his three wins on the year are tied for second with Kyle Larson trailing only Martin Truex Jr.
Johnson and Knaus might not be the favorites this year, but it would be foolish to count them out given their success together.
(h/t NASCAR on FOX)