- Greg Zipadelli
Greg Zipadelli (born
April 21 ,1967 inBerlin, Connecticut ), is aNASCAR Sprint Cup crew chief forTony Stewart , who currently drives the #20Home Depot Toyota Camry owned by formerNFL CoachJoe Gibbs .Racing career
Greg Zipadelli began his career in the
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour series, becoming the crew chief for his family's team and immediately winning a championship with driverMike McLaughlin in 1988, at the tender age of 21. When McLaughlin advanced to theBusch North Series in 1990, Zipadelli joined him, winning five races during the pair's four-year tenure together, and claimed another championship in 1997 as the crew chief forMike Stefanik . But his greatest fame and success would be achieved when he joinedJoe Gibbs Racing in 1999, partnering withIndyCar Series champion turnedNASCAR rookieTony Stewart . Their accomplishments include the 1999Rookie of the Year title, winning a stunning three races, a feat which has only been tied byJimmie Johnson in 2002, threeChase for the NEXTEL Cup appearances, two championships in 2002 and 2005. The duo of "Smoke" (Stewart) and "Zippy" (Zipadelli) currently have the longest crew chief-driver relationship in NASCAR. However, that relationship will end as of the 2008 Season. In 2009, Stewart is moving over toStewart-Haas Racing to drive the #14 car. JGR Nationwide driverJoey Logano will take over the driving of the #20 Home Depot Camry, with Zipadelli acting as crew chief.Zipadelli has 3 children, Zachary Charles, Elwina Sophia, and Gianni Greogry, with his wife Nan.
References
* [http://www.gregzipadelli.com Greg Zipadelli's home page]
External links
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