Jason Ratcliff
Encyclopedia
Jason Ratcliff is an American
NASCAR
crew chief. He began his career in racing working on mini Sprint Cars. In 1995, he became a mechanic and rear tire changer for Sadler Racing. In 1999, Ratcliff became a crew chief for the first time. He is currently employed at Joe Gibbs Racing
as the crew chief for the 18 Nationwide Series car. In 2009, he scored his first championship in the series.
, Ratcliff moved six times throughout his childhood before settling in Westlake
, Louisiana
. As a resident there, he began his racing career working on mini Sprint Cars. In 1985, he graduated from Westlake High School. Afterward, he moved to Texas
, while he continued to work on mini Sprint Cars for the next nine years.
hired him. While being employed there he became a mechanic and rear tire changer for drivers Chuck Bown
and Gary Bradberry
in the Nationwide Series. He worked there for only two years before being employed at LAR Motorsports (headquartered in Columbia, Tennessee
) as a chief mechanic for Casey Atwood
and Jeff Purvis
during the 1997 and 1998 seasons. In 1999, Ratcliff became the crew chief for then Nationwide Series rookie, Casey Atwood while being employed at Brewco Motorsports
. After working as the crew chief for him two years, Casey moved to Evernham Motorsports. Afterward, Jamie McMurray
became Ratcliff's new driver.
During the 2003 and 2004 seasons, he became the crew chief for David Green. While together they won three races, achieved 11 top-fives, 21 top-10s and two pole positions, which resulted in a second place in the final standings, 14 points behind Brian Vickers
. By the end of their relationship, they scored seven wins and seven pole positions. In 2005, Ratcliff moved to Joe Gibbs Racing
as the crew chief for J. J. Yeley
. He remained the crew chief for Yely until 2006. During the two years, Jason Ratcliff was able to achieve 13 top-fives and 34 top-10 finishes. During the next season, Ratcliff was the crew chief for three different drivers: Aric Almirola
, Brad Coleman
and Kevin Conway
, in which they earned two poles, four top-fives and five top-10s.
In 2008, he was the crew chief for Kyle Busch
and Denny Hamlin
, which were both drivers of the 18. He was able to win five races total during the season, four with Busch and one with Hamlin. During 2009
, Kyle Busch became the full time driver of the 18. Ratcliff and Busch won the championship, with nine wins, 11 runner-up finishes, 25 top fives and 2,698 laps led. With their teamwork, Busch was able to lead in all the races except for three. They also led more than 50 percent of the laps in a race an twelve times. Busch led the series points standings after 30 of the 35 events, including the last 29 weeks of the season, leaving little room for doubt in the championship chase.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
crew chief. He began his career in racing working on mini Sprint Cars. In 1995, he became a mechanic and rear tire changer for Sadler Racing. In 1999, Ratcliff became a crew chief for the first time. He is currently employed at Joe Gibbs Racing
Joe Gibbs Racing
Joe Gibbs Racing is a group of NASCAR racing teams owned and operated by former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, who first started racing on the NASCAR circuit in 1991, and J. D. Gibbs, his son...
as the crew chief for the 18 Nationwide Series car. In 2009, he scored his first championship in the series.
Early life
Born on December 8, 1967 in Sumter, South CarolinaSumter, South Carolina
-Demographics:, there were 59,180 people, 34,717 households, and 4,049 families living in the city. The population density was 4,469.5 people per square mile . There were 416,032 housing units at an average density of 603.0 per square mile...
, Ratcliff moved six times throughout his childhood before settling in Westlake
Westlake, Louisiana
Westlake is a city in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, United States and is part of the Lake Charles Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is considered a suburb of Lake Charles. The population was 4,668 at the 2000 census...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. As a resident there, he began his racing career working on mini Sprint Cars. In 1985, he graduated from Westlake High School. Afterward, he moved to Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, while he continued to work on mini Sprint Cars for the next nine years.
Professional racing career
Ten years after graduating high school, Sadler Racing in Nashville, TennesseeNashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
hired him. While being employed there he became a mechanic and rear tire changer for drivers Chuck Bown
Chuck Bown
Richard Charles Bown, Jr. is a former NASCAR champion. His last ride came in 1999. He currently lives with his wife in Asheboro, North Carolina. He is the brother of former fellow NASCAR competitor Jim Bown...
and Gary Bradberry
Gary Bradberry
Gary Bradberry is a race car driver. He raced in the NASCAR All-Pro Series, and had top-ten points finishes from 1990-1993. After that, Bradberry made the jump to major NASCAR leagues...
in the Nationwide Series. He worked there for only two years before being employed at LAR Motorsports (headquartered in Columbia, Tennessee
Columbia, Tennessee
Columbia is a city in Maury County, Tennessee, United States. The 2008 population was 34,402 according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. It is the county seat of Maury County....
) as a chief mechanic for Casey Atwood
Casey Atwood
Casey Lee Atwood is an American race car driver. Atwood is currently a free agent in NASCAR. He married his longtime girlfriend, Laura, in 2005. Atwood and Laura have two daughters, Kaylee and Emma...
and Jeff Purvis
Jeff Purvis
Jeff Purvis is a former race car driver in NASCAR's Nationwide Series. He is a 15-year veteran with four wins and 25 top-five finishes. Purvis is still recovering from a massive brain injury suffered in 2002. He races "Late Model Crates" at Golden Isles Speedway.- Winston Cup Series Career :Purvis...
during the 1997 and 1998 seasons. In 1999, Ratcliff became the crew chief for then Nationwide Series rookie, Casey Atwood while being employed at Brewco Motorsports
Brewco Motorsports
Baker Curb Racing, formerly known as Brewco Motorsports, is a racing team that competes in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, it is owned by Gary Baker, former owner of Bristol Motor Speedway and Nashville Superspeedway, and record executive Mike Curb...
. After working as the crew chief for him two years, Casey moved to Evernham Motorsports. Afterward, Jamie McMurray
Jamie McMurray
James Christopher "Jamie" McMurray is a professional American race car driver. McMurray is best known for winning the 2002 UAW-GM Quality 500 as a substitute driver in his second Winston Cup start, and is one of three drivers to win both the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 in the same year...
became Ratcliff's new driver.
During the 2003 and 2004 seasons, he became the crew chief for David Green. While together they won three races, achieved 11 top-fives, 21 top-10s and two pole positions, which resulted in a second place in the final standings, 14 points behind 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...
. By the end of their relationship, they scored seven wins and seven pole positions. In 2005, Ratcliff moved to Joe Gibbs Racing
Joe Gibbs Racing
Joe Gibbs Racing is a group of NASCAR racing teams owned and operated by former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, who first started racing on the NASCAR circuit in 1991, and J. D. Gibbs, his son...
as the crew chief for J. J. Yeley
J. J. Yeley
Christopher Beltram Hernandez Yeley is a NASCAR driver. Nicknamed "J. J." , he is currently a competitor in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, driving for Front Row Motorsports.-Open wheel:Yeley initially made a mark for himself in the world of auto racing when he took the Hoosier state by...
. He remained the crew chief for Yely until 2006. During the two years, Jason Ratcliff was able to achieve 13 top-fives and 34 top-10 finishes. During the next season, Ratcliff was the crew chief for three different drivers: Aric Almirola
Aric Almirola
Aric A. Almirola is a Cuban-American stock car driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He currently drives the #88 Unilever/Grand Touring Vodka Chevrolet Impala for JR Motorsports. Almirola attended the University of Central Florida working on a degree in mechanical engineering before leaving to...
, Brad Coleman
Brad Coleman
Bradford Coleman is an American stock car driver. He was a high school graduate of Carlisle School.Coleman was discovered at an indoor karting center in Houston, TX by LeMans champion Price Cobb...
and Kevin Conway
Kevin Conway (NASCAR)
Kevin Conway is an American NASCAR driver. He is the 2010 Raybestos Rookie of the Year. Conway has raced in motocross, legends, the World Karting Association, and the United States Automobile Club.-2002-2005:...
, in which they earned two poles, four top-fives and five top-10s.
In 2008, he was the crew chief for 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...
and Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin
James Dennis Alan "Denny" Hamlin is an American race car driver. Though originally born in Tampa, Florida, Hamlin was raised for most of his life in Chesterfield, Virginia. After racing in go-karts for a number of years, he worked his way up to Late Models by 2004 and signed a development contract...
, which were both drivers of the 18. He was able to win five races total during the season, four with Busch and one with Hamlin. During 2009
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...
, Kyle Busch became the full time driver of the 18. Ratcliff and Busch won the championship, with nine wins, 11 runner-up finishes, 25 top fives and 2,698 laps led. With their teamwork, Busch was able to lead in all the races except for three. They also led more than 50 percent of the laps in a race an twelve times. Busch led the series points standings after 30 of the 35 events, including the last 29 weeks of the season, leaving little room for doubt in the championship chase.