Crew Chiefs
Ryan Pemberton: Biography
Birth date: June 1, 1969
Hometown: Saratoga Springs, N. Y.
Residence: Mooresville, N. C.
Spouse: Andrea
Children: Daughter - Payton (12/3/03)
Ryan Pemberton is in his 11th season as a NASCAR Nextel Cup crew chief and the
eighth with Ginn Racing (formerly MB2 Motorsports). He will continue to crew
chief the No. 01 U.S. Army Chevrolet that will be co-driven in 2007 by Mark
Martin and Regan Smith.
Pemberton previously worked with Martin in the late 1980s when he served as a
mechanic under his brother Robin Pemberton, who was Martin's crew chief at Roush
Racing. Ryan was a member of the No. 6 Roush team when Martin scored his first
victory in 1989 at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham.
Born and raised in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Ryan Pemberton began his crew chief
career in 1996 for Larry Pearson's NASCAR Busch Series team. The following year
he graduated to the Cup series, calling the shots for the MB2-owned car driven
by Derrike Cope.
In 1998, Ernie Irvan took over the MB2 driving duties and he and Pemberton
combined for three poles and 11 top 10s. The team finished 15th in the final
owner's point standings, a career best for both Pemberton and the MB2 team.
After three years with MB2, Pemberton joined Jasper Motorsports in 2000. Under
Pemberton's direction, the No. 77 Jasper entry showed marked improvement.
The year before Pemberton arrived, the Jasper team finished 39th in owner
points. During Pemberton's reign, the Jasper team owner point finishes were: 26
(2000), 23 (2001) and 19 (2002).
Pemberton returned to MB2 in 2003 to work with driver Jerry Nadeau in the
newly-formed U.S. Army sponsorship car. The season turned out to be one of the
most complex for Pemberton.
Nadeau was seriously injured in an accident in early May at Richmond (Va.)
International Raceway and what ensued for Pemberton was a lineup of five
substitute drivers during the remainder of the season. - Jason Keller, Mike
Wallace, Boris Said, Mike Skinner and Joe Nemechek.
Pemberton's coolness and savvy prevailed through the adversity as he led the
team to respectable finishes and a number of strong qualifying efforts,
including pole positions in Sonoma, Calif. (with Said) and at the fall race in
Richmond (with Skinner).
The 2004 season was the most rewarding for Pemberton, who scored his first win
as a crew chief when Nemechek captured the Kansas victory from the pole.
Though Nemechek finished 19th in the season standings, he ended the 2004
campaign as one of the hottest drivers, ranking in the top-10 in points during
the final 10 races.
Pemberton and Nemechek came back in 2005 and finished 16th in driver points,
three positions better than in 2004.
As did his three brothers - Robin, Randy and Roman - Ryan (third oldest) made
the trek from Albany-Saratoga Speedway in upstate New York to North Carolina to
work in NASCAR. Robin, the oldest of the Pemberton siblings, is currently
NASCAR's vice-president of competition.