Bio

CHAD JOHNSTON:  CREW CHIEF NO. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS TOYOTA

No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS driver Martin Truex Jr. knows when he pulls into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage in 2013, he has someone leading his crew who understands his feedback and has the expertise to make his Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota go faster.

That’s because his crew chief Chad Johnston is a racer himself.

The 32-year-old grew up racing open wheel midget cars on the paved and dirt short tracks in Indiana. That driving experience helps him absorb the information Truex provides from the driver’s seat and make changes to better the car.

Listen to any successful driver and crew chief combination in NASCAR and they will attribute most of their success to one thing: communication. Truex and Johnston spend time together away from the track. The pair live across the street from one another in Mooresville, N.C.

Johnston’s career in NASCAR began in 2004 and has included stints with drivers Kasey Kahne, Marcos Ambrose, Elliott Sadler, Scott Riggs and Dennis Setzer. Johnston and Truex have built momentum since his elevation to the crew chief position during the 2011 season. 

The pair enjoyed a successful 2012 season joining Clint Bowyer’s No. 15 5-hour ENERGY team in earning MWR its first two berths in NASCAR’s Chase for the Sprint Cup. The No. 56 won a pole, posted seven top-five and 19 top-10 finishes. Truex led 434 laps on its way to an 11th-place finish.

There isn’t a lengthy job description for either Johnston or Truex. Car owner Waltrip has made the team goals rather simple – make the Chase and win races. Both Truex and Johnston know the goal and have no doubt about their ability to become a frequent visitor to victory lane as well as return to the Chase in 2013.