As much as a crew chief can affect the career of a driver, the opposite is also true in many cases. Good chemistry between a driver and their crew chief can yield far superior outcomes than individual skills alone.
One of the most recognizable faces in NASCAR, Larry McReynolds has had a long-standing career in the sport and has stayed relevant for a few decades now. Recently, the veteran crew chief recalled a moment from the early days of his career and wrote a heartfelt caption on X remembering two of his old buddies.
McReynolds’ NASCAR Career and His Heartfelt Memory From Robert Yates Racing in 1991
Before taking up duties as the head of a race car crew or an analyst, McReynolds started his career as a race car mechanic in 1975. He began working on late model cars around Birmingham, Alabama, and over the next decade, he worked his way up to heading an entire crew.
His first appointment as crew chief was for Joe Ruttman’s No. 26 team at King Racing in 1985. Although he did not achieve instant success at King Racing, he started making a name for himself with his keen strategic acumen.
McReynolds did not see a win in his stint as crew chief until 1988 when Ricky Rudd arrived in victory lane at Watkins Glen International. Although his crew only managed a single win in the season, with a handful of other impressive finishes, the year turned out to be a strong momentum-builder.
In the following years, more top-five finishes and wins followed for his team, and McReynolds started building a reputation for himself. Then, in 1991, McReynolds made a move to Robert Yates Racing and headed Davey Allison’s No. 28 crew.
His partnership with Allison turned out to be more successful than most would have imagined. In his very first year at the helm, McReynolds registered five victories and more than a couple of top-five finishes with the talented young driver.
Win #3 of the 1991 season, my first year at the #28, RYR & Davey Allison! These 2 guys impacted my career and my life in many positive ways! I miss them both so much! https://t.co/Y4epqT1h3y
— Larry McReynolds (@LarryMac28) June 23, 2025
Recently, an X user posted a picture from 1991 where Allison, McReynolds, and Yates celebrated their victory at the Miller Genuine Draft 400 in Michigan.
When McReynolds saw the post, he posted it on his own handle and recalled his third win with the No. 28 squad. He also mentioned how Yates and Allison affected his life in a positive manner outside the track as well.
McReynolds was the crew chief of Allison’s team until the driver’s untimely demise on July 13, 1993, following a helicopter crash at Talladega Superspeedway. The pair combined to win 11 races and three pole positions during their partnership, including Allison’s victory in the 1992 Daytona 500.
McReynolds’ Career After Allison
McReynolds stayed on with Robert Yates Racing for a few more years, working with Ernie Irvan, who took over the No. 28 ride after Allison’s death. The partnership with Irvan proved successful, producing seven wins between late 1993 and 1996, though Irvan missed most of the 1995 season due to injury.
In 1997, McReynolds made a move to Richard Childress Racing to head Dale Earnhardt’s crew. He stayed with Earnhardt until the seven-time champion’s first and only Daytona 500 win in 1998, one of the most celebrated victories in NASCAR history.
After that historic triumph, McReynolds transitioned to work with Mike Skinner in the No. 31 car until 2000. Following the 2000 season, he retired from his duties as a full-time crew chief and transitioned to his career as a NASCAR broadcaster and analyst.
During his 16-year career as a crew chief from 1985 to 2000, McReynolds amassed 23 Cup Series wins, 21 poles, 122 top-five finishes, and 209 top-10 finishes.
Although McReynolds has made guest appearances as a crew chief several times over the years, including recent stints with Jeffrey Earnhardt and Jordan Anderson, he primarily focuses on his media career in NASCAR as a race analyst for FOX Sports.
