Jeff Hammond

Jeff Hammond is a prominent figure in American motorsports, renowned for his achievements as a NASCAR crew chief, broadcaster, and team executive.

Hammond's passion for sports began early; he was recognized as a High School Prep Football All-American during his time at North Mecklenburg High School. He continued his athletic pursuits at East Carolina University, playing football until a career-ending injury in 1975 shifted his focus to motorsports. That same year, he embarked on his NASCAR career as a tire changer for Walter Ballard, quickly advancing to become one of the sport's top jackmen. His skill contributed to Cale Yarborough's three consecutive Winston Cup championships from 1976 to 1978.

In 1982, Hammond was promoted to crew chief for Darrell Waltrip at Junior Johnson Motorsports. Their collaboration proved formidable, securing 43 race victories and two Winston Cup Series championships in 1982 and 1985. The duo also triumphed at the 1989 Daytona 500 with Hendrick Motorsports. Throughout his career, Hammond worked with several notable drivers, including Terry Labonte and Kurt Busch, and concluded his crew chief tenure with 508 races under his belt.

Transitioning from the pit box to the broadcast booth, Hammond joined Fox Sports in 2001 as an analyst for NASCAR coverage. He became a familiar face on programs like "NASCAR Race Hub" and "NASCAR RaceDay," offering insights drawn from his extensive on-track experience. His engaging commentary and deep knowledge of the sport earned him a Sports Emmy nomination in 2006 for Outstanding Sports Person – Studio Analyst.

Hammond has also been involved in the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX), a short-track racing series launched in 2021 by Tony Stewart and Ray Evernham. In SRX, Hammond serves primarily as a pit reporter and analyst, leveraging his deep mechanical knowledge and decades of experience in NASCAR to provide insightful commentary and interviews during races.

Beyond broadcasting, Hammond co-founded Red Horse Racing in 2005, a team that competed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series until 2017. In 2024, he took on the role of general manager and crew chief for Freedom Racing Enterprises, a team participating in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

In recognition of his contributions to motorsports, Hammond received the Smokey Yunick Award in 2019, honoring his innovative spirit and impact on NASCAR. He also authored the book "Real Men Work in the Pits: A Life in NASCAR Racing," providing an insider's perspective on the sport.