Ryan Pemberton

The Saratoga Springs, N.Y. native 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 the owner's points. During Pemberton's reign, the Jasper team owner's 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.

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.

Pemberton's first job in NASCAR was in 1987, working under the tutelage of older brother Robin, who was a crew chief at Roush Racing. Robin is currently NASCAR's vice-president of competition and younger brother Roman is a mechanic and team spotter for MB2/U.S. Army team.