LARRY  MCREYNOLDS   -   01/10/1959

McReynolds was born in Birmingham, Alabama as the eldest of six children.  Larry's NASCAR career began in 1975.  His first time atop the pit wagon was in 1982 when he led Mark Martin in 1982.  He worked his way up the ladder and took his first full time crew chief job in 1986 heading up the efforts of Joe Ruttman for owner Kenny Bernstein.  The next season Ruttman was replaced by Morgan Shepherd.  In 1988 Ricky Rudd was hired to wheel the Bernstein machine and McReynolds first win as a crew chief came that year at Watkins Glen.  He won on at the Somona road course again in 1989, and with Brett Bodine at North Wilkesboro in 1990.  In 1991 McReynolds paired up with Davey Allison.  The combination in 1991 of McReynolds, Robert Yates and driver Allison was pure magic!  From 1991-1993 they brought home 11 wins and 3 pole positions.  They won The Winston All-Star race back-to-back in 1991 & 1992.  As crew chief, Larry won his first Daytona 500 in 1992 with Davey behind the wheel of the famous #28 Texaco Ford.  The

pair had also won the World 600 in 1991.  Allison was killed in a tragic helicopter accident in July, and Yates finished out the season with various drivers.  McReynolds paired with Ernie Irvin to win two races before the end of that season.  The duo stayed together in 1994 and posted three wins and 15 Top 5 finishes in the first 20 races. But tragedy would strike once again, as Irvan suffered severe injuries in practice at Michigan in a practice; nearly being killed.  Kenny Wallace would finish out the season.  In 1995 McReynolds paired with Dale Jarrett, and they won once in 1995.  Recovered from his injuries, Irvin returned to Yates with McReynolds once again at the helm.  They won two events in 1996.  In 1997 McReynolds moved to Richard Childress Racing to lead Dale Earnhardt Sr.  1998 started out with McReyolds leading Earnhardt, and they won the Daytona 500.  But after 13 events, Childress swapped McReynolds with Kevin Hamlin as McReynolds would lead Mike Skinner's team.  He would finish out his career with Skinner in 2000.  In 2001 he ventured into the Fox Sports broadcast booth with Mike Joy and three time Winston Cup champion Darrell Waltrip.  Thirteen years later, Larry finds great joy as Race Analyst for the NASCAR Cup races with FOX Sports during the first half of the race season.  For his career as a crew chief McReynolds garnered 23 wins, The Coke 600, and two Daytona 500's. His final win coming in the 1998 race with Earnhardt Sr.

 

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