Jimmy Elledge Biography
Jimmy Elledge
Crew Chief, No. 42 Dodge Charger
Personal Statistics
Birth Date: July 14, 1970
Birthplace: Redding, Calif.
Residence: Mooresville, N.C.
Marital Status: Single
Children: Karsyn, Kennedy
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Jimmy Elledge has held the role of a teacher, as well as crew chief, at Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) over the last five years. He guided two young drivers through their NASCAR Sprint Cup rookie seasons in that time, and now works with a driver who has an impressive resume but just one season in stock cars under his belt. Elledge will have a new challenge as crew chief for 2007 NASCAR Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year and former Formula One driver Juan Pablo Montoya on the No. 42 Dodge Charger for the remainder of the 2008 season.
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Elledge first guided Casey Mears during his rookie season in 2003, and continued to work with Mears over the next two seasons before Mears moved to the No. 42 Dodge in 2006. Then Elledge led 21-year old Reed Sorenson through his inaugural year in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2006. In 2007, his second year directing Sorenson, Elledge saw the young driver win his first Cup pole at the revered Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Elledge originally intended to make a career as a driver himself before deciding to focus on the mechanical side of racing. He built and raced family-owned go-karts and late model stocks in his hometown of Redding, Calif., before following his father, Terry, to North Carolina.
Elledge made a brief stop in the Nationwide Series as a mechanic at Roush Racing, and began at Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in 1992. Elledge spent six years at RCR, starting in the engine shop with his father, one of the most respected engine builders in the industry, and then moving into the suspension shop before going on the road full time in 1993 with the famous No. 3 car of the late Dale Earnhardt. In addition to his duties with brakes and suspensions at the track, Elledge jumped over the wall changing tires on race day.
Elledge was promoted to car chief in 1997 working beside crew chief and current television analyst Larry McReynolds. That year, Earnhardt finished fifth in the Cup standings with seven top-five and 16 top-10 finishes.
Elledge joined the CGRFS team in 2003 after serving as crew chief at Andy Petree Racing for drivers Bobby Hamilton and Kenny Wallace from 1999 to 2002. Elledge made his first trip to victory lane as a crew chief at Talladega Superspeedway on April 22, 2001 with Hamilton behind the wheel of the No. 55 car. That season, Elledge and Hamilton earned one win, three top-five and seven top-10 finishes.
Elledge hopes to guide Montoya to victory lane in 2008 and earn a spot in the “Chase to the Sprint Cup” by season’s end. |
