Pat Tryson 2007 Sporting News “Crew Chief of the Year"

Miller Lite Dodge crew chief Pat Tryson officially accepts the 2007 Sporting News "Crew Chief of the Year" Award from Sporting News staff member Matt Crossman during Saturday's activities at Daytona International Speedway. © Steve Rose 2008 - All Rights Reserved

Miller Lite Dodge team leader Pat Tryson’s effort last season garnered him the prestigious 2007 Sporting News “Crew Chief of the Year” designation.  Veteran journalist Reid Spencer wrote the following in last November’s Sporting News article announcing the award winners:

It's hard to overlook Chad Knaus, an inseparable part of Johnson's championship equation. It's equally difficult to pass over Gil Martin, who helped Cup series sophomore Clint Bowyer to his first win and a third-place finish in the Chase.

The real difference-maker on the pit box, however, was Tryson, who took over as crew chief for Kurt Busch's No. 2 Penske Dodge before the road course event at Infineon Raceway in late June. Before the change, Busch had been foundering. Four straight finishes outside the top 15, along with a 100-point penalty for a pit road incident with Tony Stewart at Dover, had dropped the 2004 champ to 16th in points.

Two weeks after the Infineon race, Busch finished third in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona. August brought victories at Pocono and Michigan, and Busch qualified for the Chase and finished seventh in the final standings. Tryson's know-how, and his calming influence, had a lot to do with their success.

“It was a real honor to receive that notoriety, especially with the great jobs done by so many crew chiefs last year,” said Tryson.  “They may have cited me for it, but it was a tribute to Kurt and our whole Miller Lite Dodge Team.”

Added his driver, Busch:  "Just think about the big statement winning that award meant.  The fact is that Pat didn't even join our team until June and he was on our pit box for only 21 of the 36 races.  That's pretty incredible if you ask me.  It's like spotting all the other competitors 15 races to make their marks and then going out there and making a huge impact and a major statement in a relatively short period of time.  I am so proud of Pat and thrilled to have him as our team's leader."

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