Stewart-Haas Racing may have shut shop in 2024, but their legends continue to grace the motorsports world. The inevitability of their close was employees dispersing everywhere, Chase Briscoe landed at Joe Gibbs Racing while Rodney Childres at Spire Motorsports. While these notable names remained in the Cup Series, one former crew chief has made the move to a much smaller team.

Rette Jones Racing has long been a fixture in the NASCAR scene. The team has competed in various series, including the ARCA Menards Series and Xfinity Series. While the team has earned significant experience with over 150 races across multiple divisions, they have yet to secure a drivers’ championship in any of the major series.

Despite this, Rette Jones Racing continues to show promise with a strong presence in grassroots motorsports, setting the stage for what might be the next chapter in their journey. In a strategic move to further strengthen their operations and leadership, the team has made an intriguing hire of a former Championship-winning crew chief, one that could set the stage for a new era of success.

Rette Jones Racing hires Greg Zipadelli to strengthen leadership

Rette Jones Racing (RJR) recently announced the hire of Greg ‘Zippy’ Zipadelli as Vice President of Business Operations. The veteran NASCAR figure will oversee business strategy and operations, working closely with co-owners Mark Rette and Terry Jones. Zipadelli’s appointment signals a new chapter for the team, aiming to strengthen leadership and presence in ARCA and other divisions.

Greg Zipadelli brings years of NASCAR experience, including working with Tony Stewart and Joey Logano. He was the crew chief for twelve years, during which he won 34 races and 2 Cup Series Championships. Other notable achievements include winning the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship. This was when he was a crew chief with driver Mike McLaughlin in 1988 at the age of 21. However, he most recently worked with Tony Stewart at Stewart-Haas Racing as their competition director and oversaw another championship in 2014 with Kevin Harvick on the team. His list of achievements is long, but first, let’s take a look at his new role at RJR.

His new role at RJR will involve refining race operations and developing long-term success for the team. “I am excited about this new chapter in motorsports,” Zipadelli shared. He also emphasized Greg Zipadelli’s ability to apply his expertise to Rette Jones Racing’s growth. Mark Rette, co-owner of RJR, expressed his excitement about Zipadelli joining the team: “I am excited to add Greg to the team. Greg will be instrumental in facilitating great projects.” Jones had similar feelings about working with Zippy. With Zipadelli’s leadership, the team expects improvements in infrastructure and race operations.

With this strategic hire, RJR looks to enhance its performance in the ARCA Menards Series and other sports divisions, setting a clear path for future success. As the team gears up for the Daytona ARCA 200, drivers Kyle Steckly and Cleetus McFarland will represent RJR. With fresh leadership in place, the drivers will aim to make a strong impact on the track. Their upcoming race in the ARCA 200 is just the beginning of what could be a game-changing year for RJR.

Trending

1

“I’d Have Smacked Him”: NASCAR Veteran Sends a Strong Message to Defend Dale Earnhardt Jr. Against Fans’ Hate

2

Roger Penske’s Final Hopes Slipping Away as NASCAR Fans Prepare for Honda

3

NASCAR Rumors: $41B Japanese Giant to Outrun Dodge to Become NASCAR’s 4th Manufacturer Days After New Reports

4

Rick Hendrick Accused of ‘Burying’ Ross Chastain’s Real Persona as Fans Insinuate Trackhouse’s Exit From Chevy

5

Pressured by Brad Keselowski, Roger Penske Spills Truth on Reviving Joey Logano’s NASCAR Career

Zipadelli through the years

Greg Zipadelli began his career in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour in 1988. Here, he quickly made an impact in his debut season. At just 21 years old, he served as the crew chief and guided Mike McLaughlin to a championship victory. This early success set the foundation for Zipadelli’s career, proving his ability to lead and strategize at the highest levels of motorsports.

His success in the Modified Tour series paved the way for his transition to NASCAR’s national series. Working alongside McLaughlin in the Busch Series, Zipadelli continued refining his skills. He developed a reputation for his technical expertise and race-day decision-making. The pair won five races in their four-year tenure together.

These qualities would later define his tenure at Joe Gibbs Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing, where he honed his skills as a crew chief and led Tony Stewart to Two Cup Series Championships in 2002 and 2005. In 2005, they dominated the grid, winning 5 races, and posting 17 top-5 finishes en route to the Championship.

In a 2016 interview after Tony Stewart’s win at Sonoma Raceway, Zipadelli, then a competition director at Stewart Haas Racing, said, “I’ve been telling these guys forever: He’ll turn it on like a switch and you’ll sit back and go, ‘What in the hell?’ It just happens. I’ve seen it for 18 years.” This is probably the most apt way to describe Tony Stewart.

The duo also holds the record for the third-longest driver-crew chief pairing with 356 races. They sit right behind two 7-time champions, Jimmie Johnson and Richard Petty, along with their crew chiefs Chad Knaus (602 races with Johnson) and Dale Inman (905 races with Petty). It’s safe to say, ‘Smoke’ and ‘Zippy’ are amongst the greats.

Now, with decades of experience at the sport’s highest levels, Zipadelli brings his wealth of knowledge to Rette Jones Racing. His leadership is expected to bolster the team’s competitiveness, particularly in the ARCA Menards Series, as they aim to build a stronger foundation for long-term success.