Former Covington Native Promoted To Crew Chief

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – A dream came true for former Alleghany graduate and Covington native Bobby Burrell after he was named crew chief for Nationwide Series driver Donnie Neuenberger.

Burrell has been around racing for as long as he could remember. He grew up in Covington and raced cars at Natural Bridge before graduating from Alleghany High School in 1989.

Burrell went on to graduate from Syracuse University with a degree in mechanical engineering.

Burrell began his career in NASCAR in 1995 when he started with WOOD Brothers Racing that is centered in Stuart.

Since then, Bobby has worked with other teams including DEI, Yates, Ganassi, Robby Gordon, Haas CNC, Kevin Harvick Inc., Mayfield Motorsports and Key Motorsports. His duties have included everything from tire changing, team engineer, car chief, and his current role, crew chief.

“This is what I love to do,” said Burrell. “I grew up watching racing and racing at Natural Bridge so it is kind of like second nature to me.”

Burrell works for Randy MacDonald Motorsports which is located in Mooresville, N.C. The MacDonald family name has been in racing since owner, Randy MacDonald, began his driving career in the 1980s.

Burrell nearly never had a chance to become a pit crew chief after he was nearly killed on pit road at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2001. Burrell was pinned against the pit wall when Ward Burton was hit from behind by another car.

The accident results in NASCAR requiring pit-crew members to wear helmets.

Burrell, who grew up racing and restoring cars, had to go to rehab to re-learn hand-eye coordination and balance.

“I’ve been doing this for 15 years and nothing was harder than going to rehab and learning to regain my balance and my strength,” said Burrell.

Although many remember his name due to the accident, Burrell has also had some success in NASCAR. In 1999, Burrell won the Nationwide Series Championship with Dale Earnhardt Jr. as his driver and is also a two-time winner of the NASCAR Pit Crew Competition.

Burrell’s driver, Neuenberger, drives the No. 81 Eagle Convenience Stores Dodge Challenger for 10 races in the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series. The team’s first race was Feb. 19 at Daytona in the DRIVE4COPD 300.

Neuenberger is an 18-year veteran racing in the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World truck series. His record includes top 10 and top 20 finishes in both series.

Neuenberger currently stands 26th in the Nationwide Series Standings with 32 points, 72 behind leader Reed Sorenson.