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CHAMPION CREW CHIEF PROFILE: Bill Burns

The championship equation in racing includes driver, equipment and crew. Overseeing each of those components is the crew chief. He’s the go-to guy – the coach.

Leading the way for NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 champion Andrew Ranger is crew chief Bill Burns, a position he has held since Ranger made the move from open-wheel racing to NASCAR in 2007.

Having been around racing his entire life, Burns is no stranger to success in Canada’s premier stock-car racing series. He called the shots for the 2001 CASCAR Super Series championship of Don Thomson Jr. The success has continued since joining forces with Ranger and car owner Dave Jacombs as the trio has conspired to win NASCAR Canadian Tire Series titles in 2007 and the just completed 2009 season.

Like Chad Knaus, widely considered to be the single key ingredient in Jimmie Johnson’s three consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships, the soft-spoken Burns has been the steadying influence for the sometimes high-strung Ranger. It is not an uncommon sight on race day to Burns and Ranger walking the track slowly to discuss the preferred line, strategy and other possible eventualities.

“He can get a little hyper in the car,” said Burns. “I just try and get him calmed down and focus on what needs to be done and the things we talked about earlier in the day.”

Every driver says that good communication with the crew chief is essential. The Burns-Ranger duo seemingly has that special relationship. Ranger is able to convey what the car is doing and Burns is able to make the necessary changes that fit his driver’s style. Sounds pretty simple, but it rarely is.

“It’s been an evolution, that’s for sure,” Burns stated. “I think we’re on the same page now. He knows the car and tracks better. That’s probably the biggest key.”

With two titles in three years, the only thing that may derail this train is a move up the ladder to a new series.