Ryan Pemberton, NASCAR Veteran, Passes Away at 54
In a sad turn of events, Ryan Pemberton, a well-respected figure in the NASCAR garage, passed away on Sunday at the age of 54. The exact cause of his death is currently unknown.
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Pemberton’s most recent role was as the competition director for the NASCAR Xfinity Series program at JR Motorsports. During his decade with the company, Pemberton played a significant role in securing three driver’s championships. He first tasted success with Chase Elliott in 2014, and later with Tyler Reddick in 2018 and 2019.
However, it was Pemberton’s stint as a crew chief that truly left an indelible mark on the sport. In 2014, he led the No. 7 team at JR Motorsports and guided Regan Smith to victory. His leadership and ability to motivate those around him were instrumental to the team’s success.
Kelley Earnhardt Miller, co-owner of JR Motorsports, expressed her condolences and highlighted Pemberton’s impact, saying, “Ryan was instrumental to JR Motorsports’ success during the decade he spent with us. He had such a passion for competition and, as a leader, knew how to motivate everyone he worked with. He will always be part of the JRM family. Our hearts go out to his wife Andrea and daughters Payton and Britton during this tremendously difficult time.”
A Career Filled with Achievements
Pemberton’s career boasted several notable achievements. As a crew chief in the Xfinity Series, he earned three victories in 76 starts, working with drivers like Larry Pearson and Regan Smith. Moving up to the Cup Series, Pemberton had 561 starts and clinched wins with Joe Nemechek in 2004 and Brian Vickers in 2009.
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Throughout his career, Pemberton had the opportunity to collaborate with esteemed drivers such as Derrike Cope, Ernie Irvan, Jerry Nadeau, Dave Blaney, Joe Nemechek, and Mark Martin. One of the most memorable moments Pemberton experienced was the heartbreaking photo finish loss to Kevin Harvick in the 2007 Daytona 500 alongside Mark Martin.
Coming from a racing family, Pemberton’s connection to the sport ran deep. His older brother, Robin Pemberton, served as the former vice president of competition for NASCAR. Ryan Pemberton’s journey in NASCAR began in 1988 under the guidance of Jack Roush.
Tragically, the Pemberton family has been struck by multiple losses in recent years. Ryan’s brother Randy Pemberton, a well-known television broadcaster in the sport, passed away in 2022. In 2021, Bray Pemberton, Ryan’s nephew and Robin’s son, also tragically lost his life.
The NASCAR community mourns the loss of Ryan Pemberton, a dedicated and influential figure in the sport. His contributions as a crew chief and competition director will be remembered, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
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