Roy McCauley, Former Team Penske Crew Chief, Passes Away

Roy McCauley, a former crew chief for Team Penske, passed away this week, leaving a significant legacy in NASCAR.

McCauley, who was with the team for over 20 years, was a key figure in Penske Racing’s success, not just as a skilled

engineer but also as a leader and a friend. Team Penske honored his contributions with a heartfelt statement,

remembering him for his unwavering dedication and his “Make it happen” attitude. He played a pivotal role in

several accomplishments, including the team’s first Daytona 500 victory in 2008, and was instrumental in

transforming NASCAR processes within the team’s assembly shop.

McCauley, originally from Davidsonville, Maryland, earned his degree in engineering in 1992 and joined Penske

Racing South in 2002 as chief engineer. He initially worked with Ryan Newman in the NASCAR Xfinity Series,

where they won six of nine races in 2005. The following year, McCauley became the crew chief for Kurt Busch in the

No. 2 Penske car, securing a win at Bristol in their first season together.

After returning to an engineering role in 2007, McCauley resumed his crew chief duties with Ryan Newman in 2008,

helping Penske Racing secure its first-ever Daytona 500 victory. He continued working behind the scenes,

contributing to the organization’s growth and success. McCauley’s influence remained strong even as Penske Racing

went on to win two consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championships with Joey Logano in 2022 and Ryan Blaney in

2023. Penske’s current drivers, Logano, Blaney, and Austin Cindric, will race in honor of their late friend during the

2024 NASCAR Playoffs.