Ryan Pemberton, a respected and long-serving member of the NASCAR community, died on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at the age of 54.
Pemberton’s career spanned several decades, marking him as a significant figure in the sport’s history.
He is best known for his role as the competition director for JR Motorsports’ NASCAR Xfinity Series program. During his tenure, which lasted a decade, JR Motorsports achieved notable success, winning the driver’s championship three times.
The team’s victories were first secured with Chase Elliott in 2014, followed by wins with William Byron in 2017 and Tyler Reddick in 2018. Pemberton’s leadership and strategic vision were instrumental in these achievements.
Much of his acclaim in NASCAR circles came from his time as a crew chief. In this capacity, he led the No. 7 team at JR Motorsports in 2014, guiding driver Regan Smith to a memorable victory.
Pemberton’s expertise and approach to racing strategy were highly regarded in the NASCAR community.
His accomplishments extend beyond his time at JR Motorsports. He earned three victories as an Xfinity Series crew chief in 76 starts, working with drivers like Larry Pearson and Regan Smith.
His impact was also felt in the Cup Series, where he achieved 561 starts and secured victories with Joe Nemechek in 2004 and Brian Vickers in 2009.
Throughout his illustrious career, Pemberton collaborated with a roster of notable drivers, including Derrike Cope, Ernie Irvan, Jerry Nadeau, Dave Blaney, Joe Nemechek, and Mark Martin.
One of his most memorable moments was a close finish at the 2007 Daytona 500, where Pemberton and Mark Martin narrowly missed victory in a thrilling photo finish against Kevin Harvick.
Born into a family deeply embedded in racing, Pemberton’s brother, Robin, was a former vice president of competition for NASCAR. Ryan Pemberton began his own NASCAR journey in 1988 with Jack Roush, marking the start of a remarkable career in the sport.
The Pemberton family has faced several losses in recent years. Ryan’s brother, Randy Pemberton, a sports television broadcaster, died in 2022. Additionally, Ryan’s nephew and Robin’s son, Bray Pemberton, passed away in 2021.
Kelley Earnhardt Miller, representing JR Motorsports, expressed deep sorrow over Pemberton’s passing.
In her statement, she highlighted his passion for competition and his ability to motivate and lead his team. She emphasized that Pemberton’s legacy would continue to be a part of the JR Motorsports family.
He is survived by his wife Andrea and daughters Payton and Britton, who are mourning the loss along with the wider NASCAR community.