Behind the Success of Jarit Johnson is a Humble Leader; Crew Chief Dan DiPaolo

By Shawn Stewart: Jarit Johnson has been off to a great season in 2007. He’s won six of the first ten races with nearly all top five finishes. But in racing behind every great driver is a great crew chief. Since 2004 that man has been crew chief and friend Dan DiPaolo. So, just who is Dan DiPaolo? Born in Buffalo New York on April 1, 1971, DiPaolo has been watching racing since he could walk. He grew up in the small farming town of Akron (NY). Like many crew chiefs DiPaolo started as a racer himself. He bought his first race car in 1995 and raced at Texas Thunder Speedway winning 3-times in just 9-races. In 1998 and 1999 he raced Super Stocks at Lancaster Motorspeedway. But for awhile DiPaolo was away from racing. Not because he lost interest, but because he put his country above his own passions. He went into the Military as an M1A1 Tank Crewman. He was stationed in Ft. Hood, Texas before getting deployed to Kuwait. He spent his time there protecting Kuwait from Sadam Hussiens attacks as an Assistant Platoon Sargent and Tank Gunner for his company commander. Possibly it was there he learned leadership skills and rank and order that would help him later in racing. Then it meant life and death. In racing it would mean winning or losing. After his military time DiPaolo went on to work as a car chief for Greg Davis in the ARA Late Model Series. He went to the Bobby Issac Motorsports Program in Hickory (NC), where he helped build and compete a Hooters ProCup Car again as the car chief. DiPaolo’s talent was noticed by Don Sprouse Motorsports, where he was hired as the Crew Chief for a Hooters ProCup campaign. DiPaolo later took a job with the Joie of Seating as a lead fabricator. While working at The Joie of Seating DiPaolo purchased a 1980 Malibu with plans to build him a super stock and go back into racing as a driver. Working right next to him on a daily basis was someone who shared his passion for racing and for getting back into a race car. “Jarit and I worked right next to each other and we would talk a lot about racing,” explained DiPaolo. “He (Jarit) had been out of the race car for awhile. At first it was just guys causally talking to pass the time at work. But after some time I began to realize that Jarit had a lot of desire and determination to drive again.” Johnson had spent several years outside of the race car. He worked with his best friend as a crew member and tire changer, Blaise Alexander. Alexander was tragically killed at Lowes Motor Speedway and Johnson was dealing with the loss of his friend. But after some time he decided no matter how tragic racing can be it was his life’s passion. DiPaolo recognized this and on a whim at work one day offered Jarit a deal. “I told him if he would help me build the car then he could drive it,” said DiPaolo. Jarit and DiPaolo spent many hours working to build the car they would race together. After it was nearly complete Hickory Motor Speedway announced they would no longer have a Super Stock class. It was replaced by the Limited Late Model Class. The two had spent money and time and weren’t sure what to do next or if there even was any options. Determined to race though they researched the Limited Late Model class and looked for a car. They parked the newly built street stock and found a Hampke built late model that race car driver Catfish Parker had some success in. In 2004 Dan DiPaolo and Jarit Johnson hit the race track. They accomplished 3 wins and 4 poles that year. It was a great first year. But the following few years circumstances and various changes evolved and the pair were still close friends, but racing together was limited. Johnson signed a deal with SS Racing and spent much of the 2004/2005 season racing in the ASL Series and two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Races. In 2006 several circumstances changed for Johnson. He was short on sponsorship funding and his deal with SS Racing had come to a close. Johnson and DiPaolo returned to Hickory for a handful of races, but they didn’t have the success they did in the past. Things just didn’t seem to click and every race seemed to be a struggle. Johnson had some decent finishes, but winning was what both wanted to see again. In 2007 Johnson was married and had a newborn son to focus on. He had become a bit frustrated with the money and politics that is a modern day characteristic of racing. However, he loved racing and it was still a passion he wasn’t ready to give it up. He called up DiPaolo and told him he wanted to go racing, but strictly for fun. “I called up Dan and told him I wanted to get the old car out and go race at Hickory just for fun,” explained Johnson. “I told Dan I had been thinking a lot about racing and I wanted to get back to the root of the game, having a good time doing what we all love. Pure and simple that’s how I wanted it.” DiPoalo agreed, and that winter he and Johnson spent a great deal time going through their race car and re-thinking their strategy. They went back in time to 2004 and started over with their setup. It was just Dan and Jarit with no one else to distract their connection. Slowly they added crew members as the season approached. They surrounded themselves with people who were like minded. Their crew had to be talented, but also had to be passionate about racing and having fun. They wanted get back to the purity of the game and wanted to be sure anyone one their team was there for the same reason. The sponsorship came into place and the team was assembled. They didn’t know what to expect on the first night back to Hickory. After all, would their hard work in the off-season pay off? Would their new attitude be enough to succeed? There were many questions until that night was over. Johnson qualified 2nd and won the opening event. It was affirmation for DiPaolo that things had changed and this would be a special year. Since then the team has accomplished 6-wins and all but two top-fives in the first ten races. The key to success DiPaolo says is people. “Jarit and I did a lot of work in the off-season and that got us going in the right direction, but it’s been the group of people that’s made the difference,” said DiPaolo. “We have the best crew and driver out there and we have the most fun of any team. Even on the rough nights we learn, we stay positive and we move on.” “We all are going to make mistakes. Myself, the driver and crew guys are all going to make a mistake at times. We’re human,” expressed DiPaolo. “But the attitudes in the air are different than any team I’ve ever worked with. Everyone does their part, no egos, no nonsense and we all share a common goal. To enjoy our passion, work hard while doing it and of course win!” There are 9-races remaining for the 2007 season championship. Johnson is currently 2-points out of first place. The team knows it will take consistency and they will be challenged for the championship. With each win there has been post-race celebration, but shortly after the team focuses on the next race with little talk about past wins. Racing is tough sport and often it’s unforgiving. The driver and crew members of Jarit Johnson Racing are aware how hard it is to win races much less win a championship. But they enter the second half of the season with the same focus and attitude as the first race of the year. “We know it won’t be easy, but someone has to win each race and someone will win the championship. We are determined to make that team ours,” said DiPaolo. “But we take it race by race, lap by lap. It’s going to be an exciting run to the finish.”