From Smithfield, Va., to the biggest stage in American motorsports, Cliff Daniels just reached the pinnacle: he’s a NASCAR Cup Series champion. But the crew chief of the No. 5 Chevrolet driven by Kyle Larson hasn’t let that title-winning season and performance even sink in… yet. Daniels’ love for racing began as he watched his father turn laps at Racing Virginia short tracks. Daniels (11:44) was a wheelman, himself, from bandoleros all the way to late model stocks. But when driving was no longer a option, he found another path. He took his passion and skills and turned them into career in racing as an engineer, steadily climbing the ladder all the way to the top of a pit box at Hendrick Motorsports. Hear his story: about is journey from driving to engineering, about the gamut of emotions a title-winning season takes on someone, his relationship with Kyle Larson, and hear exactly how it feels to be crowned a NASCAR Cup Series champion. We dive deep into the nuts and bolts with the man calling the shots of NASCAR’s most dominant team.

 

In a heartfelt Commonwealth Closer, hosts Dave Seay and Brandon Brown tell us what they’re Thankful for this year.