Jim McGee

Crew Chief
CLASS OF 2006

Jim McGee was born in Boston, MA and is arguably the most successful crew chief in Indy Car/Champ Car history. After starting out wrenching on cut-downs at Norwood Arena, McGee packed up and left for Indianapolis in 1959. The job he thought was waiting for him never materialized, and so he initially began the drive back to New England. But he only got as far as Ohio before he made the decision to turn back around to Indy. He was offered a job as a protégé to Clint Brawner on the Dean Van Lines team for the 1960 season.

His storied career includes being the crew chief for 4 different Indianapolis 500 winners: Mario Andretti (1969), Rick Mears (1979), Gordon Johncock (1982) and Emerson Fittipaldi (1989).

He was also part of 9 series championship teams. 3 times with Mario Andretti (1965, 1966, 1969), 2 with Tom Sneva (1977-1978), Rick Mears (1979), Emerson Fittipaldi (1989), Bobby Rahal (1992) and Nigel Mansell (1993).

Car owners who employed McGee for his crew chief services include Roger Penske, Paul Newman, Carl Haas, Pat Patrick and Andy Granatelli. McGee retired after the 2006 season.