Larry McReynolds

In 2001, FOX Sports’ first as a NASCAR broadcast partner, two-time DAYTONA 500 champion crew chief Larry McReynolds traded his tools for a microphone and joined legendary driver Darrell Waltrip and veteran broadcaster Mike Joy to comprise the FOX NASCAR broadcast team, forming a combination that remained for 15 years. In 2016, McReynolds embarked on a new challenge as a third, in-race analyst for FOX’s coverage of the NASCAR Cup Series, stepping outside the booth to support the FOX NASCAR announce booth with his unique, comprehensive perspective on everything from rule infractions analysis to pit strategy during each race.

For the 2019 season, McReynolds took his innovation one step further, moving into FOX Sports’ brand-new, state-of-the-art virtual studio in Charlotte, N.C., where he still serves as a race analyst for all NASCAR Cup Series races. McReynolds is credited with building the set’s virtual race car from the ground up, logging countless hours with the FOX Sports graphics team to devise a true representation of a car down to the last bolt.

McReynolds also serves as an analyst on NASCAR RACEDAY, the network’s Cup Series prerace shown, and NASCAR RACEDAY-XFINITY, its XFINITY Series prerace show, as well as NASCAR RACE HUB, its daily NASCAR news and highlight program. Furthermore, he co-hosts “The On Track Show” with Danielle Trotta on SiriusXM Radio weekdays at 11:00 AM ET.

McReynolds, who was inducted into the Alabama Auto Racing Pioneers Hall of Fame in December 2013, was a longtime panelist on NASCAR VICTORY LANE on FS1 (through 2017) and TRACKSIDE and NASCAR PERFORMANCE on FOX Sports’ SPEED. In April 2022, he will be honored with the coveted Jim Hunter Memorial Media Award by the North Carolina Motorsports Association.

McReynolds embarked on his NASCAR career in 1975, working on late model cars around Birmingham, Ala. He moved to North Carolina in 1980 to begin his NASCAR CUP SERIES career and worked his way up to a crew chief role five years later. He served as a Cup Series crew chief from 1985-2000, amassing 23 Cup wins, 21 poles, 122 top-five and 209 top-ten finishes.  In 1988, McReynolds earned his first Cup win at Watkins Glen International with driver Ricky Rudd.

In 1991, McReynolds teamed with owner Robert Yates and driver Davey Allison to win 11 races and three pole positions between 1991 and mid-1993, establishing himself as one of the sport’s elite crew chiefs. He led Allison to a win in the 1992 DAYTONA 500, and the two swept the NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE (then The Winston) in 1991-’92. In late 1993, McReynolds teamed with Ernie Irvan, a combination that produced seven wins between late 1993 and 1996 (Irvan missed the 1995 season due to injury). After joining Richard Childress Racing in 1997, McReynolds called the shots as seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt captured the elusive DAYTONA 500 victory in 1998.

In February 2023 in Daytona, McReynolds will be honored with the Ray Fox Memorial Award at the Living Legends Of Auto Racing Banquet. In October 2020, he was awarded the prestigious Smokey Yunick Award, named for legendary car owner and mechanic Henry “Smokey” Yunick and recognizing individuals who rose from humble beginnings to make a major impact on motorsports.

McReynolds’ success and thorough approach to his profession earned him selection to the Copenhagen/Skoal All-Pro Team, an all-star “who’s who” of crew members, for five straight years (1991-‘95), and the 1998 UAW GM Teamwork of Excellence award. In addition, he was inducted into The Oceanside Rotary Club Hall of Fame in Daytona Beach, Fla., in 2008. In 2009, McReynolds received the Living Legends of Auto Racing Russ Moyer Media Award.

He played himself in the 2006 Will Ferrell comedy hit, “Talladega Nights.” McReynolds also co-hosted “NASCAR Performance Show” with Steve Post on Motor Racing Network (MRN) between 2004 and 2013, and co-authored the books “The Big Picture: My Life from Pit Road to the Broadcast Booth” and “How to Become a Winning Crew Chief.” His latest book, “Larry McReynolds: The Constant Pursuit of Perfection,” was released in 2016.

Born in Birmingham, Ala., McReynolds currently resides in Mooresville, N.C., with his wife, Linda, daughter Brooke, daughter Kendall Anderson and her husband, Jordan Anderson, son Brandon and grandson, Caeden.