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Greg Zipadelli’s Surprise Move: Championship-Winning Crew Chief Joins Rette Jones Racing to Build a Future Powerhouse

David Castro by David Castro
February 15, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Greg Zipadelli’s Surprise Move: Championship-Winning Crew Chief Joins Rette Jones Racing to Build a Future Powerhouse

Nov 18, 2016; Homestead, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew chief team manager Greg Zipadelli during qualifying for the Ford Ecoboost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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Stewart-Haas Racing may have closed its doors in 2024, but its legendary figures aren’t fading away. While names like Chase Briscoe (Joe Gibbs Racing) and Rodney Childers (Spire Motorsports) have remained in the NASCAR Cup Series, one of the sport’s most respected minds—Greg “Zippy” Zipadelli—has taken an unexpected path.

In a stunning development, Zipadelli has joined Rette Jones Racing (RJR) as Vice President of Business Operations, a move that could reshape the team’s trajectory and bring a championship pedigree to a rising grassroots organization.

Rette Jones Racing: A Team Poised for Growth

For years, Rette Jones Racing has been a fixture in NASCAR’s development pipeline, competing in the ARCA Menards Series, Xfinity Series, and other grassroots divisions. While RJR has yet to claim a major championship, the team has accumulated over 150 races of experience, earning a reputation for developing young talent and maintaining a competitive edge in the lower tiers of NASCAR.

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Now, with Zipadelli at the helm of its business operations, RJR is signaling its intent to take the next big step.

Zipadelli Brings Championship DNA to RJR

Greg Zipadelli is no ordinary hire. The former Stewart-Haas Racing competition director and championship-winning crew chief brings decades of experience and an unmatched racing résumé to RJR.

A Quick Look at Zippy’s Legendary Career:

  • Two NASCAR Cup Series Championships (Crew chief for Tony Stewart, 2002 & 2005)
  • 34 Cup Series Wins
  • NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion (Crew chief for Mike McLaughlin, 1988)
  • Oversaw Kevin Harvick’s 2014 NASCAR Cup Championship as Stewart-Haas Racing’s competition director

At just 21 years old, Zipadelli was already winning championships. Now, he’s taking on a new challenge—bringing his wealth of knowledge to an up-and-coming team hungry for success.

Why This Move Could Be a Game-Changer for RJR

Zipadelli’s role at RJR isn’t just about calling race strategies—it’s about building a long-term, sustainable NASCAR operation.

“I am excited about this new chapter in motorsports,” Zipadelli shared, emphasizing that his goal is to apply his expertise to refine race operations and elevate RJR’s performance.

Mark Rette, RJR’s co-owner, echoed the enthusiasm:

“I am excited to add Greg to the team. Greg will be instrumental in facilitating great projects.”

His counterpart, Terry Jones, also expressed confidence in Zippy’s ability to shape RJR’s future.

With his leadership, infrastructure improvements, and strategic direction, RJR could emerge as a serious contender in the ARCA Menards Series and beyond.

The Road Ahead: A Big Year for RJR Starts at Daytona

With Zipadelli now behind the scenes, RJR is gearing up for one of its biggest races yet—the Daytona ARCA 200.

Leading the charge will be Kyle Steckly and Cleetus McFarland, two drivers aiming to make an impact and showcase RJR’s rising potential.

While RJR has long been a respected presence in grassroots NASCAR, the addition of a two-time Cup Series championship-winning mastermind could be the spark that pushes the team into serious title contention.

This isn’t just another crew chief moving to a smaller team—this is a seasoned NASCAR veteran taking on a new challenge, ready to build something special.

Final Thought: Is RJR NASCAR’s Next Great Underdog Story?

NASCAR history has proven time and again that the right leadership can turn a mid-tier team into a powerhouse. With Greg Zipadelli in the mix, RJR might just be the next underdog team to rise through the ranks.

The Daytona ARCA 200 is just the beginning. Watch this space—big things could be coming.

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