Jonathan Hassler will be the crew chief of the No. 12 team in 2023. He’ll work alongside driver Ryan Blaney. The team has cars that show logos from Menards, Discount Tire, and other brands. In the past, this team has seen much success, and with Hassler, they’re hoping for even more.
Big win in Texas
In 2022, Jonathan Hassler and Blaney worked well together. They won a special race called the NASCAR All-Star Race at Texas Motor Speedway. This was a big deal because they led the race for 84 laps (which means they were in front for most of the race) and they won $1 million! Throughout the season, they were very consistent. They often finished races in good positions, which led them to be part of the top teams by the end of the season.
Hassler’s Start in Racing
Before 2022, Hassler worked with a different team, the Wood Brothers, in 2021. But his love for racing began much earlier. Jonathan Hassler, from Greencastle, Indiana, started racing go-karts when he was just 8 years old. By 14, he had moved up to race faster cars called mini – sprint cars. As he grew older, he tried other types of cars too.
High School Years
In high school, besides racing, Jonathan played football and basketball. His football team even reached the state championship game during his last year. But even though he liked sports, racing was his biggest passion. He knew he wanted a future in racing.
College and Career Change
After high school, he went to Purdue University. At first, he wanted to become a top racecar driver. But with time, he realized becoming a driver was getting tough, so he decided to become a racing engineer instead. An engineer helps design and take care of race cars.
At Purdue, Hassler started a group called “Opportunity Motorsports.” This group helped students who wanted to work in racing find the right jobs. Many of those students are now working in racing, thanks to this group.
Hassler’s Early Career
After finishing college in 2007, Hassler started working for NASCAR, a big racing company in the U.S. First, he worked with a team called Ginn Racing. But in 2008, he moved to Team Penske. Here, he helped design and care for cars as an engineer.
Major Achievements
With Team Penske, Hassler was part of many victories. One of the biggest moments was in 2018. He worked with a driver named Brad Keselowski. Together, they won three important races in a row! These included big races like the Southern 500 and the Brickyard 400. They even helped Team Penske get its 500th win, which was a huge milestone.
In two other races, with Keselowski driving, their car led for most of the laps, showing just how good their team was.
A New Role in 2023
Now, Jonathan Hassler has become a crew chief. This means he’s the main person in charge of a racing team. In 2023, he’ll work with driver Ryan Blaney and the No. 12 team. With his past success, many believe they will do great things together.
Life Outside Racing
When he’s not at the race track, Hassler loves to spend time with his family. They like to go to the lake, and in winter, they enjoy skiing. Jonathan also likes listening to country music.
Jonathan Hassler’s journey from a young racer to a top crew chief is inspiring. His passion for racing and his dedication have brought him much success. With the new racing season coming, many are excited to see what he and his team will achieve next.
FAQs About Jonathan Hassler
Q: What are some of Jonathan Hassler’s career highlights?
A: One of the significant highlights of Jonathan Hassler’s career was leading the No. 12 team to victory in the NASCAR All-Star Race at Texas Motor Speedway in 2022, securing a $1 million payday. He has also achieved notable success as a race engineer, contributing to multiple wins with Team Penske.
Q: How did Jonathan Hassler’s journey in racing begin?
A: Jonathan Hassler’s racing journey started at a young age when he began competing in go-karts at the age of eight. He later transitioned to mini sprint cars and participated in select super late model races in his early 20s.
Q: Where did Jonathan Hassler attend college, and what did he study?
A: Hassler attended Purdue University, where he pursued a degree in Mechanical Engineering. His education at Purdue played a crucial role in his career in motorsports.
Q: What organizations has Jonathan Hassler been associated with in his career?
A: Jonathan Hassler has been associated with notable teams in NASCAR, including Ginn Racing, Team Penske, and the Wood Brothers. He has contributed to numerous wins and achievements with these teams.
Q: What achievements did Jonathan Hassler attain as a race engineer?
A: While serving as a race engineer, Hassler played a pivotal role in Brad Keselowski’s historic three-race winning streak with the No. 2 Ford team in September 2018. The streak included victories at the Southern 500, the Brickyard 400, and the opening race of the 2018 NASCAR Playoffs.
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