Birdie — The Greatest Busch Series Crew Chief of Them All

Steve Bird wasn’t just a crew chief, he was the crew chief of the Busch Series. Four championships, three of them in a row, and a reputation as one of the sharpest minds in the garage. From the chaos of Race Hill Farms in the late 70s, to guiding young stars like Rob Moroso, Johnny Benson, and Randy LaJoie, Birdie left fingerprints all over NASCAR’s history. He passed away recently after a battle with cancer, and the push is growing to make him the first Busch Series crew chief in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

• The wild early days at Race Hill Farms, with Bob Johnson’s temper and a sledgehammer that nearly totaled a Rolls-Royce.
• Geoff Bodine’s short-lived rookie run, ending with a walkout mid-race at Atlanta.
• The Cinderella victory at Talladega in 1981 with Ron Bouchard, a team of New England underdogs shocking the sport.
• The highs and heartbreak of Rob Moroso, from a championship in 1989 to tragedy the following year.

Steve Bird didn’t just win races, he built teams, respected his people, and demanded balance between the grind and life at home. His championships with Bass Motorsports defined an era of Busch racing and his stories with legends like David Pearson only add to the lore. NASCAR has six crew chiefs enshrined in its Hall of Fame, all at the Cup level. Maybe it’s time Birdie becomes the first to get there on the strength of the Busch Series.

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