December 2, 2019 | By Lee Spencer

Brian Pattie reunited with Stenhouse at JTG Daugherty Racing

Reunited and it feels so good—particularly if you’re Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Brian Pattie.

Pattie will join JTG/Daugherty Racing as Stenhouse's crew chief on the No. 47 Chevrolet for the 2020 NASCAR Cup season.

The 44-year-old Zephyrhills, Floridian joined Roush Fenway Racing in 2016 to initially work with Greg Biffle but was aligned with Stenhouse the following year.

“We’re really looking forward to welcoming Brian Pattie to JTG Daugherty Racing,” team owner Tad Geschickter said. “With Brian’s veteran experience and knowledge at NASCAR’s premier level, we know he is going to be a great asset to the organization and work well with Ricky Stenhouse Jr.”

JTGD announced on October 16 that Stenhouse will replace Chris Buescher as the organization’s second driver. Ryan Preece moves over to the No. 37 Chevrolet where he’ll be aligned with crew chief Trent Owens for the 2020 Cup season. Owens, 44, joined JTGD in 2017.

Pattie guided Stenhouse to his first winning season in 2017 and the driver's first appearance in NASCAR’s Playoffs. Under Pattie’s direction, Stenhouse earned two wins, one pole, eight top fives, 17 top 10s and led 298 laps.

“I’m very grateful to have Brian join me at JTG Daugherty Racing next season,” Stenhouse Jr. said. “Working together the past several seasons, our relationship away from the track has really developed and I know that will speed up the process of getting familiar and plugged into the team as quick as possible. He knows what I’m looking for and I know what he expects from me.

“This team is a great fit for both of us, and we’re looking forward to contributing to the success JTG Daugherty Racing has been building.”

Pattie’s NASCAR career began with fellow Floridian Joe Nemechek in 1994. He led a variety of NEMCO teams to seven Xfinity Series wins in four years. Although Pattie left NEMCO for a short stint with Hendrick Motorsports in 1996, he returned in 2003 to work as a team manager and crew chief with Randy LaJoie and Nemechek.

He moved to Ganassi Racing in 2004 and won NASCAR Xfinity Series races with Jamie McMurray and Reed Sorenson. In 2008, Pattie was reassigned to the No. 42 Target team midway through the season as the third crew chief to work with former Formula One driver Juan Pablo Montoya. Together, Pattie and Montoya won one race, seven poles and posted 16 top fives and 39 top-10 finishes. Pattie also guided the team to the 2009 Chase for the Sprint Cup — Montoya’s only appearance in the NASCAR post-season.

In 2012, Pattie was recruited by Michael Waltrip, Racing where he worked with Clint Bowyer and David Ragan. When MWR  dismantled, Pattie moved his toolbox over to Roush Fenway Racing.

After a lackluster rookie season for Preece, 29, JTGD is hoping a crew chief change will provide a spark for the driver.

“Trent is a veteran at our organization leading the charge on the No. 37 car for the past three seasons,” Geschickter said. “He elevated a young driver in his second year in the series to consistently running in the top 15, and we have high expectations that he will be a great fit with Ryan Preece next year in his sophomore season.”