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CHAMPION CREW CHIEF PROFILE: Bill Sedgwick

By Kevin W. Green, NASCAR
November 11, 2009 - 11:45am

Despite having one of the best winning percentages as a driver in the NASCAR Camping World Series West, Bill Sedgwick is gaining even more of a reputation as a top crew chief in the series. Sedgwick, who won back-to-back championships as a driver in 1991-1992, also garnered two straight titles as championship crew chief in 2004-2005.

He gained his fifth overall championship in the series this year as the crew chief on the No. 6 Sunrise Ford-sponsored Ford with Jason Bowles behind the wheel.

Sedgwick joined the team of car owner Bob Bruncati at the beginning of the 2008 season. Bowles had won two races for the team in 2007, while taking the Sunoco Rookie of the Year title and finishing third in the overall standings. With Sedgwick calling the shots, Bowles won four races and was in contention for the championship through the final race a year ago.

In typical Sedgwick fashion, the team stepped up its consistency this season. To go along with three victories, Bowles had 10 top-five and 12 top-10 finishes in 13 events. He also won three Coors Light Pole Awards. In addition, Bowles led at least one lap in 10 of those races, gaining a 60-point boost to his point total for the year. He clinched the championship in the final race of the season by a 123-point margin.
Sedgwick’s resume as a driver ranges from a figure-eight championship at the now-shuttered Saugus (Calif.) Speedway to racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 1995 and 1996. In the NASCAR Camping World Series West, he amassed a record of 17 wins, 61 top-five and 74 top-10 finishes in 109 races between 1980 and 2001. Prior to winning the series title in 1991 and 1992, he was the runner-up in the standings in 1989 and 1990.

Sedgwick’s duties as a mechanic have included working as a tire changer for racing legend Hershel McGriff and being the crew chief for Ron Hornaday Jr., in 1994. Sedgwick’s back-to-back championships as a crew chief were with the MB Duncan Motorsports team of Mike Duncan in 2004 and 2005.