Crew Chief Spotlight - Jason Houghtaling

Derrike Cope Racing Facebook

Jason Houghtaling hasn't been a crew chief in NASCAR for a very long time but he has been with many seasoned veterans in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. With more races under his belt, I think Jason could become one of the top Crew Chiefs in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series or NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Jason made his NASCAR Xfinity Series Crew Chief Debut at Atlanta earlier this season with Todd Peck who drove the #99 for BJ McLeod Racing. Jason was once again with Peck a few weeks later at the Texas Motor Speedway. Jason was the crew chief for the multiple drivers in the #15. Drivers like Cody Ware, Timmy Hill, and Travis Kvapil drove the #15 with guidance from Jason on the Pit Box.

Dexter Stacey has been the most recent driver under Jason's Leadership
Sarah Crabill/Getty Images

Jason made his debut with Derrike Cope Racing at Kentucky and has been the Crew Chief for Derrike Cope Racing ever since. At Road America, Timmy Hill would gain Jason his best career finish in the Xfinity Series of a 23rd. The following weekend, Jason would lead Derrike Cope to a 25th place finish, Derrike's best finish since Mid-Ohio in 2015 where he also finished 25th. He would help Cope gain what looks like his season best finish as Dexter Stacey is expected to drive the #70 for Derrike Cope Racing for the Remainder of the 2016 Season. Jason lead the #70 team to a 37th place finish last weekend after handling issues ended the teams day after 80 laps.
At Martinsville a few weeks ago in the Texas Roadhouse 200 presented by Alpha Energy Solutions, Jason made his Crew Chiefing Debut in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with Travis Kvapil and Dexter Stacey. Dexter switched with Travis, who had started the race. That truck was brought home in the 27th place finish which is impressive for a Rookie Crew Chief and is something that teams need to look at when looking for a new Crew Chief if Jason comes available following 2016. Jason has also been the crew chief in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West with driver Luis Tyrrell back in 2014. Tyrrell brought Jason a best finish of 8th at Iowa. (Koelle,2016)