Steven "Birdie" Bird

1955 - 2025

Steve Bird, a decorated NASCAR crew chief whose racing successes spanned from his native New England to Daytona Beach, died peacefully at his home in Port Orange, FL, on Saturday, September 6, 2025. He was 70.

Born February 12, 1955, in Salem, NH, to Amos and Eleanor Bird, Steve graduated from Salem High School in 1973. By then, he had already followed in his father's footsteps into auto racing. While Amos served as a longtime track official, Steve - "Birdie" to his friends - pursued the hands-on side of the sport, working as a mechanic with regional teams. He formed a long and successful association with Massachusetts driver Pete Fiandaca, winning numerous Modified-class feature events at speedways across New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.

His skill and relentless work ethic carried him to the highest levels of NASCAR. By 1978, Steve had joined the Cup Series team of Connecticut businessman Jack Beebe, where he learned under veteran crew chief Bob Johnson, a close friend and mentor. In 1981, alongside driver Ron Bouchard, the all-New England team shocked the sport with a dramatic win in the Talladega 500. Steve later worked with NASCAR legend David Pearson before stepping into the role that defined his career - crew chief in the NASCAR Busch Series.

There, Bird earned four championships: with Rob Moroso (1989), Johnny Benson Jr. (1995), and Randy LaJoie (1996 and '97). His teams also collected wins with drivers Steve Grissom and Kenny Wallace.

When he retired from full-time NASCAR duties, Steve remained deeply involved in the sport he loved. He founded SCB Racing Concepts, providing chassis expertise and setup guidance to grassroots standouts like Bobby Gill, Jody Lavender, and Jay Fogleman in the USAR Pro Cup Series.

In 2017, Steve Bird was inducted into the New England Auto Racers (NEAR) Hall of Fame.

Steve is survived by his loving wife of 15 years and companion of more than 27 years, Allyson Wise-Bird; his sons, Jasun Bird and wife Danielle of Heber Springs, AR, and their daughters, Lennex and Emilie; Jamie Bird and wife Marisol of Wildwood, FL, and their children, Azealia, Jade, Geraldine, and Joshua; stepdaughter Jess Valles and husband Chris of Clover, SC, and their children, Hallie and Archer; and stepdaughter Chelsey Williams of New Smyrna Beach, FL. He was predeceased by his parents and by his brother, James Bird.

Reflecting on his journey, Steve once told a friend, "From the time I was a kid, all I really wanted to do was work on race cars. The idea of doing it full-time, for a living, was something I only dreamed about." That dream came true.

A Celebration of Life will be held in November in Methuen, MA.