Dodson was a NASCAR crew chief for the first time in 1985.[1] Driver Tim Richmond finished eleventh in points with 13 top ten and 3 top five finishes in 28 races.[1]
Dodson moved to Blue Max Racing in 1986; Rusty Wallace won two races that season and finished sixth in points.[1] In 1987, Wallace won twice and finished fifth in points.[1] In 1988, Wallace won six times and finished second in points.[1] Wallace won the 1989 championship after winning six races and four pole positions.[1][5] Dodson ran Wallace's pits for the final time in 1990.[1] The team had two wins and finished sixth in points before disbanding.[1]
Dodson was hired by Sam McMahon on Team III Racing in 1991; the team has a variety of drivers.[1] Dodson was then hired by Bob Whitcomb in 1992 with driver Derrike Cope.[1]
Owner/Driver Darrell Waltrip hired Dodson in 1993 as his crew chief for his team.[1] Dodson was the crew chief until after the fifteenth race of the 1994 season.[1]Felix Sabates hired Dodson for the 1995 season and driver Kyle Petty recorded Dodson's final win as a Cup crew chief;[1] the union lasted for the first 25 races.[1]
Dodson's 17-year-old son David Trey Dodson and 16-year-old daughter Tia Jan Dodson were killed in an automobile accident in 1994.[4] Their mother, Jan Kirkman Dodson, had been Barry Dodson's estranged wife.[6] Dodson's step-son Trent Owens has also been a NASCAR crew chief.[7]
