Interested in Becoming a NASCAR Crew Member? Here’s How to Get Started

According to Zipdo, the global motorsport industry is expected to be worth $7 billion by 2024, making it a very lucrative sector for avid fans to move into. NASCAR sits at the forefront of this industry, attracting viewers from all around the world. Alongside its devoted audience, this sport has managed to build a tremendous amount of acclaim, placing stock car racing at the top of its game. Therefore, fans and audience members alike now have a chance to see what this bustling sector has to offer, from elusive careers to sponsorship opportunities. To discuss this further, this article will explain everything you need to know about becoming a NASCAR crew member.

What is NASCAR?

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, better known as NASCAR, is an organization that focuses on driving cars that are available on a widespread scale. This sets it apart from other motorsport organizations such as Formula 1 and MotoGP, which commonly use state-of-the-art race cars. The foundation was created by Bill France in 1948 as a way to allow racers to gain a sense of pride and confidence, especially during the troubling times of prohibition. Thus, instead of drinking copious amounts of alcohol, moonshine racers spent their time zooming across makeshift racecourses to build a healthy sense of competition among their peers. In 1947, France formed the National Championship Stock Car Circuit (NCSCC), an annual competition that consisted of 40 races. This body can be seen as NASCAR’s initial foundation, as this is how France managed to create a selection of technical scoring systems and mechanics that he would later implement in the association we know and love today. As these races continued to grow in popularity, France encouraged a wealth of stock car drivers to come together to enjoy a much wider racing tournament, which ultimately transformed into the modern version of NASCAR.

Nowadays, NASCAR operates under three main series, known as the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Craftsman Truck Series. Each of these tournaments is suited to a different level of driver, giving both novices and experts the perfect chance to show the world what they’re made of. The first series is only open to the most experienced talent and is often regarded as the highest level a driver could probably reach. The Xfinity Series is sometimes seen as a stepping stone for budding race drivers, offering them the prime opportunity to make a name for themselves in this incredibly competitive industry. Finally, the third series is usually open to modified truck drivers, showcasing how even the largest commercial vehicles can speed around an extensive racetrack.

Despite being a racing tournament for the common man, NASCAR is teeming with very strict rules and regulations. For example, in order to keep the competition fair and organized, the vehicles are subjected to a limited number of car repairs, like only having 20 engine changes per season. The pit crew is also forced to follow a ton of orders, such as only being allowed to work on a car when it’s inside the confines of the pit box. The crew has to start working on the right side of the car first, regardless of whether the main problems are located on the left side. NASCAR drivers often use a range of striking techniques such as slingshotting, drifting, and bump drifting, leaving their vehicles vulnerable to a lot of wear and tear. In turn, these drivers often work alongside an auto restorations service to ensure that their cars are in the best condition possible for their next race.

How Do NASCAR Racecars Differ From Regular Cars?

Many major manufacturers, such as Toyota, Chevrolet, and Ford are responsible for creating some of NASCAR’s most popular racecars, making them quite similar to regular cars. However, there are a range of crucial differences between these vehicles, particularly concerning their materials and structure. Race cars are usually formed from a flat sheet of metal, giving manufacturers the chance to add a plethora of off-beat details. Their engines are a little different from normal streetcars because they commonly use a bare block engine. For the uninitiated, these engines don’t contain any rotating parts, making them very useful and minimalist for stock cars as it means that they won’t be tied down by unnecessary features. The frame is made from steel tubing to ensure that the car doesn’t collapse during a heavy collision. As such, not only does this help to keep the driver safe, but it also ensures that they can move around the track in a swift and seamless manner.

Though it may seem that these race cars are all cut from the same cloth, stock cars only use a range of conventional parts, the rest are all custom-made. NASCAR drivers are required to include a front grill, trunk, and roof in their vehicles, all of which must be sourced from the manufacturers mentioned earlier. Although drivers are encouraged to give their vehicles their own sense of flair, these cars don’t contain glass, air conditioning, or headlights. Therefore, some drivers are forced to just decorate the exterior of their cars and just leave the rest empty. These cars also offer a range of elevated electrical upgrades, setting them worlds apart from the standard cars you’d see on the street. For example, NASCAR vehicles are not powered by a simple key and ignition. Instead, drivers simply have to flick a switch and the engine will start roaring.

Safety is paramount to NASCAR, so these cars are often fitted with an array of immense protection features, some of which normal drivers could only dream of. The gas tank is loaded with a substance known as polyurethane, which presents itself as a foam. This liquid stops the fuel from moving around in the tank as the driver goes around corners, reducing the risk of internal combustion. If the worst were to happen, this foam would expand exponentially, stopping the blaze from getting out of control. In addition to their fire-resistant clothing, this ensures that the majority of NASCAR drivers will be protected against any accidental fires during their time on the track.

What Should You Know About Vehicles?

Becoming a NASCAR crew member is an incredible commitment and requires a wealth of training and experience. But, textbooks will only take you so far. Sometimes, you need to use your intuition to repair these vehicles in record time. Mufflers are a fantastic example of this, as when they are showing signs of decay they tend to make a collection of uncomfortable and jarring noises. As such, you may be required to use these vital senses to diagnose the issue at hand. Therefore, just by listening out for a few key sounds, you can get started on a selection of muffler repairs and get the car back on track as quickly as possible. Moreover, this intuition can help you understand whether a driver is unsafe. If you begin to notice your driver complaining of physical pain or showcasing obvious signs of confusion, it’s time to call for immediate medical attention. Thus, these skills will help boost your career as a NASCAR crew member.

This role is very fast-paced and leaves little to no room for errors. As such, it’s an ideal career move for mechanics who are tired of just working on the same tasks day in and day out. Auto body repair professionals can also find success in this industry, especially in the pit. Now that teams are no longer allowed to add new body panels during their time on the pit road, these professionals are required to think on their feet and come up with a range of nuanced ways to repair the car’s exterior. In turn, this can be a great opportunity for talented auto body contractors who want to pick up a collection of new skills to help advance their careers in the overall motoring industry.

What Will the Job Consist Of?

A NASCAR crew member is required to wear a collection of different hats, making it a challenging role for most people. Depending on your role in the pit, you’ll be asked to complete a selection of crucial tasks, meaning that you’ll have to master your craft in order to find success in this industry. This team is normally led by a Crew Chief, a designated crew member who is responsible for overseeing all the jobs carried out at the pit stop. To ensure that each car maintains all of its aerodynamic properties, a Technologist is usually called in to help monitor the car’s entire performance. Finally, a Meteorologist is used to predict the weather, helping the rest of the crew prepare for just about any eventuality.

If you decide to work on the more mechanical side of things, you’ll be responsible for conducting a range of crucial repairs and operations. Some of these may include tire services, window protection, and spotting any potential threats and relaying them back to the driver. All of these features work in unison with one another, meaning that if one NASCAR crew member is lacking, the entire team is likely to experience negative consequences. As such, you should only consider taking on this role if you view yourself as a team player and are able to work efficiently with others.

In such an extreme sport, accidents and crises are unavoidable. That’s why NASCAR places emergency towing services at the center of everything it does. These services work to remove stationary cars from the track so that they don’t disrupt the flow of high-speed traffic. As such, emergency towers don’t just help to take drivers out of immediate danger, but they also help to keep the race going so that audience members are not deprived of any entertainment or excitement.

What Will You Be Working With?

Although only five people are allowed at the pit stop at one time, all of these crew members have the chance to work with an assortment of specialist equipment. Most notably, pit stops are normally fitted with car ports. These are simple structures, almost the same as a porch area, that help to protect both the vehicle and crew members from harsh weather conditions. Thus, both workers and drivers are free to carry out their regular tasks without being distracted by the pouring rain or the blazing sun. Plus, car ports are an excellent way to signal each driver’s team. Using a selection of gazebos and banners, the crew members can easily direct their respective drivers to their stations, avoiding the risk of getting lost or going toward the wrong crew.

A NASCAR crew member also has the perfect opportunity to work with a range of expert metal products, which is beneficial for those looking to learn more about the ever-growing manufacturing industry. These workers typically use items like jacks, piano bars, and hammers to help them raise the car and bend it back into shape. This is especially true if the car has been involved in a hefty crash, but the driver is still eager to get back to work. Because these cars are commonly made from a single piece of sheet metal, they often require a lot of strength to get them back to normal. Therefore, a NASCAR crew member is also expected to be very athletic so that they can complete all of these tasks without getting tired too easily

NASCAR is one of America’s most popular sports, so it’s no surprise that this institution only wants to work with the best talent available. Whether it’s changing several tires in quick succession or predicting the weather with uncanny levels of accuracy, this sport requires those from a variety of different backgrounds. Thus, even if you don’t have any experience in motorsports, there’s still a chance you could benefit from this ground-breaking organization. In turn, if you’re considering becoming a NASCAR crew member in the future, be sure to follow the advice and guidance listed in this article.