This may come as a shock to some of you, but I too was once just a race fan. I looked forward every year to the maybe one or two races I’d get to attend and I would show up to the track wearing my allegiances proudly. So as you continue reading what I’m about to write, keep in mind that I fully understand what it’s like being a fan, and it’s this understanding that probably makes me feel this way in the first place.
Being in the position I’m in as a tire changer, I understand that I am not the show. NASCAR fans don’t save their money all year, take a week off of work, and travel hundreds or thousands of miles to see pit stops. They pile into race tracks to see drivers like Carl Edwards, Dale Jr., Kyle Busch, and Jimmie Johnson race wheel-to-wheel for 500 miles. Those guys are the celebrities and the attraction. Not me.
But strangely there is never a shortage of fans who want to take my picture or ask for an autograph.
It’s something that probably happens even more then I realize, but I do notice sometimes when a fan will stop and snap a picture of me or my team during a weekend. I’ve been photographed standing around in the garage, setting up pit road before the race, and sitting on pit wall during the race. There is even the occasional request to pose with a group for pictures.
Even stranger are the autograph requests. It’s very flattering to be asked, but I never understand why some folks want it. I’m just a regular guy like they are, I just happen to work in the sport.
I remember the first time I was asked for an autograph. I was gluing up my wheels before an ARCA race some years ago when I was approached by an elderly gentlemen with a race program. He asked if I would sign his program for him and put my position and car number next to my sig. I was blown away. I couldn’t figure out why this man wanted my autograph. I was just there to change tires for a budget ARCA team. It’s not like I was a Cup guy.
An even better crew guy autograph story happened to someone I know a few years back. He was at the track doing his normal deal when a couple walked up to him with an 8×10 photo. They introduced themselves to him and showed him the photo. It was of him! They had taken it a few weeks before and wanted to know if he would autograph it. He obliged and signed the photo. The couple thanked him and went on there way. Needless to say this guy was shocked. And I don’t blame him, I would have been shocked too.
And I think that is the funny part about the whole thing. Every time the pictures and requests happen, I always have the same reaction. I want to ask these people if they know I’m not a driver and tell them I’m just a regular guy. But part of me knows that doesn’t matter to them.
So I’m turning this over to you. Am I crazy for feeling this way? Do people really look at crew guys as having some sort of celebrity status? As always any thoughts, comments, or observations are welcome!
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on May 7th, 2009 at 12:29 am
I can help you with this at least little because, well I admit it— I am one of those fans who are probably snapping pictures of you. Why am I doing it? Well I can tell you that for me personally there are a couple main reasons:
1. I take pictures of everything…I almost always have a camera with me. I have been known to pull over on my way to or from work to snap a shot.
2. When I go to a race I am there for the whole deal…yeah I am to watch the wheel-to-wheel action of my favorite drivers…but I like to watch the pit stops too- they fascinate me (they always have) and are just as much part of the whole race to me. So when I am in the pit area before the race or in the garage or wherever I might find myself- I am taking pictures- especially of the action there- whether it’s the crew working on the car or setting up the pitbox or whatever you happen to be doing.
I have never approached a crewmember though. I figure you are working and I don’t want to bother you. Honestly when I am in the pits I have to fight the urge to ask you all questions…I worry that if I start with the questions I won’t stop…and I will be bugging you. So I try to take a mental note and bring it to ask the insiders wednesdays. I do see the draw however of wanting my picture taken with a member or two of my favorite crew because you are there to help my driver get to the finish.
Putting myself in your shoes (kinda) I can NOT imagine how weird it must be…and I don’t know how you do it honestly. It’s got to be like being in a fishbowl or an aquarium…and that is not my intention. But for me it’s more like that is as close to the real action I am going to get…so I want to document it the only way I can.
on May 7th, 2009 at 12:34 am
For me, the crew guys are almost closer with the fans than the drivers. I would say y’all are half regular guy who works in the sport, half celebrity. I have always had the most pleasant, and to be truthful, meaningful interactions with crew guys at the track. This past February at the California race, we made a birthday card/sign for J.D. Gibbs on Saturday, but didn’t know how to show it to him. Do we hold it up in the stands or do we try and sneak it into the pit box somehow? We had pit passes and once we were down there, we saw a crew member, gluing the lugs coincidentally enough, in the 18 Nationwide pits. I didn’t want to walk up and bother him so I just kinda milled around until he was done and caught his eye. He smiled and came over and I fumbled over asking him if he could somehow see that J.D. got the card. I had to shout and ask him to repeat everything since it was Happy Hour, but he was so kind and said he would take it back to the hauler for me. I thanked him, introduced myself and he did the same. I still smile when I see Eric Grohn during a pit stop or in Victory Lane.
Same goes for Peter Jellen, also on the 18 team, except on the Cup side. He was so nice and helpful during my first Cup race as a pit reporter. Nervous and not wanting to be in the way, but not wanting to be out of the action, I didn’t know where to stand or what to do when I wasn’t reporting and just watching the race. Peter always had a big smile and let me stand by him and even lean on the equipment carts he had. He even answered my burning question of who “Twinkie” was since I hear him being called on the radio by Addington every so often. My friends wanted to hear all about the drivers I talked to, but I was more excited to tell them about Peter and the other crew members I’d met from various teams.
Every crew member I met that weekend in the pits was so kind and so professional, you all deserve more credit than you get. We may not buy a t shirt because of you, but that doesn’t mean you all don’t deserve the fans yourselves. I’m one fan who is a fan of her TEAM, not just her driver.
on May 7th, 2009 at 12:44 am
If I have to hear about how hot Ron Malec is one more time… lol
No seriously, I find it interesting that fans do this, too. Being a fan myself I don’t entirely see what the attraction of taking a picture of a crew member is. There has only been one time that I was interested in taking pictures of pit crews… and that was at the Pit Crew Challenge. The whole idea was being there to support the pit crews and I was really just taking pictures of the action and the occasional driver appearance.
I think it may be in part due to the pit crew’s supposed closeness to the driver (of which I think you posted about as well.) For some people being so close to someone “close” to their driver is as close as they might get. I imagine that means a lot to them. I suppose I would probably want my picture taken with a crew member of my favorite team, but that’s because I am a fan of them in a sense. They support my driver and do a darn fine job and I’m proud of them for that. I don’t, however, understand autographs, but that is in whole not in part. I have no desire to have anything autographed by my favorite driver, let alone his crew members. What am I going to do with it? I’d much rather just have a picture. He can save his Sharpie ink for someone else whom it will mean more to.
I do know, though, that there are some fans out there that are fans of pit crew members. Ron Malec, case in point, has quite a few fans out there. I’m sure there are other crew members that have devoted followings as well. I guess, to make a long story short, I see it and I don’t. The way to look at it, though, might be that you should not forget that you’re one of the athletes in the sport as well, not just the drivers. Sure there might be a player in basketball that only gets off the bench a couple minutes every game or a football player off the sidelines for only a play or two, and that might make them seem insignificant, but they still have fans. Why shouldn’t you?
on May 7th, 2009 at 4:38 am
T.C. the fan that asks you for a photo or autograph is probably hoping for a “Rookie shot”,that maybe someday you will make crew chief and just think,they have pics when you were just a pup glueing lug nuts.
We know that’s not how it works though!
Actually,I do drive that distance to see pit stops,the crews and the cars.
The drivers are no different than You or I!
on May 7th, 2009 at 5:42 am
Since I am a Jeff Gordon fan I sent a picture of his car to his shop and requested that everyone on the 24 team sign it. What I got in return is priceless to me. Everyone from Rick Hendrick, Ray Evernham, Jeff Gordon, and on down signed it. I like the idea of adding your job duty to the card since there are a lot of names on the picture that I don’t know who they are. But there are also signatures on it from people like Steve Letarte and Chad Knaus before they were famous crew chiefs. Also in the envelope when they returned it was a letter from Rick Hendrick on Hendrick Motorsports letter head thanking me for being a fan and for the support and signed by him. I thought that was a class act. The other thing that surprised me was the picture was returned to me fairly quickly. Like in a matter of a month or 2 compared to a year like normal. That told me it must have been a popular request around the shop.
2nd story, we were in the pits before a race at Michigan watching Dale Jr’s crew set up there pit stall. A kid asks one of the crew guys to sign his diecast. He of course was happy to do it but the look on his face was priceless, like are you sure you want me to draw all over your expensive die cast?
So basically for me personally I respect the job that you guys do and that makes it special to have your autographs to show you are all part of the team. I also love the articles on your web site!
on May 7th, 2009 at 6:33 am
T.C., I think you guys are stars as well. You may not be the big names like Carl Edwards, Dale Jr, or Shrub but you are still on tv every weekend. The way I see it, if a person is a Tony Stewart fan you do not pull for just Tony but you are pulling for then entire team. No matter how great the driver, the pit crew is a substantial part of that driver’s success. A race can be won or lost on pit road!
on May 7th, 2009 at 6:37 am
Absolutely! I listen to the radio chatter between my driver and his crew chief and spotter during every race and appreciate what each member of the pit crew brings to each race. Successful pit stops are a vital part of each driver’s success and I wish there was more attention paid to individual crew members. I’ve gotten to “know” the more publicized crew chiefs through tv interviews. If I were at a race and had the privilege of going to the pits, I would definitely want pictures and autographs!
on May 7th, 2009 at 7:24 am
SURE IT MAKES SENCE TO ME YOUR PART OF THE RACE TEAM I AM JEFF GORDON FAN IF IT WAS NOT FOR YOU GUYS MY DRIVER WOULD NOT BE WHERE HE IS WITH OUT YOU GUYS
on May 7th, 2009 at 8:33 am
As a fan that does this very thing I can tell you why I do it. This is a team sport, yes the driver is the “star” or the face of the team, but it is still a team! You should know that you are appreciated by the fans as you are the backbone of the team. While you might not get the glory and fame like the driver where would that driver be without his team?
One of my prized possessions is my Raybestos of ROY hat from when Ryan Newman was the ROY. I was fortunate enough to gain garage passes and had him sign it. Well that wasn’t enough to me, I was able to get his crew and Matt Borland and the crew chief as well as the crew members. (For the record they were surprised when I asked them too!)
So, while it might surprise you to know that some stranger wants your picture and autograph, please sign and say cheese for us crazy fans who can’t get enough of our NASCAR!
on May 7th, 2009 at 8:36 am
TC, I think since access to you is much easier the fans just want to be able to feel like they are part of the action. A few years ago I took my wife to her first race in Texas. She is a huge Mikie fan. We were invited by NAPA. We had passes to pit lane. She found the NAPA pit and was watching for some one to come into the pit and do something. Here comes this crew member who was glueing lug nuts to the wheels. She walked over and started talking to him, the next thing I see them do is he has her glueing and taping the lugs down on the wheels. She had me take several photos of this. I think she remembers the experence of glueing the lug nuts more than she does the race. That photo of her and the crew member hangs framed in her office right next to the picture of Mikie. I think its a way for the fans to become part of the team and become a true part of the race. It des not matter who she had her picture with it was being part of the moment.
on May 7th, 2009 at 9:11 am
I’ve been to a few races and enjoyed pit passes. You wanna know what? The best conversations I’ve had have been with the pit crew guys. They’ll talk to you. Drivers get way too busy. The best time I’ve had on pit road prior to a race was a 15 minute chat with an MWR Gasman. The driver is only part of the TEAM. So is the pit crew. It’s true you’re a regular guy… but your a regular guy who happens to happens to be on a Cup Series pit crew. Yeah, I’d like your autograph too! (I promise not to share!) Keep up the good work.
on May 7th, 2009 at 9:30 am
You’re right on w/ the autograph thing. I have no idea what fans do w/ this stuff. I have met Junior Johnson, Harry Gant, Jay Frye, Benny Parsons, and the King. I have no autographs, just the pleasure of telling everyone even remotely interested that I had those fortunes. I can also say that my dad told me he shook hands w/ the great Max Baer. That’s easier to remember than where that autograph would be now.
on May 7th, 2009 at 9:34 am
Personally, at a racetrack I’d be more likely to seek out the crew. Like you say, you are “regular” guys. I’m a Robby Gordon fan, I don’t want to meet him though. I can tell from his personality on TV that I probably would not like him. That would just leave me disappointed.
You guys get more credit with fans than maybe you realize. We know if it were not for guys like you the “stars” could not do their job. I love to see a crew pull off a miracle pit stop and gain their driver spots on the track. At many tracks the pit stops are the most exciting part of the race.
Many times during a race at a “cookie cutter” track I am reading a book while the race is on, during pit stops I always put the book down and watch. I can’t speak for every fan out there but for me you guys are the show.
on May 7th, 2009 at 9:54 am
T.C,
You are a little crazy for not getting why people are interested in crew members as well as just drivers. You’re a vital part of a passtime that people love and the true fans know just how important your role is. An analogy to other sports comes to mind, and you may see yourself as the waterboy to the football team, but in reality you’re the offensive linemen. You’re in the trenches, getting dirty, doing the hard work with your hands that allows the quarterback/driver to execute what he needs to do. It’s not unheard of for football fans to ask for autographs from every member of a team, and this is no different. If anything, people in your position are more approachable than a professional football player because of the way NASCAR is set up. Pit passes and open garage areas allow fans to directly interact with NASCAR teams, exposing fans to more than just the driver on the television commercial. With that mindset, I’d rather have the autograph of someone who I felt is approchable and I got to shake hands with personally .
on May 7th, 2009 at 10:10 am
You don’t give yourself (yourselves) enough credit.
“My” driver is Kasey Kahne. But “my” team is the #9 TEAM, from Kenny Francis right on down. So if I see one of the Bud guys at the track, and I have the opportunity, I will ask for an autograph.
The driver is the public face of a huge team effort. So, to me, the tire changer or the jack man are as much a part of team 9 as Kasey and Kenny are.
And the team as a whole has done some pretty miraculous things with equipment that isn’t the best; I was there for the All Star race last year and I saw for myself what a team effort can accomplish.
So, to make a long story short(er), yeah, you guys are celebrities, too! : )
on May 7th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Not only do I want your autograph, I also want to know who you are.
I know you guys have to stay anonymous, but it would be so cool if I could watch your successes and failures during pit stops and think -hey… I know that guy. I read his blog.
It would give me one more team to cheer for, if you don’t work for one of my favorite drivers already.
on May 7th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Bobby#7Fan…I kinda figured out a while back that you are a “Robby” Gordon fan and I am as well. I thought the same way about him having seen him race in the CART series and then meeting him in Daytona years back. But he was very approacheable and a regular guy. I don’t think he gets enough credit in CUP, the guy can drive. He just needs to put it all together consistently, on a smaller budget than most.
Drivers wouldn’t get very far w/o speed chariotts built by and serviced by the you crews on the road and at the shop.
TC and Journo-I hope to never see an autographed photo of either of you, the honest inside perspective would be lost forever. Stay anonymous!
on May 7th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
I agree with everyone here. I think part of the reason may be the overwhelming awesomeness of someone being in the pit area for the first time. My first pit experience was at Richmond & all I did was hang around Ward Burton’s pit box staring at the guys doing their job & trying to stay out of everyone’s way. My mom, like me, was gawking around like a tourist & was in the way of a CAT crew member trying to get a dolly load of tires to the pit. I grabbed her arm to get her out of his way & told her if she’s going to hold anyone up, don’t hold up this guy (we had our CAT gear on). He stopped & talked to me for a bit then reached into his pocket & pulled out a greasy rag that contained five lugs that he said were hot off the #22. I thought this was the coolest thing in the world & have the lugs proudly displayed on my wall. Yes, I framed the lugs & greasy rag.
My friends call this the story of Licker’s nuts.
So I don’t find it unusual for fans to be really excited by being in the pits & wanting to take in all they can from the experience. It’s an every day event for you T.C. but a once in a lifetime opportunity for some people.
Nowadays though, I prefer to drink beer in a field before races instead of going to the pits.
on May 7th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
As previous people said, you are part of the team and probably the closest any of the fans will get to their favorite driver. When I am online with my friends during the race, we cheer. Not only for our driver, but for the pit crew too. What you do back at the shop and at the track allows the driver to do what they need to do.
Of course it works both ways too. When we hear that you have messed up, it’s always, uh-oh xxxx is going to get it.
on May 7th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
If you compare the drivers to rock stars, you guys are the band. You may not be holding the microphone, but you’re on the stage and that’s intriguing. There’s no show without you and the rock star isn’t a star without a whole load of talented support.
I would guess the majority of those that admire you guys and request autographs, pictures, conversation, etc., just realize that this is a TEAM sport. They respect you as part of the team and as others have mentioned, I’m sure you all come off as more approachable.
Consider it the best of both worlds, you get a touch of the celebrity life when you’re on track and you can still walk around in the outside world unharassed … by strangers anyway. Those who know you will probably continue to harass at will.
on May 7th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
As already previously stated by others, I am interested in pit crew members for several reasons:
1. You are the reason the driver has a chance to win;
2. You are possibly a future crew chief;
3. You are more accessible (and sometimes more friendly) to the fans; and,
4. You work just as hard at obtaining, and keeping, your job as the driver does.
Keep up the good work and always remember you are the “back bone” of the team.
on May 7th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
As others have said, more and more fans are realizing how much of a true team sport Nascar truly is. For example, no matter how great Denny Hamlin did at Richmond, it was a pit stop that doomed him. You guys are the Offensive Line so that the quarterback can throw the pass. Kenseth fans are well aware of how great his pit crew has been in the past. Having nicknames like the “Rainbow Warriors” and “The Killer Bees” helps the overall team feel as well.
Often times when fans are trolling pit road before a race, it’s the crew that’s out there preparing the pit, glueing on lug nuts, whatever it takes. So yes, you guys are often closer to the fans these days than the drivers. It should come to no surprise when the fans embrace that, after all it was the proximity and availability of its stars that drew many fans to Nascar. Sadly this aspect seems to have decreased as popularity increased.
Also this is something that Fox has helped dramatically. Even though I ripped them a new one in one of my recent blog posts, this is something they’ve done a really good job with. They put you guys on camera. They introduce you to the world. You’re on TV!! So now fans have names and faces to go with the people they normally only see helmets on.
Congratulations for you. You should take these requests as a huge compliment from fans and remember just how important you and what your represent are to them. And always smile for the camera.
on May 7th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
My dad’s favorite picture from a race is of him posing with the pit crew from Mark Martin’s AAA team.
Same race, one of the members of our group (a Harvick fan) couldn’t make the race because his wife was in the hospital. We took at #29 hat down to his pit box, explained the situation, and within 3 minutes everyone in a Goodwrench uniform, and then some others from RCR, had signed the hat.
In neither situation was the driver anywhere near pit road, but the fact that these groups of people took 3 minutes out of their busy day to talk to a couple fans meant the world to us.
on May 7th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
The most talented actor or actress is nothing without a great supporting cast. That’s what the Pit Crew and “the guys back at the shop” are. All of the driving talent in the world doesn’t get fresh tires on, fuel in and adjustments made to the car.
In my opinion, you guys are just as important to the race as the driver. I would definately want pictures and autographs from everyone on the team.
on May 7th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
As a former rear tire carrier, I can relate whole heartedly. But as a former rear tire carrier, I know how much work you guys put in, the time and effort required to be among the best, and the dedication and love of the sport that you all share. I know some get nice paychecks, but I know most would do it for free. I know I did, when I got to carry tires for Morgan Shepherd at the TMS race a few years ago. Most fun anyone could have.
As a fan of this sport since I was a child, I appreciate all of the teamwork. And the ability to talk to all of the crew guys is amazing. Our sport is very interactive, and I believe that is why it is so popular. Yes, we are all just regular guys/gals. Remember, smile pretty for the camera, because we all appreciate the work that you guys do.
on May 8th, 2009 at 8:47 am
I am not sure how other fans feel, but I think it’s very cool to get to meet and see some of the crew of any driver in any series. Even though you are not the main attraction, your still part of the show. I have had the chance to be on pit road during a race last spring at AMS. Seeing pit stops on tv is one thing, seeing them live in person was something that just blew me away. All of you guys have an important role on the team, thus the word team. Yeah maybe Mark or Tony or Dale drive the car, but if you guys didn’t fix it and perform the pit stops, they would not finish the race!! So to all the crew guys, my hats off to you!!! You Rock!!