Great NASCAR teams have not only, great drivers on the track, but also great pit crews waiting on pit road. You hear about the crew when a driver enters pit road for a tire change, gas, or mechanics work. But do you know how they find the people that are working on the cars?

Crew School This school is specially designed for mechanics that want to get on a NASCAR pit crew. The course is fourteen weeks long and is based on what a crew does. Here is an outline of the courses that you would go though while in Asheboro, North Carolina:

Week 1- Introduction, Basics of ruler, fractions and bolt and nut sizes, technique or power tools, remove body and prep for installing, remove roll bars, bend and fit new bars, Prepare the chassis.

Week 2- 6- Build and mount a new body, sheet metal, strengthening supports, and release system.

Week 7- Learn accessory building; brake lines, oil lines, wiring, shocks, wheel bearings, engine accessories, and techniques.

Week 8 & 9- Installing parts; engine, transmission, rear end, radiator, etc.

Week 10- Track preparations; tires, organizing pit car and inventory truck, assign pit positions, and radio and pit communications.

Week 11- Orientation; garage conduct, travel conduct and credentials

Week 12 & 13 Race weeks; Inspection, practice adjustments, qualifying and race prep, pit set up and pit stops.

Week 14- Final week review, creating a resume and a mock interview.

This 14 week program will cost you $12,500.00, and has a 70 % employment rate after completion. Current pit crews go to the school when they have an opening on the team. The school has been active over 25 years working with students to become qualified race team members. Stock Car Racing Career Development is designed to be hands on and prepare students for NASCAR. They also help current teams find the right person for their team. In order to do this they give students track experience as a crewmember, and train them to do modifications last minute to meet rule changes, and they are trained to mechanically prepare the car and maintain it.

If you are looking to be on a NASCAR pit crew be prepared for a lifestyle change. At school there will pit crew members that come and talk and explain what being on the team will affect your family life. Not all pit crew members however don't have to travel on the circuit. There are some that work in the main shop at the team headquarters. It all depends on what you want to do.

Learn more about this author, Kassandra Garcia.
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