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Average life span on pit road
This weekend at the Glen a fan brought up an interesting comment to me. They asked me how old i was and how long i had been carrying tires. After that they started asking questions about the average age of most people on pit road and also the age by position. I didn't give it a lot of thought until i got home and started talking to the wife. I guess everyone on pit road would probably answer the same way i did to the man that asked me the question by saying "I want to carry as long as i am competitive". Its a generic answer but a true one. So it begs the question of this: How old is the average pit crew member and what position has the longest and the shortest span on pit road. I have my thoughts and opinions but i want to here yours. DT should have an interesting opinion on this one considering we talk about it each year and we always ask each other how much longer we have. Im 29 and he's mid 30's. Its kind of a guessing game for the fans but give me your opinion on what you think is young, old, to young, to old, and what positions have the longest and shortest shelf lives on pit road. Im just curious to see what the public thinks. Holla
August 13, 2008 | Permalink
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I don't think "age" should be much of a factor. If you feel you are able to do your job without hurting yourself or others, then just keep doing it. Changing tires in NASCAR is hard work no doubt about it. But only "you" and your body will know when it's time to quit. Doesn't matter if you're in your 20's, 30's, 40's etc... If you aren't sore all week and your still getting the "times" you need, then do it until you are sore or just burned out or ready to take longer vacations than in Dec and some of Jan.! Nevr let ANYONE ever tell you when it's your time to stop!
Posted by: Steve in Myrtle Beach | Aug 13, 2008 10:24:05 PM
Not sure about this. You guys work out pretty hard, so I would think with proper conditioning, stretching, health and good genes you could definitey go into early 40's. JMO
Posted by: Kendria | Aug 14, 2008 2:12:07 AM
Well this is an interesting question. I am 25 and have been jacking for 5 years now. I really think it depends on a lot of things. How you take care of yourself (example lifestyle, diet, exercise regimen, etc.) has atleast 70 percent to do with it. Just an arbitrary number so we'll say majority. I also think the type of crew you work on has something to do with. I think the crew I work on doing faster stops on the speed chart puts a stronger shear force on my knees and joints. Mainly my knees. I can only speak for the jacking position but there is quite a bit of twisting motion and grinding of the joints in awkward positions where your leaning, whipping, spinning, 60+ plus pound tires or 35 pound jacks. To wrap the point up if your on a faster crew like the 17 you really have to concentrate and exert quite a bit of physical force on your body as opposed to a half second slower crew where I could get away with 60 percent of what I have to do on my team and still be ahead of the changers. Hope this helps.
Posted by: JacksCars | Aug 14, 2008 7:45:54 AM
So what team are you on jackcars.
Posted by: Huck | Aug 14, 2008 7:50:20 AM
I gotta say for myself, I went out with a win and doing outstanding pitstops. My body was hurting for the last few years and when I got the opp to start coaching the young kids how to do this I jumped at it. I am having a blast showing younger, and in some cases more talented than I was when I started, guys the ropes. My body still hurts but it is all not from going over the wall. To anscer the question. I guess it depends on the level of pain and what not. I am gonna say 38-40 carriers. Changers can and have gone to 45. But this sport is going young and fast Trent.
Posted by: Dancing Bear | Aug 14, 2008 8:54:46 AM
dancing bear id say your body was hurting from carrying all that wait around and some (alcohol abuse) but hey whos the pot and whos the kettle.
its all mental and physical toughness, if you can handle the pressure of going over the wall mentally and you are physicly able to do the job than you can be a mike trower or joe piet.
plus if you are lucky enough to be on a front running team then you usually enjoy your job more so than running 15th or worse every week.
Posted by: fraek | Aug 14, 2008 2:19:44 PM
LMAO, although I do remember lounging on pit wall and what not with probrably one hell of a pit crew on one of those back markers. Pretty stout lil group we had.
Posted by: dancing bear | Aug 14, 2008 7:04:14 PM
I will so be thinking of you all while I am at the beach this weekend. Adding on to my balast of'course.
Posted by: dancing bear | Aug 14, 2008 8:06:29 PM
ah yes the old bret bodine days, how can we forget.
Posted by: freak | Aug 15, 2008 8:04:11 AM
Hey Trent,
I'd agree with the post saying your body will tell you when.
But, you're probably good til' your job can be done by a younger and cheaper person.
Posted by: Larry | Aug 16, 2008 5:36:45 PM
Hey Trent,
Would like to modify my response. During today's race, thought about your read. A good answer to your question may be, where are the Rainbow Warriors, today? Seeing the 4 time champ struggle on pit road was new to me. I don't mean the political part of their demise. But, where are they now? It was my understanding that they were "specialists" for race day. Is that so and do they still work on pit road?
Highest profile pit crew guy made me think of Bill Wilburn. See him crew chiefing, so he is still making a living after the knees got thier callouses.
Hope that you can hang in there and help move Penske thru this frustrating time.
Posted by: Larry | Aug 17, 2008 8:55:22 PM
OK Partner, you are 29 years old.
Looking back, I believe that I was at my best, mentally and physically, between 30 years and 39 years old. Even at the time, when I was 34 I knew that I was at the top of my game at whatever I did.
Everybody is different, and your body will tell you when to call it quits.
It will start with recovery time after you beat yourself. Then you will know that it's time to look for an easier job.
Eric
Posted by: Eric M | Aug 17, 2008 10:12:06 PM
Huck I am on the two car
Posted by: JacksCars | Aug 18, 2008 3:12:53 PM
Trent, that's a question I've not given much thought to. I agree that it probably depends on many factors, size, shape, conditioning, and maybe even genetics. So, it's probably an individual thing. I can tell by watching that it's quite a workout! I'm sure most of you are in good shape. I would think the desire to remain at this job would also factor in. So, is there an answer? I'm also curious to know if there is a contract for the pit crew similar to the drivers, in terms of years, etc? Thanks for all the hard work!
Posted by: Donna | Aug 19, 2008 10:58:54 AM
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