The teams have three separate crews. One driver’s team has mechanics, who are mainly responsible for engine and car maintenance. Next, the pit crew has two to three members who work with the driver in the pits during races. They will make the driver safer by doing everything that the driver can’t do while racing, like changing tires or replacing suspension parts.
They are all the same. They are all positions that you go in and help the driver out of the race car, but it differs from person to person. They are all paid fairly well.
Pit crews can earn over $30,000 a year, but some of them even earn more.
What is the Salary / Job Duties in a NASCAR Pit Crew?
Crew Chief
Crew chiefs are very well paid, some earning up to three million dollars a year. They must pay their own travel and accommodation costs, and the team often has to pay a fee to the sanctioning body for the crew chief’s services.
Pit crew members work together to get the car into the pit for a pit stop. During a race, crew chiefs manage pit stop strategy while the drivers are concentrating on the race. Pit crew members use specialized tools for fixing a car during a pit stop. The crew chief is the boss, so they have to lead their crew to success.
Jackman + Fueler
A jackman or fueler can make up to $3,000 per race, which is the second-highest-paid member of the pit crew. They can get an extra $500 per race if they’re part of a winning team.
The jackman is one of the most important team members during a NASCAR pit stop. This team member uses a jack to lift the vehicle during a pit stop, so the tire changers can easily swap the tires during the race. This role requires impeccable timing and reflexes, so the vehicle can be lifted and lowered efficiently to avoid delays during the pit stop.
If a car needs refueling during a race, the fueler jumps over the pit wall with a large gas can on its back to refuel the vehicle. The fueler must be able to work precisely and quickly (without spilling fuel) not to risk spilling fuel over the cars of other pit members, resulting in a dangerous situation or injury.
Spotter
The tire changing team is the same as the jackmen and fuelers. They all perform the same job and are paid the same. They also win $300 per race. I got the information from www.tirechangers.org
In addition to the tire changers, and even the jackmen and fuelers, there is a group of people who don’t do anything on the track but still get paid.
They are called the pre-race group.
You can view the list of people on the pre-race team here.
The spotter is the second most crucial member of the crew, because the spotter is responsible for keeping an eye out on the driver, reporting any passing opportunities or debris on the track, and keeping an eye out for the flagman while reporting any penalty flag signals.
Tire Changers and Carriers
After the race, each tire changer and tire carrier is compensated a base salary of $1,500 per race or an additional $80,000 in the final year. They get up to an additional $300 for winning.
As a NASCAR fan, you could say that your favorite driver is the one that best performs in the NASCAR race because of his skills. There are two important parts in changing a tire: the first one is the gun that twists a bolt off and on, and the second one is bringing the old tires onto the pit lane and returning old tires to the garage. But, these do not happen automatically, as in a movie; these can be done by two persons. The person that twists the bolt off and on is called the tire changer while the other person is known as a tire carrier.
Utility Man
The utility man is the lowest paid member of the pit crew and only gets $500 for race day. They are usually paid an hourly rate, which is why they are the lowest paid. The tire changer is next in pay and then the rest of the pit crew according to their positions.
If you have ever been in the pit, you have probably seen the crew members ripping off the safety film on a car’s windshield. They also water the driver with a hose, and provide them with a drink of water, so they can perform at their best.
How Do You Join a NASCAR Pit Crew?
NASCAR teams are known for their precision and ability to change the tires before the race. If you’re interested and want to know more, check out the NASCAR Motorsports Tech Training Program.
If you want to become an engineer, then you first need to be a generalist. While you will certainly learn about automotive engineering, you’ll need to know a lot about other fields as well.
But, be warned. Like in many other sports, there can be a lot of politics and backstabbing in NASCAR. While it’s always important to get along with your co-workers and your bosses, it’s also important to know that “all is fair in love and racing.” If one employee doesn’t like another, they will try to throw dirt on the other driver’s car. If that doesn’t work, it’s even easier to throw a wrench at the competitor.
Conclusion: How Much Do NASCAR Pit Crews Make?
While you may not be familiar with NASCAR, you definitely know the feeling of having been in a pit stop. Those people working outside the pit box can literally make or break a race, and often their positions aren’t as stable as you would think. In addition to the job’s responsibility, their compensation is also pretty good. They make anywhere from $250,000 to $1,000,000 a year after performance bonuses.
